General Information About Summer Connections

GENERAL INFORMATION

For more information, fill out a quick inquiry form and we’ll send you specific information for Summer Connections 2022. 

D-E 360° Summer Connections Virtual Open House Presentation

Registration

Enrollment for the Summer Connections program is open to all students.  Students can be registered at any time online, by phone during business hours at (201) 227-3144.  Business hours are: Monday – Friday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Registration is available through our website at SC2022 Registration. All Summer Connections offerings must meet minimum enrollment numbers by June 1, 2022 for the classes to proceed.  Early registration is encouraged and allows us to guarantee Summer Connections offerings at earlier dates, as soon as enrollment is sufficient.  A $150 non-refundable deposit must be submitted at the time of registration.  Note: grade levels refer to the grade the child will enter in September 2022. Please complete all sections of the registration in their entirety. Complete registrations also include a non-refundable $75 application fee per camper. Application fees will be waived for registrations made before March 15, 2022.  Payment for the courses/programs for which you are registering must be paid in full ten days prior to the start date.   You will be set up with a username and password so you can return to the registration form at any time. Families registering more than one camper from their immediate family (e.g. brother, sister) will receive a discount of 5% per additional camper* and will be applied at registration check out. Sibling discount begins March 16, 2022.

*(limited to 3 siblings/discount applied to the lowest tuition)

Enrollments are limited and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If an offering does not meet the minimum enrollment, it may be canceled. Registrants will be contacted via email and asked to select another offering or refund will be given. Payment can be made by credit card through the online registration system, CampBrain. Registration will not be complete until full payment is received.  

 Note that there are additional textbook costs for academic courses offered through the Junior Scholars and Scholars Programs.  Textbooks may be purchased from any vendor.  The textbook title, ISBN and author/publisher will be provided at the time of registration for academic courses. In the cases where there are fees for other course materials or special field trips, the fee amount is provided along with the cost of the course/program in the course descriptions provided.  Confirmation of registration will be emailed when payment is processed. Any additional information about Summer Connections including confirmation of schedules, camp procedures and policies will be sent one week prior to the start of the program.

Enrollment will close two weeks prior to the first day of a scheduled class/program or once maximum enrollment is reached; early registration is encouraged because availability for every class/program is not guaranteed.  Once the maximum enrollment in a class/program is reached, it will be closed to new registrants. In addition, completed medical forms are due before a student can be admitted into any classroom. Those students who do not have all their paperwork on file will not be able to start any classes/programs. The school reserves the right to cancel or change the time of any course; students will not be penalized if the course is canceled. In the event of cancellation, the Summer Connections staff will work to ensure placement into alternate courses. Tuition and fee refunds will only be issued in the event that a class/program is canceled by Dwight-Englewood School.  

Enrollment Eligibility

Enrollment for the Summer Connections program is open to all students. The Dwight-Englewood Summer Connections program provides a variety of opportunities for students grades Pre-K through Grade 12 from public, parochial, and independent schools. A combination of introductory, enrichment, and advancement courses in a number of academic disciplines, the arts, and athletics, allows for diversity of study. The Summer Connections faculty is comprised of Dwight-Englewood School teachers and carefully selected educators from other schools. Small class sizes ensure opportunities for personal attention and the academic progress of each student. At Summer Connections, a part of the experience provided by the school is to set behavioral expectations clearly and to help students learn to follow these expectations.

What you can expect from DE360° Summer Connections Camps and Classes

When your child attends a DE360° program at Dwight-Englewood School, you can expect a safe, caring, supportive, educational environment that fosters independence and a desire to learn in all participants. Knowing that all children need support to be successful, we do our best to accommodate all children who are interested in our programs.

While we offer top-notch programs, we may not be the best program or have the right support in place for all children, especially those requiring special medical, behavioral, or social support. Please contact us with questions about whether Summer Connections programs offer the right experience and support for your child. Email us at de360info@d-e.org.

