Frequently asked questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is the Camp Director?
Jeff Mackin, Education Director
What are the qualifications of the counselors? What are their certifications? Have they had
background checks and been fingerprinted? Are they local residents or from another state?
Staff is certified in CPR and First Aid. Most of the IGFA Educational Staff have or are attaining a
Bachelors or Masters degree in Environmental Science; others are teachers or full time employees
of IGFA. Background checks and fingerprinting have been assessed for all counselors, instructors
and staff.

What is the ratio of students to chaperones?
IGFA practices the same standards as the Broward County School District of 1 chaperone to 10
children (1:10); often we have a higher ratio of chaperones to children (1:8). We also have
volunteers to aid the instructors each week.
Is the camp program onsite or offsite? If offsite, where?
Both: Mondays and Tuesdays campers spend time at the museum participating in various activities;
Wednesdays and Thursdays campers are out on field trips, and every Friday campers get to
experience drift-boat or anchor fishing on the Atlantic Ocean.
What is the cost of camp? Are there any discounts?
Summer Camp: If you have a regular adult or family membership, the cost of Summer camp is
$300 per week. An early registration discount of $30 (off your total) is available for
parents/guardians who register by May 17, 2014. The more weeks your child attends, the more you
save! Please ask about our multiple child discount for siblings. Non-members pay $325 per week.
The week of July 4th will be prorated.

Is there a deposit required?
A deposit is not required. However, you must pay in full for your camp at the time of registration.
Your child’s space will not be saved unless payment has been received. After care can be paid on
a daily basis.

What are the camp hours?
Camp hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, campers are required to
arrive by 7:30am and parents are encouraged to attend the graduation from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
Before care is available Monday – Thursday from 8:00am to 9:00am free of charge. After care is
offered from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at a rate of $20 per hour.
Is this camp program co-ed? What are the ages for camp?
Yes, girls and boys ages 7-13. Campers are divided into two groups. Children ages 7-10 are in
one group; children ages 11-13 are in another group. However, we reserve the right to combine
group ages if needed.
What activities will the campers participate in and what will they learn? Are campers
required to have prior knowledge and/or experience with fishing?
Activities at IGFA include laboratory exercises that teach aquatic biology, as well as ethical angling
practices. Participants learn about fish biology, knot tying, tackle, making lures, tying flies & jigs, and
fishing. Field trips include lakes, wetlands, estuaries, Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. The
campers in the marine program explore the ocean environment, learn about marine animals and
explore the coastal habitats. Field trips include swimming, snorkeling and fishing on a drift boat on
Fridays. The main difference between Angling 1, Angling 2, Angling 3 and Angling 4 are the
field trip sites. Campers do not need to attend Angling 1 before attending the other Angling
weeks. You choose the weeks your child will attend camp in any order you prefer.

What is the difference between the Angling weeks and the Marine weeks?
While the Angling weeks focus most on fishing and fishing habitats, Marine weeks focus more on
the Marine environment and the activities for those weeks include dissections and snorkeling.
However, campers will only go fishing on Monday onsite and Friday offsite during the Marine
weeks.
Is transportation provided to and from camp?
No, each child must be dropped off and picked up by their parent/guardian from IGFA.
What is the procedure for drop off and pick up?
Each morning, a parent or guardian must bring the child inside and sign the log sheet at the front
desk with the time of arrival and the parent’s/guardian’s initials. A child cannot be dropped off
without a parent or guardian signing the child in on the roster. Each afternoon, a parent or guardian
must sign the roster to pick up their child. Only adults listed on the Hold Harmless Agreement Form
will be allowed to sign a camper out.
What type of vehicle is used when traveling on field trips? Does it have seat belts? Is it air-
conditioned? How many passengers does it hold? Who drives the vehicle?
An air-conditioned coach bus is used for travel to and from field trips, depending on the number of
campers. Coach buses hold anywhere between 45-56 passengers. A bus-licensed driver is in
charge of the bus. The Florida Statutes do not require buses to have seat belts (section 316.614,
3a1 and 2).
Is lunch provided or do the campers need to bring lunch daily?
No, campers need to bring a bag lunch daily. Please provide food that will not require refrigeration.
We suggest an extra drink and snack for mid-afternoon. Campers may bring a small, personal
cooler if they prefer.
What do the campers need to wear daily?
Campers should wear comfortable casual clothing. Shorts, t-shirts and sneakers are
recommended. On days when campers swim, sandals are recommended. Sunscreen, a light
jacket and poncho are also suggested. Campers must wear an IGFA T-shirt daily. One t-shirt will
be provided for the camper when the parent/guardian signs the camper in. Extra T-shirts will be
available in the mornings and afternoons for $8 each.
What do campers need to bring?
Parents/guardians will be given a sheet for each week of camp informing them of what campers will
need to bring each day of the week. The items needed may include a towel, bathing suit, change of
clothes, snorkel gear, hat, and sunscreen. Campers may bring a small backpack with their
belongings. Please be sure to label all belongings with complete camper’s name. On Fridays
campers may need motion sickness pills: Bonine, Dramamine or any comparable meclizine brand.
Do the campers need to bring their own fishing equipment?
No, campers are not permitted to bring in any of their own fishing equipment. IGFA will provide
what they need.

What else should campers not bring?
Campers are not permitted to bring radios, cell phones, money, video games, or anything else that
would be disruptive to the camp. IGFA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Are parents allowed to visit staff and the museum when considering our camp program?
Are appointments required?
Yes, we encourage parents to visit our facility. Appointments are not required unless you need to
speak with a staff member. An advanced notice of your visit will help us better prepare for your
arrival and self-guided tour.
Are parents allowed to participate in our camp programs? Can they join the campers on
field trips? Is there an additional charge for this?
Yes, parents are ONLY allowed to participate during the driftboat fishing excursion! Parents who
want to attend the drift boat excursion will be charged an additional fee. Parents will be responsible
for providing their own transportation to the boat docks.
What is the healthcare insurance policy? Is there a nurse on-site?
All parents are required to complete a Hold Harmless Agreement Form, which includes the health
care information and emergency contact information. All instructors are CPR and First Aid certified.
If an injury occurs an “Ouch Report” is filled out for the incident and signed by the camper and the
instructor. If the incident is major and requires hospital care, a parent/guardian will be contacted
immediately.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
If health care is needed, the parent’s health care insurance policy would be primary and IGFA’s
health insurance policy would be secondary. If a child were not covered by insurance, IGFA’s health
insurance would then be primary.
What is our safety and regulations policy? What precautions do we practice to ensure
safety? What is the protocol for safety when participating in water activities?
Camp counselors carry a binder which contains all camper emergency information and contact
phone numbers. There is at least 1 chaperone for every 10 children, all instructors are CPR and
First Aid certified. All boats on field trips have personal floatation devices (PFDs) available, and
when swimming at beaches lifeguards are present.
What is the protocol if a child is missing?
A count of the children is taken before the bus leaves to and from each field trip site. Counts are
also taken when traveling from one location to another. If, after all these precautions have been
taken, a child is missing, the proper authorities, the parent and IGFA headquarters will be contacted
immediately. We have NEVER had any child go missing!!!

What if a child becomes ill?
If your child is ill and cannot attend, please call and notify the staff so that we do not hold the bus or
wait unnecessarily for your child. If the child should become sick while at IGFA and participating in
activities, a staff member would make the child as comfortable as possible and contact a parent/
guardian for an early pickup.

Source: http://map.igfa.org/images/uploads/files/FREQUENTLY%20ASKED%20QUESTIONS(1).pdf