Please read the following policies prior to registering your child for camp. All camp fees are based on enrollment, not attendance. Please see our cancellation policy for more details on specific scenarios where your camper may miss days of camp.

Camp Fees and Payments

Waitlist:

If you are added to a waitlist and an opening becomes available we will automatically send an email to the first person on the list. If you receive a waitlist email, you will have 24 hours to respond and register for that program. After 24 hours, the next person on the waitlist will be notified and we will move down the list until the spot has been filled. If you purchase a camp off the wait list the 7 day cancellation with full refund including the deposit does not apply.

Most camps in previous years have had a waitlist so we often suggest that families register for a week in another camp in order to secure your spot. If there is an opening in your first-choice camp, we can move you and transfer the balance to the new camp.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Our cancellation period ends May 1st for the Summer. Until May 1st you may request to cancel your camp by emailing Admin@PInnacleExplorations.org For School-Year camps, cancelations after 48 hours of purchase will be refunded in full (less the $75 deposit) up until six weeks before camp. For School-Year camps, any date after the six weeks prior to camp will be handled using our “After May 1st” policy.

Before May 1st:

• Cancelations within the first 48 hours of purchase will be refunded in full, including the $75 deposit, with the exception of sessions that are purchased through the waitlist.

• Cancelations after 48 hours of purchase will be refunded in full (less the $75 deposit)

• You may always request to transfer your registration to another week of camp providing there are openings

After May 1st:

• No refunds given after May 1st

• Cancellations made three weeks in advance of your child’s camp session will be refunded as a credit, less the deposit

• Cancellations made less than three weeks before the start of your child’s camp session will not receive a refund or a credit

• You may always transfer your registration to another week of camp providing there are openings. Transfers can occur up to 5 days before the start of the session.

Missed Camp Days

We cannot refund fees for missed camp days, as your camp tuition is based on enrollment not attendance. We will not offer a refund for missed camp days camp due to vacation, calendar conflicts or personal choice. Please also read our Disclosure Policy and note that nondisclosure of medical, psychological or behavioral challenges may result in a child being sent home from camp midweek without a refund.

COVID-19 Refund Policy

• With a doctor’s note or proof of a positive test, we will reschedule for a similar session this season whenever possible. If it is not possible to reschedule your child’s session we will offer a full credit for use in the future.

• Due to our small group sizes, we are unable to offer refunds/credits for campers who must quarantine from close contact with someone with COVID (see health & safety policies below).

Financial Hardship:

In the case that your child is unable to attend camp due to a confirmed case of COVID-19 within your household, we will work with families on a case-by-case basis in order to ease the adverse financial effects of missing camp.

If Pinnacle Cancels your Session

• Facility: If Pinnacle cannot hold camp due to cancellation by one of our facilities, we will do our best to place your child in a program at another location. If Pinnacle is unable to place your child in another program we will offer a full refund.

• Low Enrollment: If we must cancel due to low enrollment, a full refund including the deposit will be issued if we cannot place your child in another program. We will notify all families enrolled in camps at risk of cancellation no later than May 1.

• Lightening/Smoke/Wildfire: With the increased threat of summer wildfire smoke in Western Washington, it is necessary to have an updated plan in place to ensure the safety of our campers and staff. If 2.5 or more camp days in a session are cancelled due to lightning storms, smoke, fire, or air-quality concerns, we will offer a refund for the total number of cancelled days, at 50% of the daily rate for your camp session. These conditions pose a huge threat to outdoor recreation, agriculture, and environmental organizations, and we are grateful for your support and understanding. In most cases, we will move programs to a safe location before we cancel camp.

• Cancellation for other reasons: In the event that cancellation due to a Force majeure or an Act of God in which we are not responsible, and we cannot provide any kind of alternative program (such as Camp at Home or Virtual programs) Pinnacle will offer families a refund less non-recoverable expenses as determined by Pinnacle. Any unrefunded fees will be credited for future summers. Credits are transferable and do not expire.

Health and Safety Policies:

COVID-19 Safety

Pinnacle is committed to providing a safe and healthy summer for all of our campers. We create policies based on recommendations from the CDC, Washington State and King County Health Department. As an organization, we err on the side of caution and take the health and safety of campers, staff and their families seriously.

For Summer 2022, this may continue to include social distancing, masking, and daily health screenings. With vaccinations now available for children 5-11 year old, any policies relating to COVID-19 may be revised and updated as the DOH updates their guidelines for childcare, camps and schools.

Daily Health Screening

All camp staff and campers may need to perform a daily health check before attending camp each day and camp staff may require on-site temperature checks for campers.

Vaccination Records

At this time, we are not requiring your child’s vaccination record for camp enrollment, though we are asking you to attest to whether your child is/isn’t vaccinated. However, if at any point in time Washington DOH guidelines require vaccination records for camp, or if we deem vaccination records necessary for any other reason we may require that campers provide evidence of up-to-date vaccinations. We are unable to refund camp fees if a child is unvaccinated and/or does not meet the vaccination requirement for attendance.

