It is Independence's mission to inspire our students and that mission doesn't end in June! We believe that summer activities - even the most fun ones - create exciting possibilities for growth and discover in many new and different ways.
The Independence School offers a wide variety of summer camp options for students age 3 through grade 8 beginning June 17 through August 16. All programs take advantage of our safe, expansive 90-acre campus and air conditioned facility. Other features include numerous athletic fields and a 57 sq. ft. outdoor classroom, full day camp and specialty camp options, morning (7 - 9 a.m.) and afternoon (4 - 5:30 p.m.) extended care, and an on-site nurse.
Camper's Checklist
Each day campers should bring the following items labeled with the child's last name.
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks and lunch (full-day campers)
- Creek shoes
- Change of clothes
- Bathing suit and towel
- Plastic bag for wet clothes
- Sunscreen (must complete form)
- Rest mat (3 & 4 year olds)
Please do not bring cell phones or electronic devices to camp.
Arrival / Dismissal
Safety and Security: Please note that our building is locked at all times. We are limiting the number of people entering the building again this summer. Parents/Guardians are asked to remain outside during the arrival/dismissal time. Please email Jen Hayes at jhayes@indyde.org if you have a need to enter the building. You may also call the summer camp desk at 302-239-0330 (ext 4) if you need assistance.
Summer Camp Entrance
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Enter the campus off of Paper Mill Road onto Rita’s Way
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Pass the Courtyard Loop and continue around the playground
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Turn LEFT into the Summer Camp Loop
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Parking is available in the loop and also the upper parking lot
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To exit, proceed to the stop sign and turn left onto Rita’s Way
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Follow Rita’s Way around the back of the school around the gym to exit campus
Arrival
Extended Day: 7 a.m. - 9 a.m.
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Campers attending extended day will enter at the summer camp entrance.
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The door is always locked but a staff member will sit at the desk and monitor the door to allow campers to enter.
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Please pull along the curb in the summer camp loop and walk to the door.
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There is a buzzer to ring and an intercom system to communicate with staff.
Start of Camp: 9 a.m.
There is a 9 a.m. arrival procedure to expedite dropping off campers. You may still choose to park and walk your camper to the entrance. Please note that we are limiting the number of visitors entering the building again this summer. We ask that you allow our staff to safely escort your camper to their camp classroom.
Staff will be outside to assist with drop-off. Please have your campers ready to exit the car to keep the car line moving. If you choose to use our car line drop-off procedures please:
- Enter the Summer Camp Loop
- Pull along to the curb to the left and have campers exit from the left
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Staff will assist younger campers out of the car
- As the line begins to form on the road outside the loop, please use the center lane
- Pull forward in line, but please be cautious of campers outside other vehicles
- To exit, proceed to the stop sign and turn left onto Rita’s Way
- Follow Rita’s Way around the back of the school around the gym to exit campus
Dismissal
End of Camp: 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
For dismissal, please create a sign to place on your dashboard or placed at the driver's side window with the name(s) of camper(s). A simple piece of paper with larger letters that are easy to read is helpful to keep the car line moving.
Please note that staff will assist campers to their cars in the car line. We are not legally allowed to buckle your child with a seatbelt or in their car seat at dismissal. If your child needs assistance, kindly pull forward past the sidewalk or into a parking spot to buckle in your child. This helps keep the car line moving.
- Enter the Summer Camp Loop
- Pull along the curb to the left. Campers will be called to your car
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Staff will assist younger campers
- As the line begins to form on the road outside the loop, please use the center lane
- Pull forward in line, but please be cautious of campers outside other vehicles
- To exit, proceed to the stop sign and turn left onto Rita’s Way
- Follow Rita’s Way around the back of the school around the gym to exit campus
Extended Day: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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Campers leaving extended day will exit at the summer camp entrance.
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The door is always locked but a staff member will sit at the desk and monitor the door to allow campers to leave when parents/guardians arrive.
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Please pull along the curb in the summer camp loop and walk to the door.
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There is a buzzer to ring and an intercom system to communicate with staff.
Policies and Procedures
Summer at Independence is committed to the health and safety of all campers throughout the summer. Please see below for some general information as well as medical related policies. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
General
Behavior Policy
All students must conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner while attending Summer at Independence camps. Any camper who is involved with inappropriate behavior that raises significant concerns will be subject to immediate dismissal and forfeiture of payment.
All campers must be potty trained before camp begins. Campers are required to have independent bathroom skills without the use of pull-ups.
Payment and Cancellation Policy
- Payment can be made by check or cash. At this time, we do not accept credit card payments.
- Registrations received before May 1, require a deposit of 50% of the camp balance. After May 1, the full balance is due.
- A full refund will be offered for camps canceled prior to May 1, less a $25 cancellation fee.
- After May 1, there is a 50% refund for cancellations of day camp with two full week's notice.
- Refunds are not given for late withdraws or absences.
- There will be no refunds on speciality camps after June 1.
Field Trips
On-site visitors, an electric train, inflatable water slides, obstacle courses, and bouncy houses, and just some of the things that will be planned throughout the summer. Campers will not be transported off campus to participate in any of these activities. Please note these activities are for Day Campers ONLY as the specialty camp teachers have set schedules planned for the week.
Health & Wellness
Staff/Camper Illness
Food Policy
- Parents and/or guardians will be responsible for providing healthy snacks and lunches for the camper.
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All campers should bring their own reusable water bottle to camp. There are water filling stations for campers to use.
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Campers are not allowed to share meals or snacks with other campers.
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The nurse will contact a parent or designated guardian as soon as it is determined that snack/lunch has not been brought to camp for the day.
