NISRA is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and well-organized recreation programs. The following policies and procedures have been developed to support participant success, guide staff, and ensure clear communication with families.
These guidelines cover important topics such as program expectations, transportation, health and safety, and communication. We encourage all participants and families to review this information and reach out with any questions.
ARRIVING AT PROGRAMS
Check in with staff when you arrive at the program or the bus to confirm that you’re on the list and we have your emergency contact information. This is for your safety!
CAN’T MAKE IT TO A PROGRAM?
Please call NISRA at (815) 459-0737 and dial 1 for the Emergency Mailbox, to have your message relayed to the driver. Drivers can wait a maximum of 5 minutes before they must leave for the other pick-up points and/or the program.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All NISRA participants and their guests are expected to follow the Behavior Code of Conduct at all times. This code has been established to ensure that NISRA programs remain safe, enjoyable, and successful for everyone involved. Appropriate behavior is required from all participants and their guests while participating in, spectating, or attending any NISRA-sponsored program or activity.
The Behavior Code of Conduct expects participants to:
- Show respect to all: participants, staff, the public, equipment, supplies, and facilities.
- Listen to and comply with staff direction and program rules.
- Allow others in the program and those at public facilities to enjoy the activity without disruption (within reason).
- Refrain from using foul language, bullying, or other offensive behavior such as offensive gestures, sexually explicit language, or inappropriate touching.
- Refrain from causing bodily harm or aggressive physical contact.
- Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs which would impair the ability to safely participate in the program.
- Not possess any weapons or illegal substances.
- Participants are expected to practice self-cleanliness throughout their time at programs. This includes washing hands as needed, and taking care of personal hygiene. Staff will provide assistance, reminders, and follow up as needed to support this expectation.
A positive approach will be used regarding behavior management. NISRA will work closely with parents/guardians to develop behavior management plans. If inappropriate, disruptive, or destructive behavior occurs, a prompt resolution will be sought. NISRA reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any participant whose behavior endangers the safety of themself or others.
COLD WEATHER GUIDELINES
Outdoor programs may be cancelled if the temperature is below 10 degrees and/or wind chill is below 0 (regardless of temperature). Indoor programs will be cancelled based upon the facility’s decision and/or whether authorities have issued driving advisories or Winter Storm/Blizzard warnings.
HOT WEATHER GUIDELINES
Outdoor programs may be cancelled if the temperature is above 95 degrees and/or the heat index is 103 degrees or higher. Indoor programs where there is no air conditioning may be cancelled at the discretion of NISRA staff. All programs will be cancelled when the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Warning for Cook, Kane, Lake, or McHenry County.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES IN NISRA PROGRAMS
Foods and beverages served at NISRA programs and events must be “store bought” and presented in original sealed packages unless provided by a licensed restaurant or store.
ILLNESS GUIDELINES
In order to prevent the spread of illness, participants are not allowed to attend NISRA programs when any of the following conditions exist:
- Fever over 100 degrees within the last 24 hours
- Vomiting within the last 24 hours
- Persistent diarrhea
- Persistent cough and/or cold symptoms
- “Pink Eye” (conjunctivitis)
- COVID-19 Symptoms
- Symptoms of mumps, measles, chicken pox, strep throat, flu, impetigo, or Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
- Runny nose with yellow or green discharge
- Lice or mites present
- Contagious rash or rash of unknown origin
You will be contacted immediately to make arrangements for the participant to go home if any of these symptoms are present.
LATE PICK UP POLICY
Participants must be picked up at the designated end of the program. Late pick up creates additional costs and potential delays of staff getting to another program. If a participant has not been picked up at the scheduled program end time, the parent/guardian/group home staff will be contacted. After the five-minute wait period, if the participant has not been picked up, emergency contacts will be called. If NISRA has no contact from a parent/guardian/group home or a responsible party from the emergency contacts, then police will be called and the participant will be taken into protective custody until a parent or guardian can be located. If an unexpected emergency arises that will delay the pick-up of a participant, please call the NISRA office and leave a detailed message in the emergency mailbox.
WHEN A LATE PICK UP OCCURS:
Five (5) minutes of time will be allotted as a “grace period” following the advertised programs times.
One (1) no-fee written reminder, per season, will be given. Reminders will be documented through an email from WebTrac.
