Parent/Guardian

Williston Northampton School

19 Payson Avenue

Easthampton, MA 01027

Welcome!

Camp Philosophy

The goal of the Amaral Soccer Academy is to help each camper develop their skills while enjoying a positive and rewarding camp experience. Campers will be evaluated based on their individual skill level, strengths, and areas for improvement. Both fundamental soccer skills and specialized drills will be taught, providing campers with the tools needed to continue developing independently after the camp concludes

Through this instruction, campers will grow as players and as individuals, gaining confidence to reach their full potential on and off the soccer field. Campers will learn not only the game of soccer, but also valuable life lessons it teaches. Along the way, they will make new friends and enjoy a fun, memorable camp experience.

By the end of the week, we want to ensure that every camper leaves a better player and with a greater love of soccer.

Message to the Campers from the Director:

As the Director of the Amaral Soccer Academy, it is my goal to ensure that each camper uses their natural instincts to reach their maximum potential. I will personally identify your strengths and areas for improvement and put you in a position that you will be able to maximize your abilities on the soccer field. I will help you improve the technical, tactical, and mental aspect of soccer and I will help you gain confidence so that you have the tools necessary to get to the next level.

Throughout the course of the week, I will teach you the fundamentals of soccer using the “Natural Soccer Method”, a unique approach to learning the game. You will be taught through imitation so you learn to play with fluidity and simplicity. I believe that the best players develop when no one is watching. Therefore, we will provide you with self-help drills so you will have the tools necessary to practice what you have learned at camp and continue to improve on you own.

Our soccer curriculum is designed in such a way that technical skills and tactical play build on one another. Through this disciplined, step by step “Natural” approach, to teaching the game of soccer, we guarantee that you will be doing things at the end of the week that you never thought you would be able to do. You will learn in game-like conditions with an emphasis on competition so that you will be prepared to use your skills on the field when the game is on the line.

All you need to do is bring a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a strong work ethic, and our experienced staff of coaches and counselors will do the rest.

Can’t wait to meet you on the field!!!

Sincerely,

John Amaral

Camp Director

Camp Staff

We are honored that you entrust your child to us at the Amaral Soccer Academy. Our coaches are selected by their experience at soccer and their enthusiasm and support of soccer players at every age and level. Many are coaches for local, travel and elite soccer teams. Some have played nationally and internationally. Others are collegiate players who have attended our camp in the past.

ALL of them are committed to providing your child with the best soccer experience possible!

Our staff is required to have background checks (CORI & SORI), sound work experience, and must complete the CDC Heads Up Concussion Protocol. They must attend an Orientation Meeting prior to camp where they will be trained in Camp Policies for Safety, Camp Expectations, Behavior Policies, Fire and Emergency Policies and Procedures and Contingency Plans for Late Arrivals, Timely Roll Calls and Attendance.

Health Care Consultant and Staff

Our Health Care Consultant will review Health Care Policies and ensure that our staff knows the Policies and Procedures for Mildly Ill campers, Health Checks for COVID19, Dehydration and Sunblock Usage, Concussion Protocol, and Camper Injuries.

Health Care Policy

The health and physical wellbeing of our campers ensures that they will have a positive and enjoyable experience at Amaral Soccer Academy. Our Health Care Consultant is available at all times and we have experienced, certified CPR/AED First Aid coaches as part of our Health Care Supervisor Staff as well. Amaral Soccer Academy at Williston Northampton School will set aside one room for the Health Care Consultant. Another room will be used as an infirmary and as a negative pressure isolation room for any camper or staff member who exhibits symptoms of COVID, or other communicable disease.

Parents/Guardians are welcome to call our Camp Medical Staff to discuss our health care policies or a specific concern.

This camp must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Health and the local Board of Health.

Health History and Physical Forms

All parents/guardians must complete the Amaral Soccer Health Care Forms and provide a copy of both a current physical and immunization records. It is a violation of state regulations to have any campers engaging in activities at camp without proper health information on file.

Mildly ILL Campers

While at the camp, our staff will monitor campers for signs of illness, fatigue, dehydration and other observable mild symptoms and will refer the camper to our Health Care Consultant.

Mildly ill campers will be evaluated by the Health Care Consultant or Medical Supervisor. Treatments will be administered per standing order and the Health Care Consultant will determine further steps, if necessary. If the condition persists or worsens, appropriate care will be administered and the parent/guardian will be notified. If the Health Care Consultant’s assessment suggests that your child is too ill to continue at camp, you will be informed so that you can pick your child up from camp.