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Indy does not offer refrigeration or microwaves. We suggest ice packs and thermoses for cold or hot items.
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No peanuts or peanut products will be used at camp for eating, touching, smelling or cooking. Parents are allowed to pack peanut products for their own children. Peanut/nut free tables will be available at snack and lunch to accommodate any children with peanut or nut allergies.
Medication
All medication including prescription and over-the-counter medications (not checked off on the Magnus Over-the-Counter Medications form) require a Medication Form to be completed. This form is below and requires a physician’s signature. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original container. Prescription medication must come in the original box or container along with the pharmacy label and be delivered directly to the nurse.
Procedure for Dispensing Medications During School
- ALL MEDICATIONS, including over-the-counter products, require the “Parental Request for Dispensing Medications” form to be completed and sent in with the medication. Medication should also be labeled with child’s name, name of medication, dose and time. Medication must be sent in its own purchased box or pharmacy bottle. Please do not send in medications in baggies!
- HERBAL MEDICATIONS must be sent in original bottle, and the “Parental Request for Dispensing Medications” form must be completed. In addition, literature explaining the purpose, dosage and side effects and a physician’s note are required.
Procedure for Dispensing Controlled Substances (Ritalin, Methylphenidate, etc.)
- All medication must be in original container labeled with name, time, dose, date and number of tablets sent. An adult must bring this medication to school.
- A completed “Parental Request for Dispensing Controlled Substances” form must be sent with medication. Please note the physician’s signature is required.
- The nurse will count the tablets upon arrival.
- Any changes in dosage must be accompanied by a written note
- from the physician specifying the change.
- At the end of each school year, any remaining tablets will be counted and the number indicated on the bottle. It is required that an adult pick up this medicine. Medication not picked up will be discarded.
Peanut Policy
The Independence School has a Peanut Policy stated below. Please note this only pertains to peanuts and no other food allergens.
- Parents should not send in food that contains any form of peanut product to share with the class. Please read all labels to ensure that cross contamination with peanuts has not occurred during production.
- Home baked goods or store bought food may be shared with the class, only if the ingredient labels and/or recipe is provided to check for cross contamination with peanuts during production.
- No peanuts or peanut products are to be used in the classroom. This includes the use of peanuts for eating, cooking, growing or smelling. This does NOT mean parents can no longer pack peanut products in their child’s lunch.
This policy is to be followed school wide but does not prohibit parents sending in peanut products for their own children.
Signs and symptoms of possible allergic reaction:
- Flushed face and/or skin
- Rash/Hives
- Itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth
- Dizziness/Fainting
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain
- Itchy ear/eyes or watery eyes
- Coughing or sneezing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
Please keep us informed of any student whose allergic status changes. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please call us.
Sun Safety
Asthma and Allergies
Lunch Program
Summer at Independence is partnering with Cafe Napoli to provide fresh, kid-approved lunches every camp day, for those who prefer to order and have their child's lunch delivered to camp. You can order as frequently or as occasionally as works for your family.
If you are interested in ordering for the first week of camp, please complete the Summer Camp Lunch Order Form. All weekly orders must be placed by the Thursday before, at 11:59 p.m. For the first week of camp, orders must be placed by Thursday, June 13. Please do not order lunch for July 19 as we are closed to celebrate the holiday.
For program information, instructions, and the weekly menu, click here.
FAQ's
- Does Summer at Independence offer lunch options?
- When is the last day to register for a particular camp?
- Non-Independence campers: In addition to a copy of my child’s current immunizations and a TB risk assessment form, what other medical documents are needed?
- Who do I contact if I want to tour Independence for a prospective student?
Does Summer at Independence offer lunch options?
Yes! Summer at Independence is partnering with Cafe Napoli to provide fresh, kid-approved lunches every camp day, for those who prefer to order and have their child's lunch delivered to camp. You can order as frequently or as occasionally as works for your family. Please see the "Lunch Program" tab for more details.
For those campers choosing to pack a lunch from home, please be aware that we do not offer refrigeration or microwaves. We suggest ice packs and thermoses for cold or hot items.
When is the last day to register for a particular camp?
Non-Independence campers: In addition to a copy of my child’s current immunizations and a TB risk assessment form, what other medical documents are needed?
Your online application will give us all the necessary contact and medical information, including the TB Risk Assessment form, which must be completed prior to your child attending camp. If your child has any medical problems, you may need to complete some additional forms and have them signed by your physician. Those forms follow below:
- Asthma Management Plan
- Parental Request for Dispensing Controlled Substances
- Parental Request for Dispensing Medications
- Severe Allergy Management Plan
Please feel free to contact our nurse if you have questions regarding which documents may be needed for your child.
Who do I contact if I want to tour Independence for a prospective student?
To schedule an appointment for a personal tour, please call the Admission Office at 302-239-0332 or email Donna Sentman, Admission & Financial Aid Manager. We also host Information Sessions during the year and offer other opportunities for you to visit our school.
Still have a question you don't see answered here? Please contact Auxiliary Program Manager, Jen Hayes. For questions regarding online registration, please contact Stacy Walsh, Auxiliary Program Specialist.
Contact Us
Camp Phone: 302-239-0330 (option 4)
Camp Nurse: Danielle Sigvardson, 302-894-8907 or campnurse@indyde.org
Auxiliary Program Manager: Jen Hayes, 302-894-8823 or jhayes@indyde.org
Auxiliary Program Specialist: Stacy Walsh, swalsh@indyde.org
Day Camp
Fun in the Sun: June 17 - August 16
Specialty Camps
Science, Drama, Chess & More!