Dawson School Summer Camps

CAMP REGISTRATION FAQs

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

Q.
Do I need to provide immunization records?

Yes. Children attending Dawson Summer Camps must provide us with a copy of your child’s immunization records.
Q.
Do you offer any kind of discounts and/or promotions?

At this time, Dawson Summer Camps does not offer any discounts or promotions.
Q.
What is your change/cancellation policy?

CHANGE / CANCELLATION POLICY:
* Cancellations made through March 31, 2022, will receive a full refund.
* Cancellations made from April 1, 2022, through April 30, 2022, will receive a 75% refund.
* Cancellations made May 1, 2022, up to two weeks prior to camp start will receive a 50% refund.
* No refunds will be given for cancellations within two weeks of camp start unless the camp is canceled.
Q. How do I register for camp?

Registration for summer camps will begin on March 1st. To register your child(ren), click on the registration link found on the homepage.
Q.
What do I have to do if I want to switch camps?

The Summer Camps Office can help with camp changes. Please send an email to summercamps@dawsonschool.org with your request. There is a $25 camp change fee that will be applied to all camp changes. If the change is made after 9:00 a.m. the Friday before your child’s camp begins, there will be a $60 camp change fee.

CAMP LOGISTICS FAQS

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

Q.
Who should I contact to report an absence?

Families should send an email to summercamps@dawsonschool.org to report a child’s absence from camp. This email is checked throughout the day and first thing in the morning, and it’s very important we know if your child will not be at camp so we don’t call around looking for them and know they’re safe.
Q.
What should my child(ren) bring to camp?

All campers should bring a backpack or bag with sunscreen, swimsuit, towel, pool shoes and bug spray. All campers have 50 minutes of swim time and plenty of outdoor time, so they should be well prepared with enough sunscreen and swim gear. Some camps require specific equipment; such as lacrosse camp and tennis camp. Please make sure to check your specific camp description for additional details on items to bring to camp.
Q.
Is there a swim test?

Yes, there is a swim test for all campers under 7 years. Jr. Adventure and Jr. Mustangs campers are not allowed in the deep end of the pool. Older campers who want to swim in the deep end will be required to show that they can tread water for at least one minute.
Q.
How deep is your pool?

Our pool ranges from 3 feet 10 feet.
Q.
What if my child doesn’t swim?

We do not offer one-on-one swim instruction or supervision at the pool. If your child is a non-swimmer, then we will require they wear a life-vest, which we can provide, while they’re at the pool. If you have a vest you’d like your child to have at the pool, please make sure your child has it in their backpack.
Q.
Who watches my child(ren) at the pool?

We care very much about safety at the pool, which is why we have hired an Aquatics Director who oversees our pool area. Along with our Aquatics Director, we have certified lifeguards who watch over all swimmers and non-swimmers at the pool.

Please note!

Dawson Summer Camps reserves the right to cancel any program that does not have sufficient enrollment.

General Summer Camp FAQs

List of 6 frequently asked questions.

Q.
What is your philosophy?

Dawson Summer Camps provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment in which campers explore new, challenging and educational experiences.
Q.
Is Dawson Summer Camp open to non-Dawson school students?

Yes! Dawson Summer Camps are open to not only Dawson students, but children from near and far!
Q.
Where are you located?

Dawson Summer Camp is located on the pristine, 107-acre campus at Dawson School at 10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026. Camps take place on the beautifully maintained fields and the state of the art buildings.
Q.
What is your camper/staff ratio?

We like to keep a 5:1 staff to camper ratio for our younger campers and a 7:1 staff to camper ratio for our older campers.
Q.
How many campers attend Dawson Summer Camps?

Dawson Summer Camps offer 8 weeks of fun, with over 1200 campers throughout the summer!
Q.
Are your camps tech-free?

Dawson Summer Camps are not technology free, however, we highly encourage campers to stay off their cell phones and to leave technology at home. We feel the use of too much technology can take away from the camper’s experience.

Summer Camp Staff FAQs

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

Q.
Who is the Camp Director?

Megan Carpenter is the Director of Summer Camps. Megan graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s of Science, in Business Administration. Her love of children led her to receiving a Master of Education from Arizona State University. Megan joined Dawson Summer in 2016 as a Director of Jr. Adventure Camps and All Sports Camp. In 2018, Megan joined the Dawson Summer team full-time as the Assistant Director. Megan also works in the Dawson School Business Office and helps with After School Academy in addition to coaching Middle School Soccer, Basketball and Volleyball as well as Varsity Basketball.
Q.
Who are your directors?