Special Considerations for Extended Day Campers and 2 Week Campers

We ask that parents/guardians of Extended Day campers and campers returning for the second week also monitor their child’s health before returning to camp each day or after the weekend break. Please keep your child home and notify us if your child exhibits:

Fever over 100 degrees
Recurrent vomiting or diarrhea or nausea
Cold/Flu-like symptoms
Sore throat, particularly with swollen glands
Conjunctivitis
Any other illness or condition which may affect your child’s full participation in camp activities.

*Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for any missed days of camp.

Emergency Care:

The following steps will be taken in the event of an emergency injury:

In the event of an injury that requires emergency care, the Health Care Consultant/Supervisor will attend to the camper.

Should emergency care be required, the Health Care Consultant/Supervisor will call 911. The closest hospital is Cooley Dickinson in Northampton. Holyoke Medical Center, which is also nearby is an alternative.

In the event of an injury requiring emergency care, the parent/guardian of the camper will be notified as soon as possible by the Director or the Health Care Consultant/Supervisor.

Follow-up care will be provided in the event of an injury requiring emergency care in the appropriate manner as determined by the Hospital Medical Professionals.

In the event of a camper sustaining or exhibiting signs of concussion, the coach will remove the camper from play/training, and alert the Health Care Consultant/Supervisor. CDC protocol as outlined in the Concussion Training will be followed.

The Health Care Consultant and/or higher medical professionals will determine all decisions regarding clearance for play after injury. Camp staff members should feel free to contact the Health Care Consultant/Supervisor with any concerns regarding the camper.

Medications

The Camp Health History Form requires information regarding campers’ health history and special needs or concerns regarding their health and wellbeing.

Prescription medications will be administered only after parent/guardian completes and signs the “Authorization to Administer Prescription Medications” form. The Health Care Consultant will be responsible for storing and the administration of appropriate dosages. Medication must be in the original pharmacy container with the correct name, date, and instructions.

NOTE: Campers are NOT allowed to keep prescription or over-the-counter medication in their possession (with the exception of properly labeled asthma inhalers that have been approved by the Health Care Consultant after discussion with the child’s parent/guardian).

The Health Care Supervisor will have Tyleynol, Ibuprofen, Benedryl, and Visine on hand.

All medications are secured and administered by the Camp Medical Staff.

HIPAA Law prevents us from discussing, or divulging, medications or diagnosises and conditions.

Sun Protection, Insect Repellant and Hydration

The importance of hydration and sun protection cannot be overstated, especially on a soccer field in the summer. As a team, you as parents/guardians, we as experienced health care supervisors, players and coaches and the campers themselves can address this issue. Please include sunscreen in your child's backpack/luggage.

Parents/guardians and camp administrators should discuss the need for repellent with campers and what repellent(s) may be available at the camp. Use of insect repellents that contain 30% or lower of DEET (N,Ndiethyl- m-toluamide) are widely available and are generally considered to be safe and effective for children (older than 2 months of age) when used as directed and certain precautions are observed. These products should be applied based on the amount of time the camper spends outdoors and the length of time protection is expected as specified on the product label.

Use of DEET products that combine repellent with sunscreen are not recommended, as over application of DEET can occur if sunscreens need to be applied more frequently. It is generally recommended to apply sunscreen first, then insect repellant.

As a parent/guardian please make sure your child packs or brings:

Sunscreen Product (SPF 30 or greater)
Insect Repelllent
Water Bottle

Our staff will:

Make sure that there are frequent water breaks and encourage campers to drink water
Encourage campers to apply sunscreen and insect repellent frequently, especially before morning, afternoon and evening sessions
Act as role models, applying sunscreen and taking water breaks as well.
Provide shaded shelter for campers who need to sit out if experiencing overheating.

Campers will be responsible for applying sunscreen and insect repellent as requested. They will be reminded during the day, but are expected to apply it themselves.

Attendance and Release

Attendance will be taken daily at the beginning of each session, at the PM bed/room check, and a Roll Call/Head Count will be taken on an informal basis by the Coach each time the campers move as a group.

Day Campers should be dropped off at the field before 9:00AM so that the parent/guardian/authorized person can sign the Camper Attendance Sheet, and the camper can begin the morning session with the other campers. At 8:00PM, Day Campers can be picked up at the field after the parent/guardian/authorized person has signed the Camper Attendance Sheet.