What DE360° Summer Connections Community expects from campers and students

We expect that all participants will demonstrate care, respect, and responsibility at all times while with us. We expect participants to exhibit self-control, to be nice to others, and to follow simple instructions.  Disciplinary actions are seen as educational rather than simply punitive. In the event of inappropriate actions by a participant at camp, a warning will be issued. If the action continues, the child will sit out of the ongoing activity and a parent/guardian will be notified.  Fighting; swearing; disrespect to a director, faculty, staff member, or another child; abusive language; physical abuse; stealing, etc., are actions contrary to DE360° Summer Connections behavior goals and will be looked upon as cause for termination with no refund of fees.  All participants are expected to abide by the rules and regulations outlined in the current Dwight-Englewood School Handbook

Lunch provided by Dwight-Englewood’s Dining Services

Food is provided on campus through D-E’s Dining Services. For Summer 2022, we are working with Cater To You (CTY), our new food service provider. Chef Alex Stanko, who is here on campus daily during the school year as CTY’s Director of Food Service will continue to be a part of our Summer community. Food service will be a bit different until we are able to safely resume the dining model we have had in the past. New procedures are in place to ensure the safest preparation possible.  Participants will be provided with a variety of pre-packaged items from which they may choose.  Menus will be provided in advance by the week so that we know what options are available.  This will be a cultural change for us; I do think you will be encouraged by both the quality and freshness of what will be offered amidst the important critical packaging and serving practices we must follow to safely provide food safely.

We anticipate that most meals will be taken al fresco.  In the event of inclement weather, we have two dining halls: one in Drapkin Hall for younger campers and the other in the Wharton Lessin Dining Hall for Scholars, Junior Scholars, and Immersive participants.  Prepared meals and snacks are included in the price for all our programs this summer. There will be a retail option for students as well as faculty and staff who may be interested in purchasing their meals. Lunch fees are included in the cost of attendance and are non-refundable. For more information, please contact the Summer Connections Office.

Note: Food may not be ordered from off campus restaurants or services. To protect participants from the risk of contracting COVID, the campus will be closed to visitors throughout the program day, including food delivery services.

Summer Connections Schedule

The schedule for DE360° Summer Connections runs from June 27 through August 5. For specific dates and times, please look in the specific sections of our website by the Program and/or grade level indicated.

Summer Connections programs begin at 9:00 AM*

To ensure supervision, students should not arrive earlier than 8:30 AM. The Library and Dining Hall will open at 8:30 AM for all Enrichment and Scholars students arriving before class begins. After classes end, Immersive and Scholars students may wait to be picked up at Umpleby Hall.  Please inform the DE360° SC Office if your child cannot be picked up by 1:30 PM and needs to register for AfterCare, which is open to children through Grade 5. 

*Scholars classes begin at 8:20AM

Campus Access / Closed Campus Policy

The Closed Campus policy means that visitors are not permitted during our summer programs. Any exception to this policy must be arranged in advance. Students are not permitted to leave the campus for any reason other than program-sponsored activities while attending DE360° Summer Connections.

Photography

Photos (images) become the property of Dwight-Englewood School upon signing the application. Permission is granted for images to be taken of all students and used for promotional materials.

Dwight-Englewood School is a nonprofit corporation and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and New Jersey Association of Independent Schools. Dwight-Englewood School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in its admissions, employment, or the administration of any of its programs.

Accreditation

Accreditation is provided by the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools for Dwight-Englewood School. Summer Connections is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA).

Course Credit

Credit is awarded by Dwight-Englewood School in terms of units. Six units are the equivalent of one Carnegie credit and are awarded to major courses that meet five days a week during the regular academic year. Three units are the equivalent of ½ Carnegie credit and are awarded to minor courses that meet two or three times a week during the regular academic year. If a student wishes to receive credit for summer work, prior approval by that student’s principal or guidance counselor is necessary. Course descriptions and syllabi for advancement courses are available upon request.