Many of our camp directors are full-time Dawson faculty, staff, coaches and administrators. We also have directors who are teachers at area schools and want to continue teaching throughout the summer. All of our directors enjoy working with children and are seasoned educators.
Q.
Who are your counselors?

Dawson Summer Camp counselors are young adults who love to work with children. Many are students and graduates of Dawson School. All of our counselors go through an application process and a full day of orientation and training to ensure they are well prepared for the summer ahead.
Q.
Are all of your staff CPR/First Aid certified?

Yes! All staff members who work at Dawson Summer Camps must be CPR/First Aid certified.
Q.
Do you have a nurse on campus?

Dawson School’s athletic trainer, Josh Lanham, is on campus throughout the day to assist with any bumps or bruises and to hand out medication. We also employ a nurse, Bryan Maki, who can be contacted anytime if we need extra assistance.

You're in good hands:

List of 2 members.

Shannon Pelkey

Director of Auxiliary Programs

University of Hawai'i, Manoa - Masters in Education
Seattle Pacific University - Bachelors in Exercise Science
Josh Lanham

Athletic Trainer/Assistant Athletic Director

Metropolitan State University of Denver - BS
Regis University - MS HSA

Questions?

For All Summer Camp Questions, please email summercamps@dawsonschool.org or call 303-381-0450.

Useful Camp Details!

List of 8 items.

Registration

To pay with a credit card: Register using our online system.

To sign up for Junior Adventure camp:
First, please register and pay online. Once you have registered your child(ren), please download the 2018 Junior Adventure Forms below. They include:
1. Dawson Summer Camp Registration Form
2. Consent for Treatment of a Minor 3. Dawson Summer Camp Waiver/
Medical Authorization 4. Immunization Form
All four forms need to be emailed to summercamps@dawsonschool.org or mailed to Sandra Tritt, Director of Summer Camps, 10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026, at least ONE WEEK before the start of camp.
Payment/Refunds/Camp Changes

PAYMENTS/REFUNDS:
All programs require full tuition paid at the time of registration. We understand that unexpected events can occur, so we have a refund policy that we believe will help.
A 75% refund is available for cancellations before March 31; 50% after that until two weeks before the start of your child’s camp. No refunds will be given two weeks before the start of your child’s camp.

CAMP CHANGES:
• After May 1, any changes are charged a $25 change fee.
• Last-minute changes (made after 9:00 a.m. the Friday before your child’s camp week) are charged a $60 change fee.
Camp Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We do not offer before or after care services. There will be a $10 late fee incurred for each child picked up after 4:15 p.m.
Camp T-shirts

A camp t-shirt is included with your camp tuition for one camp.
Lunch

Dawson provides lunch every day at no additional charge. Campers can choose from hot lunch, deli bar, salad bar, and fresh fruit. There are vegetarian options daily.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT'S FOR LUNCH
Swimming Pool

The Dawson swimming pool is open to campers each day. Those taking advantage of this chance to cool off should bring swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. Lifeguards are on duty. In order to help keep your child safe, you must notify us on your registration application if your child does not swim and needs a flotation device in the pool. The pool is 3 feet deep in the shallow end and 10 feet deep at the deep end.
Camper Health

During Dawson Summer Camps, staff pays close attention to campers’ health. The Director, Assistant Director, and camp counselors are CPR, First Aid, and AED certified through Colorado CPR & Safety Professionals. The staff works closely with a school nurse consultant to identify students with any health needs. The school nurse consultant appropriately trains camp staff and delegates healthcare responsibilities to them.

All information related to health or health needs must be addressed thoroughly. Because the camp staff is administering medications under RN delegation, a physician's signature and a parent's signature are required for all medicines, including over-the-counter products. This is not only mandated under the delegatory clause of the Nurse Practice Act, but it is also necessary for camp licensure. It also provides for the safe care of all the campers. Throughout the summer, an RN is available for on-call consultation.
Limited Enrollment for Camps

All camps have limited spaces, which are filled first-come, first-served.