Poly Prep Day Camp

Wow... that sounds pretty horrible. I'd definitely inquire as to the reason for the delay *and* find out what was meant by "losing a kid". Having taught pre-K a number of years ago, I can say that it's not unusual to be delayed by the constant collection/corralling of wandering kids. Losing a kid, however, is a much more serious problem and schools generally have a policy to alert parents if a child went missing for any amount of time during the day, even if they were found w/o incident.

It is scary that the camp wouldn't call you to tell you about the lateness -- but as someone who both was a counselor and a co-director at camps, the buses are somewhat outside of the control of the camp. We TELL them that they are to stop at X, Y, and Z and then they state the times. After day 1 or 2 we usually tell parents NEW times because the bus's times are never what they actually are due to traffic, etc.

Again, I am shocked that the camp didn't call parents to tell them about the lateness, but I would give them 3 days.

If it's a summer-long camp, and if it keeps up like this after this week - leave. If it's just this week, then getting a refund may be more difficult.

Either way, I would ask the bus driver and the bus counselor for his/her cell numbers when you drop off your kid again so that you can at least get in contact with a person on the bus

Subject: Poly Prep Summer Camp Responds To Sidewalker

Dear Sidewalker:

We hope you and your child are settling into Poly Prep Summer Camp. Our counselors report that campers are already enjoying the group games, arts and crafts, music, movement, dance, athletics, and instructional and recreational swimming we offer.

Although Poly Prep’s Summer Camp has been operating for 37 years and has a long track record of success, the first day of camp can sometimes present logistical challenges, given the large number of families and staff involved. Yesterday, we experienced a few problems with our bus transportation system. We apologize.

Please rest assured that at no time did we “lose” any children. One of our bus matrons overlooked some children already on the bus and, until attendance lists were reviewed and all children fully accounted for, we held buses back. We should have communicated this delay to parents, however. We apologize for the oversight.

We are working very hard with Dimino Bus Service, Inc., our bus company provider, to ensure smoother route coverage for those summer camp families using our bus service. We are also implementing an alert system (arranged by bus route number) to inform parents of any delays or logistical problems with buses, during either pickup or drop off.

Please be assured that the safety, learning and growth of your child are always our top priority.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via any of the means listed below, before during and after camp.

Sincerely yours,

Thank you.

Mike Junsch
Director of Poly Prep’s Summer Experience Day Camp
Land: (718) 836-9800 ext. 3420
Cell: 347-885-6179
Email: [email protected]

Ellen Kinnane,
Poly Prep Summer Camp Administrator
Land (718) 836-9800 ext. 3220
Cell: 917-755-5624
Email: [email protected]

Web: www.polyprep.org/summercamp

Mamacita wrote: "operating for 37 years" and only now it occurs to you have someone in the office to tell parents, or just answer the phones, when their child is 2 hours late coming home?

I'm not a parent, but I can totally understand (if all this info is accurate) how freaked out Sidewalk would be. 2 hours! I would be very worried if that was my baby.

Exactly. After 37 years, the kinks should all be worked out.

^ this. I'm surprised poster didn't call the police.

I'm a pretty laid-back parent, and get the fact that a bus schedule isn't always going to be accurate, but two and a half hours?? That's totally irresponsible and I'd be surprised if there isn't a swarm of angry parents for the camp to contend with. I don't know how these camp buses work exactly, but shouldn't there be a camp staffer on the bus who can be in communication with the school for these kinds of things? (Or if a camper gets sick, or if bad behavior happens, etc.?)

And, if you're relying on the camp as your summer child care, being an hour late for pickup isn't very cool either.

I have sent my kids there (they are now bigger and go to sleepaway). I am not affiliated with the camp in any way, shape or form.

My experience was fantastic. Bus slipups happen, but you also should have been given a direct number to the bus company. We were.

Honestly, to stand on the corner for 2 and a half hours doing nothing but waiting is insane. when we were there, we had phone numbers for the bus company, the camp office, and for Mike directly.

I've been in the nabe a long time, and sent my kids to a number of different day camps, and Poly's was far and away the best. Gorgeous campus. Great counselors. Your kids come home exhausted and happy.

it sounds like you're overreacting a little, it being the first day of camp and the first time sending your kid to day camp on a bus. Lighten up. Poly does a fantastic job and runs an amazing camp.

I understand exactly how you feel!! My youngest daughter (who is NOW 23!) went to Poly Prep Day Camp one summer when she was going to be in the sixth grade. We had the same problems the first week. However, I must say, once they got the bus routes and schedules down after the first week, it was smooth sailing after that!

^ how late was the bus today?

I think the word everyone is searching for is "unprofessional".

Just curious if OP sent their kid back to camp after that rant, and if so , how it worked out.

If, as Sidewalker mentions, they didn't answer the phone numbers provided after a second day of delays, I'd seriously consider taking my kids out of the camp. Any updates, sidewalker? I'm going to have camp-aged kids in the next few years and I'd like to know how PolyPrep handles this situation.