Frequently Asked Questions - Summer Camp

Most of our summer camp is taught by GISSV instructors from the Kibili, Afternoon Club, or Saturday School programs. This means that our campers are in the hands of trained educators who either are German or speak German at the native speaker level. There is also a chance that we hire new instructors depending if we need more teachers to cover different classes. 

German-speaking Counselors in Training (high school students) will assist instructors in Preschool, Vorschule Camp, and Elementary School Camp classrooms.

Our German-speaking camp managers are also there to help with check-in, student safety, lunch, and other camp logistics. They also organize games and sports activities for all campers during snack and lunch breaks. The camp managers are parents' first point of contact.

In Preschool and KindergartenCamp, all levels of German, including total beginner are mixed in the classroom. The instructors speak only in German.

In Elementary School Camp and Middle School Camp, the language classes in AM Camp are divided into three or two basic levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Because classes are small, each student will receive individualized instruction and support within their level. In AM Camp, instructors speak only in German.

In Elementary School Camp and Middle School Camp in the PM Camp, groups stay in the theme activity classrooms. Activities may be held outside or in the same classroom. Please refer to our Covid regulations on our Camp operation site. To help all students understand context and directions, instructors will speak some English. However, the main camp language is German all day.
 

Preschool
Participants must be potty-trained to enroll. In case of accidents, send some pull-ups, wipes, and extra pairs of pants. Campers participating in the Full-Day camp must bring a sheet, pillow, and blanket for nap time.
Bring a extra snack, a cooled lunch box with a hearty lunch, and a water bottle every day. We play outside and make crafts. Campers should wear clothes that can get dirty, and bring two complete changes every day. Wear sunscreen to camp, and bring extra to re-apply. A wide-brimmed sun hat is a must.


Kindergarten/ Vorschule Camp
Bring a little extra for snack, a cooled lunch box with a hearty lunch, and a water bottle every day. We play outside and make crafts. Campers should wear clothes that can get dirty, and bring two complete changes every day. Wear sunscreen to camp, and bring extra to re-apply. A wide-brimmed sun hat is a must.
 

Elementary and Middle School Camps
Bring a cooled lunch box with a hearty lunch, and a water bottle every day. For Full-Day Camp, bring a pencil, sharpener, eraser, colored pencils, and a pen each day. Wear clothes that can get dirty, and bring an extra shirt and shorts/pants each day. Wear sunscreen to camp, and bring extra to re-apply. A wide-brimmed sun hat is a must.

Please refer to the GISSV webpage for campus drop-off and pick-up regulations and parking lot rules. It is essential to carefully read these guidelines. The GISSV Summer Camp operates from 9 am to 4 pm, with extended care available for an additional fee from 8 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 5 pm. If a student has not been picked up by the end of their camp session, they will remain under the supervision of the coordinator(s) until picked up. A late fee of $20 will be charged for every 10 minutes beyond the camp end time (1 pm for half-day or 4 pm for full-day) or the extended care end time (5 pm) during pick-up. Students who are not registered for extended care cannot participate in drop-in sessions.

You can sign up with My Green Lunch to get pre-paid lunch delivered to campus on a weekly basis. Your child will get a hot/cold entree of choice, fresh sliced fruit cup or whole fruit, fresh vegetable, and a healthy snack.

Click the below link to for sign up details

SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS - SCHOOLFOODIES - (510) 556-8900, or contact@schoolfoodies.com

MOUNTAIN VIEW CAMPUS - MY GREEN LUNCH - (408) 352-5333, or info@mygreenlunch.com

All students should have their own snack and lunch in a cooled lunch box. Students in Preschool should additionally bring food for the breakfast circle each morning. Please send all students with a refillable water bottle every day!

Nut-free School - GISSV is a nut-free campus. Please ensure that food never contains any nuts, nut butters, or nut flours. 

In the case of an emergency, instructors and camp managers are expected to follow the guidelines they have been provided with by the Head of Administration. Students are expected to follow the instructor’s directions. The camp managers and Head of Administration issue all commands in an emergency.

Instructors are required to read through their class lists, and to make note of any reported allergies or health conditions. Parents are encouraged to contact camp managers in advance of camp to personally discuss any important health concerns. 

Instructors and camp managers may not administer any medication to students, unless the parent has given notice of the medical condition during enrollment, and has provided the camp managers with a doctor’s note about dosage for the specific student. Parents and camp managers must agree on a safe space to store the medication that is inaccessible to young students. 

Instructors and camp managers always tell parents about any injury or potential injury.

For small cuts, scrapes, and similar minor injuries, instructors and camp managers may wash injuries with soap and water, and will provide band-aids, but will not administer medications like Neosporin. 

If a student has a concerning or potentially concerning injury (e.g. larger fall in playground, any injury to head or neck), camp managers will complete an Injury Report, file it with the Head of Camp Administration, and provide parents with an electronic copy.

If a student becomes seriously ill during camp, the instructor or camp manager will:

• If necessary, call 911.
• Call the camp managers or Head of Camp Administration for immediate support. 
• Call the student’s parents using the contact information provided during registration. 
• Stay with the student and the rest of the class until help arrives.