Summer Camp FAQ - Monarch Camps

Summer Camp FAQ - Monarch Camps

Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions

Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions


  • Is this the right camp for our family and is the camp safe?
  • How is the staff screened for employment? How are they trained?
  • Is there a minimum amount of days/weeks I must register for?
  • Why is there a late drop off and an early pick up fee?
  • What is the ratio of children to adult staff?
  • Are the children grouped according to gender and age/grade and will the children be with the same counselor or group for the entire summer season?
  • Is lunch supplied to the children?
  • Tell me about swim lessons and recreational swim.
  • Who goes on field trips? Do the buses have seat belts?
  • What is Monarch Camps’ Policy regarding camper medicine?
  • What kind of medical services does the camp provide to deal with minor or major camper injuries?
  • How does the camp deal with days that are too hot or smoggy?
  • Are there any emergency procedures for fire, earthquakes, etc.
Is this the right camp for our family and is the camp safe?

Monarch Camps emphasizes sports, love for the outdoors, and fun activities. Monarch camps is NOT SAFE. We engage in activities that have risks such as swimming, rock climbing, gymnastics, dodgeball, crossing the street and field trips almost every week. That said, we could not have been around since 1971 if we were not good at reducing risk. We train our staff to identify the risks and then assess how to reduce those risks.

Monarch Camps is a place to try new things. We expose campers to new games, experiences and teach them how to win and lose.

We do not isolate campers from possible risks, but to instruct and teach techniques and how to be  safer.

We are a camp that is not for helicopter parents, but parents that want their children to gain confidence in themselves through exposure.

We are not a camp for helicopter parents. We are a camp for parents who want their children to gain confidence in themselves through exposure different experiences and activities. We understand that we are not for all families and we do not accommodate families that want special treatment. We believe in teaching fairness and sportsmanship, beliefs which also apply to parents.

How is the staff screened for employment? How are they trained?

Current or former counselors refer most of our new adult counsleors. Most of our counseling staff are college students working towards a degree and/or studying to become a teacher. We have an intense selection process and a mandatory two & a half day training session that allow us to choose and train the most highly qualified candidates. We look for responsible counselors who fit our active profile requirements. Most counselors have also attended our yearly 6-7 day training trip to Sequoia & Yosemite national parks. All employees are required to complete an online background check and reference checks. In addition, they must show proof of a negative TB (tuberculosis test) test in the past  year in order to be employed by us.

Is there a minimum amount of days/weeks I must register for?

Campers must be registered for a minimum of three days per week. There is no minimum number of weeks for which you must register.

You are able to choose a different type of camp at Monarch Camps each week. We suggest campers stay in the say camp the entire summer as a major part of having a camp experience is making life long camp friends.

Why is there a late drop off and an early pick up fee?

We understand that parents hate these fees; we hate them too. However, in order to run a structured camp, and to be fair to everyone who is on time and stays for the full program, we have these fees. We service so many campers that all the late drop offs and early pickups become very disruptive to the programs we are trying to run and to the other campers.

What is the ratio of children to adult staff?

Group sizes will vary depending upon the nature of activities and the age of the campers. Our overall adult staff to camper ratio is never less than one adult to 8 children, but the exact ratio depends upon how many campers are in camp each specific day. Individual groups may be as small as 4 to 6 campers for the 5 and 6 year old groups or as large as 12 or more for the 11 and 12 year-old groups. We average 8-10 campers for each group and each group is assigned a counselor, who is a high school graduate, and a volunteer junior counselor, who is in high school, for supervision.


Our overall adult staff to camper ratio is never less than 1 adult to 8 children, but the exact ratio depends upon how many campers are in camp each specific day. Individual groups may be as small as 4 – 6 for 5 & 6 year olds or as large as 12 or more for 11 & 12 year olds. We average 8 – 10 campers for each group and each group is assigned a counselor (18+) and junior counselor (14-17) is assigned to a group as extra supervision. Group sizes will vary depending upon the nature of activities and age of the campers.