Masks

Current mask policies require masks to be worn at all times except in the case of eating and drinking and play in the water. All meals and snacks at camp take place outdoors where children are seated 6 feet away from one another. These policies are subject to change at any time with no prior notice based on new guidance from the Washington State DOH or CDC or other evidence-based information.

Illness at Camp

If a camper presents a fever or reports feeling ill at any point during camp, and the determination of staff is to quarantine the camper on-site, a parent or legally authorized adult will be called to pick them up immediately.

Returning to Camp after Illness

Should a camper be sent home or stay home from camp due to illness, our policy is:

• If the symptoms are not suspected of being COVID-19/without close contact with someone with COVID, the camper cannot return to camp for 24 hours until after symptoms have resolved.

• If the symptoms are suspected of being COVID-19, the camper can return to camp five (5) days after the symptoms appear if: Fever free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medication, and no symptoms are present or symptoms are resolving.

Quarantine Requirements for Students and Staff who are Exposed (close contact) to COVID-19

Who does not need to quarantine?  

• You are 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people  

• You are ages 5-17 years old and completed the primary series of COVID -19 vaccine (2 doses of Pfizer).   

• You had a confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test) and no longer have COVID-19 symptoms  

If you meet the above criteria you should:  

• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19  

• Get tested (rapid antigen or PCR test) at least five (5) days after you last had contact with someone with COVID-19  

• Continue to monitor symptoms and test immediately if symptoms develop.  

Who does need to quarantine?  

• You are 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible  

• You have received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine over two (2) months ago and have not received a recommended booster shot  

• You are not vaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series 

Medications

If your camper will need to be administered or will self-administer a medication during camp, please print, complete and sign the Medication Form. The form must be given to your child’s teacher on the first day of camp. Please bring the child’s medication in a clear, zip-lock bag, labeled with her name, proper dosage, and instructions. Our staff will keep their medication in their emergency supplies for the duration of camp.

If your child keeps an epi-pen or inhaler in their possession during camp hours, we recommend a fanny pack that they can wear at all times. Our staff will not be responsible for ensuring your child has their inhaler or epi-pen if they move away from their designated camp area and go to a park, playground or other location.

How We Maintain Health Safety at Camp

We strive to maintain an environment and commit to creating a camp program where you feel safe and comfortable dropping off your child.

• We collect health and allergy information for all campers and review it prior to each week of camp

• Reduce the risk of communicable disease by facilitating regular hand washing/sanitizing and daily sanitizing of our facilities

• Minimize the risk to campers with food allergies and food restrictions by having a “Nut Free” policy at all of our camps

• All staff are trained on identifying the symptoms of anaphylaxis reaction and how to use an EpiPen.

• All staff are trained in CPR and First Aid and maintain a current certification

• All staff are trained in Abuse Prevention

• All staff undergo a criminal background check and reference check

• All staff undergo a rigorous training process prior to beginning their position with Pinnacle

Camper Safety

• Designated camper-to-staff ratios are always maintained. No camper is left alone with a single staff member.

• We have firm expectations around camp boundaries and areas that are off limits

• Conduct head counts before leaving a location, when arriving at the given location, and during transit

• Campers must be accompanied when leaving the camp classroom area or they are outside of the visual range of a staff member (for example, getting water, getting something from their backpack, etc.)

• Adults must be authorized to pick up children at the end of the day. Unknown adults must show photo ID.

• Staff monitor the impact of heat, smoke and other environmental factors on campers and plan camp activities appropriately.

• Staff model and reinforce the safety of all curriculum materials and tools including batteries, science equipment and glue guns

Restrooms

Counselors and staff are never allowed in the bathroom stalls with children, and all children must be toilet trained. If your child is prone to accidents, please send extra clothing and ensure your child is able to clean and dress themselves.

Walk-Home Permissions

If a child is in 5th grade or higher, they may sign themselves out of camp and walk home provided you have completed the Camper Walk Home Consent form and turned it into the camp staff on the first day of camp.

Disclosure:

Read the camp descriptions carefully and select the camp that is best for your child.

We create curriculum to align with grade level standards and take seriously your child’s social experience at camp. If your child is too young or not ready for a camp, the content may be over her head and their camp experience will be frustrating and not fun- this isn’t how we build confidence and enjoyment of the outdoors and science! If your camper is too advanced for the topic, it will also not be a good experience. We cannot refund camp fees if you register your child for a camp that does not fit their social/emotional/academic level.

Our smaller group size also means we have fewer additional staff at camp, as the state guidelines require groups to stay cohesive without as many float staff moving between groups. If a camper requires significant one-on-one staff attention, they may be asked to stay home or bring an adult helper.

Full disclosure of your child’s medical, emotional and behavioral status upon registration is required in order for us to create the most fun and safe camp experience for your child and for all campers. Our staff are highly qualified and have the ability to work with a wide range of learners, but we can only do so when we have the information and time to create a plan of action ahead of time.

If a camper’s behavior requires constant redirection, pulls staff resources/attention away from the group, or has created safety concerns for other campers or families, the camper will be sent home as our smaller staff may not allow us to dedicate as much time to children who require more resources. Sending a camper home due to behavior difficulties is a last resort and is something we have nearly always been able to avoid in the past and we will always communicate with you before we take this step.