After one (1) no-fee written or documented late pick up form reminder, a $5.00 fee will be charged for every cumulated (5) minutes until participant is picked up. This bill must be paid in full prior to future registrations and will be billed through WebTrac.
NISRA TRANSPORTATION
For programs with transportation, the pick-up and drop-off locations are listed in each program’s description. Please choose your preferred location when you are registering. Program transportation times will be on Rainout Line, in WebTrac or at NISRA.org.
Please check in with staff and make sure the participant gets on the correct vehicle in the parking lot. Many times there are multiple NISRA programs using the same transportation location.
For programs offered to participants with physical limitations, door-to-door transportation is available for residents living within NISRA’s 13 member districts. An additional fee is required for this service. If you require door-to-door transportation, select that option when registering.
Pick Up and Drop Off Locations: (generally, busses will try to be in front of building)
- Barrington Park District Langendorf Park
- Cary Park District Community Center
- The Centre, Elgin
- Hampshire Township Park District
- Harvard City Hall parking lot
- Huntley Park District R.E.C. Center
- Lake in the Hills Village Hall
- Marengo Park District parking lot
- McHenry Recreation Center
- NISRA Office
- Rakow Center – Dundee Township Park District
- Wauconda Park District Community Center
- Woodstock Recreation Center
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
NISRA occasionally takes photographs or video of participants for promoting/advertising our programs, services, events, activities, and facilities in our brochures, website, or agency social media, member district publications, and other promotional avenues. By registering for, participating in, or attending NISRA programs, events, or other activities, the participant (or parent/ guardian of a minor participant) irrevocably agrees to the use and distribution by NISRA, any of its members, contractual service providers, or cooperating entities where services or programs take place, of his or her image (or of his/her minor child/ward) in photographs, video recordings, and any other electronic reproductions of such programs, events, and activities for any purpose without inspection or approval and without compensation, rights to royalties, or any other consideration now and in the future. The participant’s identity is kept anonymous unless permission is obtained by NISRA to identify the person.
PROGRAM POLICIES
1. Participants must be picked up at the designated end of the program, see Late Pick Up Policy. Late pick-up creates additional costs and potential delays getting to another program. NISRA staff will notify the office of continual late pick-ups and a fine will be assessed.
2. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather. When a program is cancelled, one re-scheduled date will be arranged if possible. No credit or refund will be issued.
3. When participants of varying ages and ability levels are in the same program, NISRA will group them appropriately.
4. NISRA provides an approximate 1:4 staff-to-participant ratio. If you are requesting a different ratio, please indicate the reason in ePact.
5. If a participant will be absent, please notify the NISRA office.
6. If the participant is able to walk or ride a bike home, the parent/guardian must submit through ePact, in writing, to the NISRA office prior to the start of the program.
7. If someone other than the participant’s parent/guardian will be picking him/her up after a program, a note must be sent for the staff. Staff will not allow a participant to leave with another person without written notice through ePact.
8. When arriving to, or departing from a program, please check-in with the staff before you leave or take the participant.
9. If staff observe that it appears unsafe to release a participant to the person picking him/her up after a program, the staff will call a supervisor to determine what other transportation alternatives may be possible.
10. While NISRA staff will assist participants with their belongings at programs, NISRA cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property. Participants should not bring valuables to programs.
11. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted at most NISRA programs (this includes adults ages 21 and older).
Behavior Expectations: Although NISRA recognizes that many participants have special behavioral challenges, guidelines have been established to ensure safety and enjoyment of all participants.
Please refer to Code of Conduct for more details.
REACHING NISRA AFTER HOURS
In response to requests to reach us with an emergency message after business hours or on the weekend, NISRA has an Emergency Mailbox on our phone system. In an emergency, call the NISRA Office, (815) 459-0737. Listen for the prompt to leave a message in the Emergency Mailbox (ext. 1). Your message will be forwarded to the staff member on-call who will respond as needed.
SEVERE WEATHER GUIDELINES
The hot and cold weather guidelines are used by NISRA Staff to determine whether to delay or cancel programs. Program updates and cancellations will be on Rainout Line.
SUNSCREEN
Please provide sunscreen for your child. Due to skin sensitivity and allergies, NISRA does not provide sunscreen for any campers or participants.
SWIM DIAPERS/POOL PANTS/DIAPERS
These are required for all campers who are incontinent. See NorthShore care supply at www.northshorecare.com or try the Abilitations catalog at (800) 850-8602 or www.abilitations.com.