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Lake Poway Day Camp

Show All Answers

1. Will my child receive a camp t-shirt?

All campers will receive one Lake Poway Day Camp t-shirt per summer, regardless of the number of sessions they are enrolled in. For your child's safety, camp t-shirts are required on field trip days. Camp field trips are held once per week, usually on Thursdays.

2. Who supervises Lake Poway Day Camp?

Staffing, which ensures a safe, memorable, and positive day camp experience for all campers is our number one priority. Experienced City of Poway staff serve as on-site coordinators and program directors and all participants, activities, and field trips are carefully supervised. Day Camp counselors go through extensive pre-employment screening and are all CPR and First Aid certified.

3. How many days per camp week do campers get to swim?

Campers swim one day per week, when camp is held at Poway Community Park. Campers wishing to swim in the deep end must pass a weekly swim assessment administered by City of Poway lifeguards. Campers who do not wish to participate in the assessment or who do not show sufficient swimming ability must remain in the shallow end of the pool. While in the pool, campers are supervised by City of Poway lifeguards and LPDC counselors.

4. If I have questions about Lake Poway Day Camp who should I call?

The answers to most commonly asked questions can be located on our Day Camp website. For questions regarding camp registration, waiting lists, or refunds, please call the Community Services Department Class Registration line at 858-668-4570. If you still need assistance, please call the Lake Poway Day Camp line at 858-668-4776.

5. Does my child need to bring a lunch to camp?

Campers are responsible for bringing their lunch and beverages from home each day, including field trip days. Please include several snacks and several bottles of water for your camper, as campers are very active at camp. Refrigeration is not available for lunches, however, they will be stored in a shady area at camp. Please label all lunch boxes/bags and reusable water bottles. A snack will be provided later in the day to campers participating in the extended care program.

6. Does my child need to wear closed toe shoes?

For safety reasons, we require that campers wear closed toe, athletic shoes to camp each day. Lake Poway Day Camp is filled with outdoor adventures where campers spend time hiking, participating in active group games, and exploring the outdoors. Sandals, flip flops, Crocs, and wheelies are not safe to wear at camp. We ask that your child wear closed toe shoes on swim days and water themed field trip days, as well, although we encourage you to pack sandals for them to change in to.

7. What if my child is still learning how to swim?

All campers participate in a swim assessment on pool days. Based on this assessment, campers are assigned specific areas of the community pool where they are allowed to swim. Campers are supervised by LPDC group counselors and City of Poway lifeguards while in the water.

8. What if my child doesn’t enjoy competitive games and sports?

Lake Poway Day Camp places an emphasis on cooperative games where the focus is fun and everyone is a winner. Group counselors teach creative group games like Jedi dodgeball, octopus tag, and capture the flag where teamwork is key and specialized athletic skills are not necessary for success. We encourage all campers to try each activity at least once to ensure a well-rounded camp experience.

9. Who is on-site at camp if there is an emergency?

A camp lead is on-site at all times. Each of our camp leads and group counselors are trained in First Aid and CPR, and emergency medical services are minutes away. Before camp begins, all staff participate in an emergency response training that focuses on camp safety practices and procedures. In addition, the park is patrolled by Lake Rangers.

10. How do you help protect campers from the sun during camp?

Campers are required to bring a bottle of sunscreen in their backpacks each day. We also recommend that they arrive to camp with a layer of sunscreen already applied. Group counselors ensure that their campers re-apply sunscreen throughout the day, stay hydrated by taking water breaks, and enjoy plenty of activities in the shade.

11. How do you deal with the heat during camp?

Days are spent playing games in shaded areas, participating in unique camp adventures, and exploring the outdoors. Group counselors ensure that their campers take plenty of water breaks and enjoy a balance of both active and more reserved activities. Counselors are well-trained to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

12. What if my child needs medication at camp?

Lake Poway Day Camp follows strict guidelines with camper medication. If your camper requires medication, please be sure to fill out all of the necessary paperwork that can be found on the Forms Page. We are unable to accept medication without these forms, which also require a physician's signature. On the 1st day of each camp week, we collect medication during sign-in, and store it in a locked area. During the camp day, medication is administered by our on-site camp lead. Inhalers and Epi-Pens will also be collected during sign-in. Group counselors will carry inhalers and Epi-Pen with them at all times to ensure they are accessible when necessary.

13. How are camp groups organized?

Campers are grouped by age and grade into coed groups. Camp groups consist of 8 to 10 campers and are supervised by a group counselor and CITs. Although the camp as a whole participates in similar activities throughout the day, each camp group's activities will be modified according to age and ability level. For this reason, it is not possible to group children of differing ages.

14. Can I send a family friend or babysitter to pick up my child from camp?

As long as your family friend or babysitter is listed on your child’s pick up authorization slip, you are welcome to send them to pick up your child. If they are not listed on the authorization slip, staff will not release your child to them. Additions to your child’s authorization for pick up slip must be made, in person, by a parent or legal guardian.

15. What if I can’t pick my child up by 4 p.m.?

Lake Poway Day Camp provides an extended care program as a service for working parents that are not able to pick up their children by 4 p.m. This program runs from 4-5:30 p.m. Campers will automatically begin transitioning into the extended care program at approximately 4pm. If you are not able to pick up your child by 5:30 p.m., you are responsible for making alternative arrangements, as staff is not authorized to work past program hours.

16. What time do I need to drop my child off for camp in the morning?

Camp activities officially begin at 8:30 a.m., however, you are welcome to drop your child off as early as 8 a.m. Each morning when you drop your child off at camp, you will need to sign them in at the check-in table. If you arrive late, please sign your child in with his/her group counselor.

17. Does Lake Poway Day Camp offer discounts?

Lake Poway Day Camp does not offer discounts. Instead we offer one of the most cost effective day camp experiences available in San Diego County. P.L.A.Y. scholarships (PDF) are available to Poway residents only.

18. How do you screen your camp staff?

All of our camp staff undergo a lengthy and thorough interview and background check process, that includes fingerprinting, completing a medical exam, and drug screening, prior to working at Lake Poway Day Camp. Staff also participate in an extensive training program prior to the start of summer.

19. What does CIT stand for?

CIT is short for Counselor in Training. Our CIT program is designed for teens, ages 13 to 17, who are interested in developing leadership and communication skills, participating in outdoor adventures, and having fun. Each week CITs assist a day camp group as they go swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, create arts and crafts projects, play creative group games, participate in exciting field trips, and explore the outdoors. The CIT program is ideal for those teens who have aged out of the traditional day camp program, yet still want to participate in all the fun that the program offers. Participation in the CIT program is not a guarantee of employment. CITs may request a letter acknowledging their volunteer hours from either the lead counselor or the camp coordinator.

20. What does LPDC stand for?

LPDC is short for Lake Poway Day Camp. Since Lake Poway Day Camp is a mouthful, and tough to incorporate into camp cheers and songs, it’s often used as the abbreviated version of our camp name.