Refund Policy

Please understand that our programs are kept small to facilitate learning, and many fill up quickly. Last-minute cancellations keep other participants from enjoying our offerings. Thank you for your understanding. A $150 non-refundable deposit must be submitted at the time of registration.  Complete registrations also include a non-refundable $75 application fee per camper. Application fees will be waived for registrations made before March 15, 2022.  Payment for the courses/programs for which you are registering must be paid in full ten days prior to the start date

Cancellations made in writing on or before May 15, 2022 may receive a full refund of the tuition. Any cancellation requests made after May 15, 2022 will not receive a tuition refund. Two exceptions: 1) Tuition refunds will be made only with the presentation of a medical rejection slip or a doctor’s certificate before the participant is scheduled to attend the program for which they are enrolled; and 2) Tuition and fee refunds will be issued in the event that a class/program is canceled by Dwight-Englewood School. There are no prorated fees or refunds for campers arriving after the start of a session, leaving before its completion, or missing any time during a program. Summer Connections fees are non-transferable. 

Schedule Changes

For Discoveries and Adventures participants, once a cohort has begun, schedule changes may only be made by the end of the first day.  Our Operations Team is available to help families make different selections. 

“Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) Designated Courses

Technology has become part of our program’s culture in all classrooms. Over the years, we have had an ever-increasing number of requests for students to bring their own devices to Summer Connections.  Since our goal is for all teachers to integrate authentic use of technology in classrooms, we are encouraging students to bring technology to Summer Connections for educational purposes.

Students in classes designated as BYOD will be expected to bring a laptop that meets minimum requirements or any brand Chromebook. A tablet with a keyboard is also acceptable, but we find that the mobile platforms of these devices limit the functionality in some learning activities. Students who enroll in courses designated BYOD must identify during the registration process whether they commit to bringing a personal device to Summer Connections or whether they would need to have the program supply a device for the course.

Students may bring any brand Chromebook. The Chromebook MUST have wireless internet to function. They may also bring a PC laptop with Microsoft Windows 7 or Windows 8 operating system, and minimum 4 GB RAM of memory.  Antivirus protection is the owner’s responsibility. We currently allow Apple laptops purchased within the last three years. Although iPads and other model tablets are convenient for most purposes, the mobile apps do not provide some of the features needed in class.

Immunization Policy

Dwight-Englewood Immunization Policy: The health and safety of our campers is of paramount importance. Participants in Dwight-Englewood Summer Connections programs are required to maintain age-appropriate vaccinations in compliance with the school’s immunization policy and NJ state law.  For further information, please contact the D-E 360° Summer Connections Office at DE360info@d-e.org before finalizing your registration.

Medical Forms

The Summer Connections Team seeks to ensure that the children enrolled in every class, program and camp are happy, safe and well looked after while they are in our charge. In this vein, we require parents to provide us with their child(ren)’s medical history, specific health needs, and permission to administer emergency treatment.

The State of New Jersey requires the following information and forms for each child attending our programs:

  • Permission to Treat form. Parental consent to administer emergency medical treatment. This is completed during the online registration process.
  • Written health history. This is completed during the online registration process.
  • Immunization form. All Summer Programs registrants must submit an immunization form. This must be a form from your doctor’s office OR a copy of a letter stating your exemption from immunization. Forms must have the doctor’s office official letterhead and address. Forms or letters should be scanned (preferably as PDF files) and uploaded to the registration portal. See directions below for uploading forms.
  • Medication Authorization Form. Children who require medication during the camp day – including an inhaler and/or emergency EpiPen – must have a Medication Permission Form on file with Summer Connections Programs.
  • Download Medical Authorization Form.
  • Upload completed form to the registration portal. See directions below for uploading Forms.

Medical Action Plan. Children who require a medical action plan for food allergies, seizures, diabetes, asthma, or any other medical condition will need to have a copy of their action plan signed by a doctor. Parents can submit the action plan provided to the child’s school or can complete the templates provided and upload to the registration portal. See directions below for uploading forms.

