Summer ROCKS

Summer ROCKS registration will open online at 8 a.m. on March 6!

When you register for camp, you will be asked to complete a 10 minute survey regarding contact information, medical history, and other important information that will help us make sure your child has a great time at camp! Please allow ample time to complete this survey, as a current and correct completion will ensure that we are able to serve your child in the best manner possible.

Register online for Summer ROCKS

Weekly Fee

$180/week per child for weeks 1 and 2
$225/week per child for weeks 3-9

Payment Plan Option

We require that you pay a $25 down payment for each week you register as part of a payment plan. All remaining registration fees are due two weeks before camp starts. The online system will automatically charge your card on the specified date when you choose the “Summer ROCKS 2024” payment plan at check out. Credit card payment is required to set up the payment plan.

We do not offer scholarships for summer ROCKS camp.

One-time Fee

For children participating in ROCKS weeks 3-9, there is a one-time fee of $5 to purchase a t-shirt that will be used on our Wednesday special events and/or field trips. You only need one t-shirt. If your child is signed up for multiple weeks of ROCKS during weeks 3-9, you will only need to add the $5 extra on the shopping cart once. If you have questions or need help, let us know!

8-9 a.m.: Arrival & Hang-out
During this time participants can play games, read a book, or work on an art project with the ROCKS staff. A free breakfast will be available.

9 a.m. – Noon: Morning Activities
Participants will participate in a variety of activities ranging from sports/games, arts & crafts, science/nature, and enrichment.

12-1 p.m.: Lunch & Recess
A free lunch will be available in the FMS Cafeteria. After lunch we'll head to Commons Park to play on the playground.

1-4 p.m.: Afternoon Outdoor Programs
We'll spend the afternoon outdoors enjoying theme-based activities including games, stories, crafts and adventure.

4-5 p.m. Pick-up
Participants will return to the Fridley Middle School for pick-up.

Additional Program Information

Wednesday Field Trips & Special Events
Throughout the summer, we'll have a variety of special events, visitors, entertainment and field trips on Wednesday afternoons.

Weekly Open Swim
Once a week, we will attend open swim at the Fridley Middle School pool.

Free Breakfast and Lunch
Fridley Public Schools Nutritional Services will provide free breakfast and lunch for all ROCKS participants! On field trip days, a bento-box style lunch will be provided.

Afternoon Activities:
It’s time to play outside! We designed afternoons to involve participants in a variety of activities, which will promote the development of friendships, good sportsmanship, motivation and creativity! Each week a new theme will be presented with games, stories, crafts, imagination and adventure to provide a well-rounded experience for your child.

Open Swim K-6:
Once a week children will be able to participate in open swim at the Fridley Middle School pool. This time allows the opportunity for young swimmers to practice their skills, or just play and have fun.

During full (5 day) weeks at ROCKS we feature a different field trip or special event for our campers. Planned trips and activities this year include:

June 26: Elm Creek Nature Center & Outdoor School

Gr. K-3: Elm Creek Nature Center
We’ll start off our day on the giant playground. Then after lunch we will head over to Eastman Nature Center and explore the amazing world of Land Insects!

Gr. 4-6: Elm Creek Outdoor Adventure School
We’ll start off our day on the giant playground. Then we’re off to join the fun staff at Three Rivers Outdoor Adventure school for an exciting day of slacklining and disc golf!

July 10: Wet & Wild Water Party

This annual event is always a cool afternoon adventure! Get ready for a giant slip ’n slide, lots of sprinklers, water toys, water balloons and more. In addition, we’ll have a visit from the Fridley Fire Department with a massive fire hose sprayer!

July 17: Como Zoo & Como Town

We’ll start the day checking out all of the animals in the zoo. Then we’ll head to the park for a picnic lunch and play time. We’ll enjoy the afternoon spinning, flying and zooming on the exciting rides at Como Town!

July 24: Shrek the Musical, Jr.

Let’s go to the theater—but this time at Commons Park! We will watch ETS Production’s Shrek the Musical Jr. Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical.

July 31: Bunker Beach

Come and cool off with us at the best water park around! Bunker Beach is an exciting place to visit with a wave pool, waterslide tower, large adventure pool, lazy river and sand play area!

August 7: Nickel Jamboree

Come one, come all for carnival games, face painting, hayrides, and more! This annual carnival is always a kid favorite! Activities are just 10 - 50 cents, so bring your change (all ROCKS participants will receive a $5 card for use during the event as well).

August 14: Zero Gravity

Get ready to jump together at Zero Gravity adventure park! We will do it all--freestyle jump court, ultimate dodgeball, a ninja warrior course, all trampoline events, climbing wall, indoor playground, and Aeroball, aerial course and the brand new laser tag arena. Expect to come home tired after this day!

Group Size and Capacity

Students register for one of the following age groups (current grade 2023-24) K-1, 2-3, & 4-6 with a maximum capacity of 18 kids per group. In the afternoon the K-1 and 2-3 groups will participate in some activities together.

Social Environment

During the program we encourage social interaction and relationship building throughout the day. This often creates an active, stimulating environment during classroom, lunch, and gym time.

Camp Counselors

College and high school-aged camp counselors teach at ROCKS, with supervision from Recreation coordinators. Some activities are taught by outside, specialized instructors (ex. Tae Kwon Do, Robotics).

Program Locations

Morning classes are typically held in three different classrooms, the gym, and outside fields at Fridley Middle School. Afternoons typically start at the Commons Park playground and other afternoon activities (field games, arts and crafts, creative play) take place at the park and picnic shelter. Participants will attend open swim once a week at the Fridley Middle School pool and a variety field trip locations throughout the summer.