If your camper needs one-on-one support during camp, a trusted adult helper is invited to attend camp with your child at no additional cost, so long as our ratios are under the state maximum. Please let us know what your camper needs and/or make arrangements by emailing us at Admin@PinnacleExplorations.org no later than June 15th.

Non-disclosure of medical, psychological or behavioral challenges may result in a child being sent home from camp without refund. Any information you provide is confidential and will only be shared with our educational staff members.

What to Bring to Camp

Backpack: We ask that each child bring only one backpack that contains their lunch, 2+ snacks, outerwear and any other personal items. We will not have space for each child to bring multiple bags or loose belongings.

Shoes: All campers need to wear sneakers or closed-toe sandals such as Keens. If your child cannot tie their own shoes please send them in slip on tennis shoes or shoes with Velcro as we want to maintain social distancing and helping a camper tie her shoes requires close contact.

Masks: All campers should arrive at camp with two masks so that they have an extra if needed after lunch. Masks need to be well fitting, covering both the mouth and nose at all times. Masks with vents, bandanas, and neck gaiters are not permitted.

Nut-free Lunch/Snack: Please ensure your child is able to open and close any containers, bags or jars. As we will be eating outdoors all lunches need to be waste-free. Please send food in reusable containers. With any and all food waste and packaging we will ask campers to “pack it in, pack it out.” We do recommend using a frozen water bottle as an ice pack to keep food cold and provide a cool afternoon drink! Please be sure to send both a lunch and a 2+ snack. 

Water Bottle: Please send a full 32-oz water bottle to camp. Many of our facility drinking fountains are turned off for safety reasons so we want to ensure all campers have enough water to drink throughout the day.

Sunscreen: We require all campers to have and wear sunscreen at camp. Please apply sunscreen before camp starts. Please label your child’s sunscreen and make sure they know where it is in their bag and how to apply it themselves. We will ask them to apply sunscreen to their face, legs and arms and teach our youngest campers how to apply sunscreen on their own. Pinnacle staff will not apply sunscreen on a child’s body.

Clothing: Have your child dress in layers (tank or t-shirt, long sleeved shirt, light jacket or sweatshirt) and please send appropriate rain gear if it looks like it may rain. The kids tend to take off their layers as the day warms up. Because of this LABEL all clothing with their name. If your child tends to need a spare set of clothing due to accidents, be sure to pack these.

Friend Requests:

We do our best to honor friend requests whenever possible.

• You may request up to two friends for your child to be grouped with

• Friend requests need to be in the same program as your child (we cannot pair 2nd grader in one camp and a 4th grader in another camp, even if they are attending the same week and location)

• Both parties need to list one another in the request form

• By default we do not group siblings together. If you want your children to be in the same group and they are attending the same camp program, please make sure to include that in the friend request.

Photo Release:

Photographs and videos that represent our educational programs help share our mission with new participants and families. Our registration form asks that you sign the waiver, helping us share our work and mission with others. If you are uncomfortable with Pinnacle using your child’s image, you may opt out.

Behavior Expectations:

Camp Rules

• Use kind words and actions

• Be respectful of differences

• Listen and follow directions

• Take care of the materials at Pinnacle

We expect to have a great week of fun, while learning and making friends. Our general rules help guide campers to make good choices for the benefit of the group. All staff members are trained in positive behavior management techniques and classroom management skills.

Following Camp Rules

Most of the time, camper behavior is managed through positive reinforcement, problem-solving together, or talking it out.

If a camper is having difficulty following the camp rules we may send home an incident report explaining what happened at camp and the consequence of the behavior. The incident report needs to be signed and dated by a parent/guardian. Examples of this are not listening to or following directions of the instructors, behaving in a manner that compromises their safety or the safety of others. If a camper continues to have difficulty following camp rules, our staff will request a meeting with their parent/guardian to discuss how best to move forward.

Behaviors that will not be tolerated and will require immediate dismissal from camp:

• Derogatory statements about race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, social status, gender identity, disability, personal appearance, intelligence, physical size, ability, and other similar personal subjects

• Behavior that puts others or themselves at risk physically or mentally including fighting, throwing/hitting with objects, verbal abuse, invasion of another person’s privacy

Inappropriate Use of Property/Damage to Property

Children misusing or intentionally damaging another person’s personal property, or equipment and materials used by Pinnacle may be held responsible for its replacement. Such situations will be handled between the parties involved. Pinnacle will not be held responsible for replacement of items damaged by another child/participant.

No refunds or partial refunds will be given for children who are unable to participate in our program due to inappropriate behavior, as deemed by our faculty and staff.

Gender, Equity and Diversity

Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all campers, their families and staff. Becoming an anti-discriminatory, anti-racist and inclusive organization is a process and we appreciate your understanding, support and allyship in this continued effort. 

In order to be as inclusive and equitable as possible during camp we will work with your campers to ensure that diversity is valued and campers receive the support they need at camp. This means:

• We have group agreements emphasizing treating people well in terms of our differences

• Affirming and using someone’s desired pronouns or nickname

• Group reflection and discussion of these topics as they come up in camp