International student participants: Our programs are day programs and do not offer any residential options. However, some international students have chosen to travel with a group with local accommodations or stay with a relative and enroll in our programs. All international students are required to meet the same standards for immunizations and other information. In particular, international immunization records need to include an up to date Mantoux test (TB test). Contact our Health Director with any questions you might have.

All submitted forms – immunization records medication authorization and action plan forms must be scanned (preferably as a PDF) and uploaded to the online registration portal. ALL REQUIRED MEDICAL FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN June 1, 2022. The earlier we have them the better for our medical staff.

Summer Connections Medical Forms:

COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

Social Distancing requirements limit each group, or “pod”, to 12 children.  Six-foot social distancing is maintained within the pod, and all pods must adhere to a 10’ distancing requirement from all other pods.

Morning Drop-Off:

All children should be dropped off in the driveways outside their designated areas on campus.  Staff will be there to direct the traffic. Please move slowly and cautiously. 

Parents will not be permitted to exit their cars.  Our staff and directors will assist children from cars.  If a child cannot buckle their seat belt themselves, the parent can exit the car to assist the child.  DE360° staff will not be able to buckle campers into their seat belts.

All parents and children should wear a mask as we will be taking the child’s temperature every day and asking parent’s the following questions:

  1. Fever reducing medication administered?
  2. Symptoms (Fever, cough, shortness of breath)?
  3. Household members with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath?
  4. Close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
  5. Parent/Guardian COVID-19 Essential Personnel?

Masks on Campus: 

  • Participants must wear a mask on campus.  We will have occasional mask breaks throughout the day. Please provide your child with a Ziploc bag with their name on it so their mask can be placed in the bag. Participants are advised to carry at least one extra mask. 
  • Campers will use hand sanitizer before entering their tent and meeting with their pod
  • Staff will need to wear masks throughout the day; in the event that staff need to come within close proximity to participants, face shields will be worn.

Daily Health Screening Procedure: 

  • All staff and participants must provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to the start of each cohort period. Participants enrolled for one to two weeks will need to test only once; participants enrolled for three to four weeks will need to test twice; and participants enrolled for all six weeks will need to test three times.
  • A daily health survey must be filled out by each participant’s family prior to the start of each day.
  • Children or staff who have a fever of 100.4 or above or other signs of illness will not be admitted onto campus for their program.
  • All staff and campers will have their temperatures taken at drop of and throughout the day with contactless temperature scanners.  
  • Medical staff will make a visual inspection of the child for signs of illness which could include:
    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or running nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

    A designated isolation area will be used for children who develop symptoms during the day and are waiting to be picked up immediately by a parent/guardian.  A trained member of our staff will remain at an appropriate distance with the child to keep them comfortable.  The area will be equipped with the appropriate PPE supplies.

    A daily log of the Child/Staff Health Screening and Attendance will be maintained in the event we must do contact tracing with the city’s local health department.

    If a Camper or Staff Member develops COVID-19 symptoms at Camp:

    Campers and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms will be directed to the quarantine/isolation area and will be evaluated and monitored by the Camp Nurse.  Parents or guardians will be notified so transport home can occur quickly.  Staff Members, who are able to drive, will be escorted to their cars.

    Communication with your primary healthcare provider will be advised to determine if testing for COVID-19 is appropriate and to determine other causes for the symptoms.  Campers and staff are not able to return to camp if a COVID-19 diagnostic test is pending.

    If a Camper or Staff Member tests Positive for COVID-19:

    The confidentiality of an individual who reports a positive COVD-19 test will be maintained.  All families and staff of the individual’s group or “pod” will be notified immediately. DE360° personnel will follow the reporting guidelines established by the CDC and NJ Department of Health and will include contact with local health authorities.  This contact and communication will determine the program’s appropriate course of action and follow-up.