The Parent/Guardian of Any camper who must leave at any time during the camp, must notify the Camp Director by phone and confirm with a follow-up email/text stating who will be picking up the camper, when the camper will be picked up and when/if the camper will return. The Parent/Guardian or Designated Individual must pick up the camper and complete a sign-out form. Upon return, the parent/guardian must accompany the returning camper and complete a sign-in form.

Campers will only be released to Parents/Guardians or Designated Individual(s) listed on the Camper Drop Off/Pick-up Release Form.

Fire Drills

In accordance with State and Local policies, a fire drill will be held within the first 24 hours of camp each week.

Fire drills will be conducted at each building. Each building has a posted evacuation plan on each floor.

Every coach will have copies of the plan for their buildings and will conduct a specific building and floor evacuation plan with their campers residing in the building.

In addition, every coach will have a camper list to take attendance when everyone is safely out of the building.

Plans for Unrecognised Persons

Amaral Soccer Camps are committed to providing a safe, secure and enjoyable camp experience. The safety of our campers and staff is paramount. In order to maintain this security, all staff members are trained to identify and confirm authorization for any unknown or unrecognized persons on the premises.

To ensure everyone's safety, parents are not allowed to be within the residential areas once camp is in session unless escorted by a staff member.

Campers will be cautioned not to interact with unknown persons and report any attempt by such a person to their coaches or the Directors.

Parents/guardians play a crucial role in this as well. In addition to reminding their children of basic safety rules regarding strangers, all Parents/guardians must specify who is authorized or unauthorized to have access to the children and notify any changes immediately.

In the case of Extended Day Campers, parents/guardians must complete a Camper Drop-Off and Pick-Up form with the names and contact information of all authorized persons. No camper will be released from camp to a person who is not authorized.

Emergency changes for authorized persons not on the Camper Drop-Off and Pick-Up form must be directed to the Camp Site Manager and followed up by text message.

Discipline Policies and Procedures

Amaral Soccer Directors, Coaches, Staff and Volunteers are committed to make the camp experience a safe, enjoyable experience for all campers. Positive reinforcement, clear expectations and good modeling are expected of our staff and our campers.

Unacceptable behaviors at camp may result in disciplinary action, suspension or immediate dismissal.

These include:

Endangering the health and safety of campers or staff
Continuing to disrupt the program
Refusing to follow the behavior guidelines and/or program rules.
Using profanity, vulgarity, obscenities, racial or ethnic slurs
Harassing other campers, physically or verbally, for any reason
Leaving the group without permission
Stealing or damaging the property of Williston Northampton School or that of other campers or staff.
Other camp expectations and rules will be discussed at orientation

Parents/Guardians are able to review background check policies, healthcare policies, disciplinary policies and grievance procedures upon request to the Camp Director(s).

For more information about regulations and parent information regarding Recreational Camps in Massachusetts, use the link below:

Link: https://www.mass.gov/doc/information-about-recreational-camps-for-children-in-massachusetts-questions-and-answers-for/download

AMARAL SOCCER SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

This is a list of things we suggest campers bring to camp. PLEASE leave expensive items at home (cameras, watches, jewelry, laptops or iPads). We recommend that campers do not bring unnecessary clothing and suggest labeling items with your name.

All personal toiletry items (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, soap, hairbrush, elastics, etc.)
Bedding (sheets, etc.) for a twin XL size bed (extra long sheets ARE necessary)
Blanket or sleeping bag (Please note dorms are air-conditioned and can be cool.)
Towels
Pillow
Refillable water bottle REQUIRED. (Water stations available).
Sunscreen and Insect Repellent (less than 30% DEET) REQUIRED.
Sweatshirts/pants if cooler weather is forecasted and waterproof jacket in case of rain
Soccer shorts and t-shirts (aside from those included in the uniform package)**
Soccer Cleats REQUIRED (playing surface is field turf and natural turf). Molded cleats allowed on field turf.
Sneakers/Trainers REQUIRED (for indoor play in case of inclement weather)
Soccer socks
Undergarments
Goalie Gloves (for keepers)
Shin guards REQUIRED
Comfortable clothes for in between sessions/night pajamas, flip flops for showers
Spending money (cash/Venmo) for snacks, pizza, or drinks (we have a Camp Bank so that parents can leave spending money)
Alarm clock
Backpack or boot bag

* NO SNACKS OR DRINKS OTHER THAN WATER ARE ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE DORM ROOMS

**Laundry: ONLY Amaral soccer uniforms will be laundered

***Amaral Soccer is not responsible for lost items or items left after the camp session is over.***

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