Jump To:
Camp Friendly
Ages 6-12 years
Camp Friendly is designed for participants who can engage appropriately in a small group setting (approximately 6 participants with 2 staff). Participants are expected to follow basic rules of safety and interaction, have a moderate level of independence with toileting, feeding and personal care needs, and easily understand and follow directions within their small group.
Program hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early drop off is available starting at 8 a.m. and all campers must be picked up by 5 p.m. Supervised camper-choice activities will be provided for arrival and dismissal hours. Participants should bring a lunch and two snacks each day. Activities include indoor and outdoor group games, nature activities, music and movement, arts and crafts, and field trips.
Camp Friendly is offered at two locations:
- Durant Nature Preserve – Located in northeast Raleigh. Durant Nature Preserve provides our camper’s lots of outdoor space and opportunities for natural resource-based recreation and environmental experiences. You will find more nature based, adventure type activities at this location.
- Carolina Pines Community Center – Located on Lake Wheeler Road. Carolina Pines hosts many other camps throughout the summer in addition to Camp Friendly. Utilizing the center’s many sport courts and fields, activity rooms and playground, campers will experience a more traditional type of summer day camp experience.
Under normal camp guidelines and operations, the following are examples of how staff and participants will engage at camp.
- Behavior: Staff will provide positive behavior support, redirection, preferred activities, and use behavior support strategies provided by families. Participants are expected to exhibit appropriate camp behavior, without presenting a safety concern to themselves, other participants or staff.
- Feeding: Staff will provide verbal and visual prompting, reminders, assist with placement of food, break up food into small pieces, open containers for the participant. Participants should be able to physically feed themselves.
- Participation: Staff will engage participants through multiple means of instruction, sensory engagement, supported transitions, and program modifications. Participants are expected to stay with their group, follow given/modeled direction, and demonstrate engagement during camp activities, during transitions, and in the community on field trips.
- Toileting & Personal Care: Staff will provide verbal and visual prompting, assist participant with pull-up/diaper and/or clothing. Participants should be able to clean/wipe themselves with minimal assistance from staff.
Camp Exploration
Ages 13 to 21 years
Camp Exploration is designed for participants who can engage appropriately in a small group setting (approximately 8 participants with 2 staff). Participants are expected to follow basic rules of safety and interaction, have independence with toileting, feeding and personal care needs, and easily understand and follow directions within their small group.
Program hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Early drop off is available starting at 8 a.m. and all participants must be picked up by 5 p.m. Supervised participant-choice activities will be provided for arrival and dismissal hours. Activities include indoor and outdoor group games, nature activities, music and movement, arts and crafts, specialists and field trips.
Under normal camp guidelines and operations, the following are examples of how staff and participants will engage at camp.
- Behavior: Staff will provide positive behavior support, redirection, preferred activities, and use behavior support strategies provided by families. Participants are expected to exhibit appropriate camp behavior, without presenting a safety concern to themselves, other participants or staff. Unsafe behaviors may include but are not limited to: biting, hitting, kicking, pinching, running, spitting, etc.
- Feeding: Staff will provide verbal and visual prompting, reminders, assist with placement of food, break up food into small pieces, open containers for the participant. Participants should be able to physically feed themselves.
- Participation: Staff will engage participants through multiple means of instruction, sensory engagement, supported transitions, and program modifications. Participants are expected to stay with their group, follow given/modeled direction, and demonstrate engagement during camp activities, during transitions, and in the community on field trips.
- Toileting & Personal Care: Staff will provide verbal and visual prompting, assist participant with pull-up/diaper and/or clothing. Participants should be able to clean/wipe themselves with minimal assistance from staff.
Camp Registration
Registration Requirements
All campers must complete the following components of our assessment process as a final step in the registration process.
- Forms: Families will receive additional forms that must be completed and returned.
*All camper forms must be completed and returned no later than 3 weeks prior to the camper’s first day of camp. - Interviews: Camp Supervisors will review the information and schedule a follow-up interview with the participant/family. Camp Supervisors may determine the most appropriate format to conduct the interview (live in-person for new participants and virtual/phone for returning campers). Interviews are part of our assessment process and allow us to the opportunity to learn more about the camper while providing a forum where we can provide answers and follow-up to more specific questions.
*All interviews must occur at least 2 weeks prior to the camper’s first day of camp.
Any paperwork not received, or interviews not completed by the appropriate deadline will forfeit the camper’s space at camp, at which time a full refund will be given.
After completing the assessment process above, if it is determined by either the family or the Camp Supervisor, that Camp Friendly/Exploration is not suitable for the camper based on our operational guidelines and supports available, we will grant a full refund for the weeks in which the camper is registered.
Questions? Please contact us at SRIS@raleighnc.gov or 919-996-2147.
Personal Assistants
Participants needing more support for behavior, feeding, mobility, participation or personal care & toileting must provide their own personal assistant. Campers with a personal assistant will be included in small groups and engaged in program activities by staff, while the Personal Assistant remains with the camper & group throughout the camp day to provide appropriate support as needed.
The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department Personal Assistant Policy requires paperwork to be submitted, and signed, from both the service provider and the parent/ guardian of the participant for approval. These forms must be submitted no less than two weeks prior to the Personal Assistant attending camp. Forms not submitted by the appropriate deadline will not be processed in time and the Personal Assistant may not be authorized to attend camp – if necessary, the family will be provided a full refund. Any participant registering with a Personal Assistant session should contact the SRIS Office at 919-996-2147.
For more information, please contact SRIS@raleighnc.gov.