Are the children grouped according to gender and age/grade and will the children be with the same counselor or group for the entire summer season?

In Classic Day Camp, campers are grouped by gender and the grade that they are going into for the fall.

Sports and specialty camps are mixed, but may be divided within the group based on skills and experience.

At Monarch Camps we do everything we can to keep the same counselor with the group for the entire summer, but sometimes it’s beyond our control. A counselor my change for various reasons, such as changes in enrollment or employee scheduling conflicts

Is lunch supplied to the children?

A juice box is provided everyday at lunch time, but NOT a lunch.

Please provide a separate snack and a separate lunch. The campers lunches are stored in our refrigerator. You may purchase lunch through at the time you register.

On Thursdays we do provide a Hebrew National hot dog, bag of chips, and juice/water/soda.

Tell me about swim lessons and recreational swim.

We strongly believe that all kids should be water safe and feel comfortable in the water. All campers registered for the Classic Day Camp are required to participate in swim lessons. During swim lessons all of our counselors are in the water with the children and actively teaching them different levels of swim skills. If you do not agree with our policy then please consider enrolling your child in one of our specially camps (these do not include swim lessons)  or consider another camp for your child.

During recreational swimming each counselor rotates on a 20 minute shift as lookouts to assist the LAVC lifeguards with camper supervision. When not on lookout duty, our counselors are in the water swimming playing with campers and supervising. Our pool programs and lessons are coordinated by our pool director who is Red Cross certified as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI).

Who goes on field trips? Do the buses have seat belts?

Classic Day, eXcursions, Theater Arts, Nature, Glee, Dance, and All Sports camps go on every Wednesday field trip.

Aquatics, Basketball, Gymnastics, Soccer, and Tennis camps do not go on any Wednesday field trip EXCEPT for the beach trips.

Monarch eXcursions campers are the only ones who go on the Tuesday field trips.

Nature Camp and Fine Art Camp each have 2 special field trips in which we use the Monarch Camps After School vans

We have contracted with Brooks Transportation Bus Company since 2010. Not all of their buses have seat belts. Safety belts on a school bus can cause more danger when trying to evacuate during an emergency.

What is Monarch Camps’ Policy regarding camper medicine?

Our staff is not permitted to administer any medication (prescription or over the counter) to campers. Campers must carry and administer their own medication. We are NOT responsible for the administration or storage of any medication.

Each child is responsible for taking his or her medicine at the proper time. Our staff may TRY to remind campers that they need to take their medicine as a courtesy, but we cannot be responsible for ensuring that campers take their medicine at the proper time. Campers that have allergies or asthma are responsible for carrying and using asthma inhalers and epipens. If your child uses an epipen or asthma inhaler then we expect that you have spoken to the child about proper usage. Also, please make sure that your child is aware that no one should touch their epipen or asthma inhaler and that they keep it on their person at all times.

What kind of medical services does the camp provide to deal with minor or major camper injuries?

Many staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid. We also have first aid kits that are carried by our management staff. In addition, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department maintains a station on our campus that is staffed 24 hours per day 7 days per week. The Los Angeles Fire Department also has a station directly across the street on Burbank.

How does the camp deal with days that are too hot or smoggy?

The camp uses special indoor areas and low intensity activities on days in which it may be too smoggy or hot to be outside. Age appropriate movies, games, storytelling, extended arts and crafts and, of course, more pool time are all part of our hot/smoggy day activity schedule. Our main gymnasium areas are air conditioned.

Are there any emergency procedures for fire, earthquakes, etc.

Monarch Camps follows Los Angeles Valley College’s Emergency Procedure Plans. All staff are trained and briefed on campus evacuation areas and emergency scenarios. We also have a 24- hour/7 day a week, LA County Sheriff department substation on campus. In times of emergency the LA County Sheriff’s Department takes the lead on all incidents.