    When Campers and Staff can return to Camp:

    Campers and staff with symptoms and who tested positive for COVID-19 can return to camp when:

    The answers to ALL of the following questions is YES

    • Has it been at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared?
    • Fever free for 3 days (72 hours) without the use of fever reducing medication?
    • Has it been 3 days (72 hours) since symptoms improved? 

    OR The answer to ALL of the following questions is TRUE:

    • Fever free without the use of fever reducing medications.
    • Improvement of respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath).
    • Two negative COVID-19 tests collected > 24 hours apart.

    Campers and staff without symptoms and who tested positive for COVID-19 can return to camp when the answer to both of the following questions is YES:

    • Have at least 10 days passed since your first positive test?
    • Have been without any subsequent illness and remain without symptoms?

    OR The answer to the following is TRUE:

    • Two negative COVID-19 tests collected > 24 hours apart.

    You may refer to the following documents provided by the NJ Department of Health:

    Cleaning Supplies and Equipment:

    The campus will be stocked with the cleaning, disinfecting, and PPE equipment as required by the State guidelines.  Supplies include gloves, masks, paper towels, soap and water solution and disinfectants.

    Campers and staff will practice frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and shall be required to wash or sanitize their hands:

    • Upon arriving at camp
    • Before lunch
    • After activities using shared items (balls, hoops, etc.) by their pod
    • Use of bathrooms
    • Before leaving for home

    Additional Precautions:

    • Participants are not permitted to bring any toys or athletic equipment (e.g. balls) from home.
    • The daily schedule around lunch/snacks will allow time for hand washing cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces and materials.
    • Participants will remain with the same staff and their pod, for the duration of the week and, as much as feasible, for the duration of the 6 week Summer Connections season.
    • One group at a time will be permitted on the playground.  The playground will be cleaned between groups.
    • Each child will have their own set of supplies such as crayons, glue, markers and scissors which will be in a Ziploc bag with the child’s name on it solely for their use.  

    General Health & Safety

    Summer is a great time for our campers, especially those in Grades 5-12, to explore their passions and interests beyond the norm of the classroom experience.  Our programs, which include everything from gardening to crafts to electronics, provide direct hands-on learning for our DE360° Summer Connections (SC) participants. The safety and security of all our campers is of the utmost concern.  We hope you can help us by speaking with your child(ren) about what they might encounter while they are with us.

    Tools, Equipment & Materials:

    Many of our offerings involve working with tools, equipment, and materials that may be new to some students.   Our SC faculty/teaching assistants provide instruction and supervision to ensure Students are using this equipment and materials as safely as possible.   In the event of injury, our SC Director of Health is available to assist.

    Heat:

    With recent high heat indexes (related to high temperatures/humidity), our SC faculty and teaching assistants are especially focused on ensuring that students stay cool. Please talk with your child about the impact of heat. Should he/she experience any of the following heat related symptoms, the student should reach out to the instructor and/or counselor immediately: confusion; dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration); dizziness; fainting; fatigue; headache; muscle or abdominal cramps; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;  pale skin; profuse sweating; rapid pulse/heartbeat.

    Hydration:

    • High heat indexes over the weeks of summer can also cause dehydration.  Students are strongly encouraged to arrive at camp with water canteens and to refill them often. We also have some re-usable Summer Connections water bottles for purchase.
    • Water fountains for refilling are located in various locations around the D-E campus.   In addition, there is a water station above Leggett Field.
    • In addition to staying hydrated, students are encouraged to wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in light colors.
    • SC faculty and teaching assistants are also focused on reminding students to stay hydrated and be attentive to signs of dehydration, including excessively dry lips and tongue, sunken eyes, dizziness, and/or loss of energy.

     Sunscreen:

    • We strongly urge SC parents to apply sunscreen on their children before bringing them to camp.  Older students should consider bringing sunscreen to re-apply during the course of the day.
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