Policies and Procedures
Parent Guide
This page provides a summary of key T.R.U.E Youth Summer Camp policies and procedures. Families are responsible for reviewing the full Parent Guide before camp begins, as it includes additional details regarding daily operations, meals, field trips, attire, behavior expectations, pickup procedures, and other important camp requirements.
Cancellation Policy
If you choose to cancel or leave camp for any reason, please get in touch with us as soon as possible at camp@trueyouthfl.org or call/text the Summer Camp Cell Phone at 904-600-4243. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
Cancellation made on or before 5/29/26: T.R.U.E Youth will issue a full refund minus $40 per registered camper for administration and processing fees; the remainder will be refunded by check within 7-14 days of the cancellation.
Cancellation after 5/29/26: T.R.U.E Youth cannot offer any refunds or credits.
No Show/Illness Policy
Participants who do not attend camp (for any reason, including summer school or vacation) or who do not contact T.R.U.E Youth will not receive a refund or credit.
Participants who do not attend due to any illness will not receive a refund or credit for days or weeks missed.
Refunds or credits will not be issued for suspensions, withdrawals, or dismissals (ex. behavioral, attendance) after the start of the camp season on 6/8/26.
Attendance Policy
Due to limited seating and high demand, campers are expected to attend regularly. Campers enrolled for the full summer may miss up to five days total. On the sixth absence, the camper will lose their subsidized camp status and will be transitioned to the full weekly rate of $125 per week for the remaining weeks. Payment will be due immediately for the camper to continue attending.
To be counted as present for the day, campers must attend camp for a minimum of three hours. Campers who attend for less than three hours will be marked absent for that day.
No distinction is made between excused and unexcused absences. Absences may include missing camp for any reason, including illness, summer school, vacation, or attending for less than the required three-hour minimum.
Flex-Time Campers
Flex-Time Campers may only attend camp during the specific weeks selected during registration. Campers may not attend during unregistered weeks. Schedule changes must be requested in advance and are subject to availability.
Drop-Off and Pickup Policy
Campers must be dropped off and picked up in the designated areas. Each camper must be signed out by an adult age 18 or older. Campers will only be released to individuals listed on the authorized pickup list. Pickup list changes must be submitted in person or by email to camp@trueyouthfl.org.
Late Pickup Policy
Camp ends promptly at 5:30 PM. A late pickup fee of $5.00 per minute begins at 5:31 PM. Late fees must be paid in full before the camper may return to camp. After five late pickups, the camper may be disenrolled from the program without refund.
Cell Phone Policy
WE HAVE A NO CELL PHONE POLICY AT CAMP.
This opportunity could be one of the only times in your child’s life when they are disconnected from technology. Leaving phones at home allows campers to focus on being a kid, relationship-building and being 100% present at Camp. Cell phones brought to Camp will be confiscated. You and your camper are responsible for obtaining the confiscated cell phone at sign-out.
Counsel your child that if they need to contact home, they should speak with their counselor, the Head Counselor or the Director. Parents will be contacted if any problems arise or if their child is experiencing a challenge in adjusting to camp life.
*Cell Phones are a liability to camper safety: Research shows that cell phone use by youth in general can lead to bullying and unsafe environments. By removing a camper’s access to technology, we avoid possible exposure to the following:
- Bullying via social media
- Inappropriate materials
- Unauthorized photographs and videos of other campers
If you have questions or concerns about our Cell Phone Policy, please get in touch with our office at 904-600-4243
Bullying, Harassment, and Abuse
The T.R.U.E Youth Summer Camp will not tolerate bullying. Children who are found to be bullying (including, but not limited to, verbal abuse, and physical abuse such as hitting, punching, pinching, spitting, kicking, emotional abuse, and destruction of property) will have proper disciplinary actions taken up to and including being dismissed from camp without refund. Please tell your camper that if they are being bullied or harassed, to inform a staff member immediately. Bullying can and will be ended immediately once the staff members are made aware of the occurrence. In addition, staff members receive training on the topic and strive to ensure all campers have a positive, safe experience at T.R.U.E Youth.
The policy at T.R.U.E Youth Summer Camp is that behavior classified as any kind of harassment or abuse will not be tolerated by staff or campers. Such behavior results in immediate dismissal or termination and, if applicable, contacting of authorities.
Behavior Management
Our staff members provide positive and realistic expectations for campers. Reasonable limits are set to maintain the health and safety of all children in the program.
To promote positive behavior, emphasis is placed on guidance into constructive activities while adequate time is allowed for free choice and self-expression. Warnings, discussions of actions, breaks, or removing privileges are used when campers display inappropriate behavior or refuse to follow an established rule. In the event of continued problems, parents will be contacted for a phone conference to give guidance and establish mutually agreeable solutions for the child’s behavior.
We rarely send children home for disciplinary reasons, but if the child’s behavior is abusive (physically or verbally) towards other campers or staff, if the child’s actions pose a threat to the safety of others or himself/herself or if the child commits what could potentially be considered a criminal action, the parents will be called to come pick up the child. It is unfair to have one camper’s poor behavior ruin the experience of the other campers, which is why we reserve the right to dismiss a child who is unreasonably misbehaving without refund. In these rare instances, it is the responsibility of the parents to pick up their child from Camp immediately.
Field Trip Policy
Experience trips are conducted weekly. Please review the list of field trips this year. Normal departure from the facility is 9:00 AM unless otherwise noted. Campers need to be onsite and signed in to attend. Parents are not allowed to bring a child to the field trip location if the child misses the bus.
Campers cannot attend camp during the field trip hours but may be dropped off after the group returns.
No refunds will be issued if a camper is removed from a field trip due to behavior issues.
Field Trip Attire
Each camper will be provided a shirt to wear on field trip day. Parents will receive this shirt within the first week of camp. Please print your child’s name inside the shirt somewhere. Shirts must be worn on field trip day, or the camper will not attend the field trip. No refunds will be given.
If the camper misplaces, loses, forgets, or damages the field trip shirt, a new shirt can be purchased for $10.00