Variety of Activities

The ROCKS Program focuses on providing children with a wide variety of activities so they can learn and discover new interests and talents. We encourage all to try new things and support the group by participating in the planned activities. There is choice time scheduled each day.

Transitions

The variety of locations and activities creates many transitions throughout the day. Daily schedules are posted in each classroom. Transitions include going between different classrooms/gym, bathroom breaks, lunch room, swimming pool, locker rooms, walks to the park, and varied use of outdoor facilities. In addition, there will be staff changes during the day for each classroom.

Personal Skills

Children must perform their own personal care, be bathroom independent, and participate in way that facilitates learning and also allows others in the program to learn. Our number one goal is to keep your child safe while they are in our care, so all participants must abide by the Student Social Contract.

Inclusive Program

The City of Fridley Parks and Recreation Department is committed to an inclusive approach to recreation and will provide reasonable accommodations to enhance program participation without fundamentally altering a program. If your child needs accommodations or additional support, please contact us.

All ROCKS participants must sign and abide by the student social contract..

Staff Responsibilities

1. Provide a positive, safe, and caring environment for all participants.
2. Provide an educational and recreational environment conducive to the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of each child.
3. Communicate regularly with the parent/guardian concerning the child.

Student Responsibilities

1. Follow the Fridley Recreation Code of Conduct
   • Show respect to all participants and program staff.
   • Take direction from program staff/supervisors.
   • Refrain from using verbal threats, disrespectful language, bullying, bullying-like behavior or other harassing behavior.
   • Refrain from any form of aggression, including lack of self-control with anger, blatant disrespect or absolute refusal of staff person in charge, or causing bodily harm to self, other participants, or program staff/supervisors
   • Refrain from damaging equipment, supplies, and facilities.
2. Put belongings away neatly in the designated spaces when entering the program area.
3. Always show respect for other people and keep hands to oneself.
4. Always show respect for others’ property.
5. Be polite in words and actions – no put-downs or foul language.
6. Participate in planned activities.
7. Remain with the group at all times under the supervision of Parks and Recreation staff.
8. Pick up area before moving to another activity.
9. Use equipment safely.
10. Walk quietly and orderly in the halls. Run only when it is part of an activity or safely outside.

Behavior Plan

The goal of discipline and guidance techniques in our program is to help children develop safe and appropriate ways of interacting with others and the environment. With this goal in mind, we need to know that the parent and child understand that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. The program staff will use the following steps to address inappropriate behavior.

Step 1: Redirection to correct the behavior and explanation of why it is not acceptable.

Step 2: If behavior continues, staff will issue a natural and logical consequence (loss of privileges, time-out, apologies, etc). Following the consequence staff will speak to the child and decide what actions should be taken to correct the behavior. A written report will be filled out. Copies will be shown to the parent and kept on file.

Step 3: If corrective techniques are unsuccessful, parent will be called for a conference.

Step 4: If corrective techniques are still unsuccessful, you will be asked to withdraw your child from the program.

A behavioral situation may occur where a parent may need to pick up their child from the program. If it appears a child may hurt themselves or others, the Recreation staff may restrain the child. The program reserves the right to suspend a child from the program without warning if that child poses physical or emotional harm to other participants or themselves. Immediate removal from program activity is warranted if the participant physically attempts to cause injury to him/herself or others, or leaves the designated program area with the intent to run away or hide from staff.

Do I have to register for the entire nine-week program?

No - You can register for as little as one week and as many as 9. We recommend registering for all 9 weeks, since it's going to be so much fun!

How do I register?

Registration can be completed online, over the phone or in-person. You will need to register each child for each week that they will be coming to ROCKS. For example, your child will be enrolled in weeks one, three and six of summer ROCKS. You will need to choose week one, three, and six of your child’s age (ex. week #1, grades 2-3) to complete registration. Each week will be a separate registration. If you have any problems, feel free to call us and we’re happy to help!

What is the deadline to register for summer ROCKS?

Registration closes two weeks prior to the week your child will be attending. We encourage you to register early as the program fills up fast.

What will happen to my registration if the program is full?

If the program is full you will be informed that your child has been added to a waiting list. Participants will be added to the program on a first come first serve basis if space becomes available. There is no charge for your child to be on waiting list--we encourage you to register on the wait list as it's common for spots to open up as people's plans can change!

If my plans change after I have registered, can I cancel and get a refund if I prepaid?

Yes, refunds will be issued up until two weeks prior to your scheduled week.

What ages can participate in ROCKS?

ROCKS is for kids who are in grades K-6 for the 2023-24 school year. Unfortunately, kids who are five years old but are not in kindergarten are not eligible for the program. For kids ages 4 & 5 that have not started Kindergarten, we encourage you to sign them up for our preschool day camps.

Can I drop off my child before 8 a.m. if I am comfortable leaving them alone?

No, it is the policy of the facility that all children on the property must be supervised by an adult.

Can I pick my child up earlier than 5 p.m.?

Yes, you may pick up your child anytime throughout the day. Please check the activity schedule so you know if they are at the Fridley Middle School or Commons Park. It is also required for you to sign your child out with Recreation staff. If we are on a field trip, you will only be able to pick your child up after we have returned to the Middle School.

What if I’m late to pick my child?

It is expected that all children are picked up by 5 p.m. A late fee of $5 per child in increments of five minutes past the assigned pick-up time will be charged.

Can I have an older sibling drop off or pick up my child at ROCKS?

No, all ROCKS participants must be dropped off and picked up by an authorized adult on the account.

Do I have to go into the school when I pick up and drop off my child at ROCKS?

Yes, we require that an adult that is an authorized pick-up person comes into the school to sign your child in and to sign them out when they leave the program each day.