Being the participant or parent/legal guardian of a minor participating in a Upper Valley Circus Collective (UVCC) program, event, camp, class, workshops or show of any kind agrees that no claim will be made by the undersigned, on behalf of myself or the minor participant, for personal injuries or other losses sustained as a result of participation in any UVCC program(s).

In the case of an emergency, I hereby give permission to the staff of the medical facility treating myself or said minor participant to administer all necessary treatment in my absence. I, for myself and dependent minor, release The Upper Valley Circus Collective along with any and all of their officers, members, directors, coaches, teachers, employees, staff and volunteers, from any and all liability for personal injury, or property damages resultant from, or occurring during participation in any of the programs, shows, camps, workshops or other offered by UVCC.

The undersigned acknowledges that his/her or the dependent minor(s) participation in the program may reasonably be considered dangerous and that although all safety measures available have been taken, there is inherent risk for me and/or said minor when participating in these physical activities and using any/all of the circus equipment provided.

UVCC takes many photos and videos of our campers during their time with us to utilize on social media and marketing campaigns. We also hire a professional photographer to take candid pictures as well as final show pictures that we share at the end of camp with our families.

By enrolling in a UVCC program you understand that you are granting permission and authorize UVCC and all its affiliates to photograph and/or video tape your minor child(ren) for the purpose of publication in marketing materials including all print ads and internet postings.

Statement of Intent
We are committed to providing a caring, friendly and safe environment for all of our campers so they can learn in a relaxed and secure atmosphere. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at The Upper Valley Circus Camp (UVCC).

If bullying does occur, all children, coaches, staff and families should be able to tell and know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively.

We are a TELLING camp. This means that anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell the coaches or staff.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is the use of aggression with the intention of hurting another person.
Bullying results in pain and distress to the victim.

Bullying can be:
• Emotional being unfriendly, excluding, tormenting (e.g. hiding books, threatening gestures)
• Physical pushing, kicking, hitting, punching or any use of violence
• Racist racial taunts, graffiti, gestures
• Sexual unwanted physical contact or sexually abusive comments
• Homophobic because of, or focusing on the issue of sexuality
• Verbal name-calling, sarcasm, spreading rumors, teasing
• Cyber All areas of internet ,such as email & internet chat room misuse
*Mobile threats by text messaging & calls
*Misuse of associated technology , i.e. camera &video facilities.

Why is it Important to Respond to Bullying?
-Bullying hurts.
-No one deserves to be a victim of bullying.
-Everybody has the right to be treated with respect.
-Children who are bullying need to learn different ways of behaving.

UVCC and all of our coaches or volunteers has a responsibility to respond promptly and effectively to issues of bullying.

Objectives of this Policy:
• All teaching and non-teaching staff, troupers and parents should have an understanding of what bullying is.
• All teaching and non-teaching staff/coaches should know what the camp policy is on bullying, and follow it when bullying is reported.
• All children and parents should know what the camp policy is on bullying, and what they should do if bullying arises.
• As a camp family we take bullying seriously. Children and parents should be assured that they will be supported when bullying is reported.
• Bullying will not be tolerated and campers may be asked to leave the camp.

Signs and Symptoms:
A child may indicate by signs or behavior that he or she is being bullied. Adults should be aware of these possible signs and investigate if a child:

• is frightened of walking to or from school
• doesn't want to go on the school / public bus
• begs to be driven to school
• changes their usual routine
• is unwilling to go to school (school phobic)
• begins to truant
• becomes withdrawn, anxious, or lacking in confidence
• starts stammering
• attempts or threatens suicide or runs away
• cries themselves to sleep at night or has nightmares
• feels ill in the morning
• begins to do poorly in school work
• comes home with clothes torn or books damaged
• has possessions which are damaged or " go missing"
• asks for money or starts stealing money (to pay bully)
• has dinner or other monies continually "lost"
• has unexplained cuts or bruises
• comes home starving (money / lunch has been stolen)
• becomes aggressive, disruptive or unreasonable
• is bullying other children or siblings
• stops eating
• is frightened to say what's wrong
• gives improbable excuses for any of the above
• is afraid to use the internet or mobile phone
• is nervous & jumpy when a cyber message is received

These signs and behaviors could indicate other problems, but bullying should be considered a possibility and should be investigated.

Procedures
1. Report bullying incidents to the coaches or staff
2. In cases of serious bullying, the incidents will be recorded by staff or coaches
3. In serious cases parents will be informed and asked to come in to a meeting and discuss the problem
4. If necessary and appropriate, police will be consulted
5. The bullying behavior or threats of bullying must be investigated and the bullying stopped quickly
6. An attempt will be made to help the bully (bullies) change their behavior

Outcomes
1) The bully (bullies) may be asked to genuinely apologize. Other consequences may take place.
2) If possible, the children will be reconciled
3) After the incident / incidents have been investigated and dealt with, each case will be monitored to ensure repeated bullying does not take place.
4) In any case of bullying, suspension or even exclusion will be considered

Source: Kidscape 2005

Concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury, is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth-literally causing the brain to bounce around or twist within the skull. This sudden movement of the brain causes stretching and tearing of brain cells, damaging the cells and creating chemical changes in the brain. (hSp://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/custom/headsupconcussion_fact_sheet_coaches.pdf)

All of The Upper Valley Circus Camp (UVCC) coaches, staff and volunteers are required to complete, annually, the CDC HeadsUp Training program prior to working with campers. This training is designed to help anyone working with campers know the signs and symptoms of a concussion. If a coach, staff member or volunteer feels a camper has sustained a head injury of any kind as detailed above, they have the right to immediately remove the camper from all activities.

Once a camper is removed from activity after suffering a blow to either body or head, the following steps must be completed in full prior to the camper returning to daily activities:

1. Camper will be removed from all activities and monitored for signs of concussion.
A) If the camper shows no signs of concussion symptoms they may resume their normal camp activities. Parents/Guardians will be notified at pick up of the incident and asked to monitor the child for the next day should symptoms arise.
B) If the camper shows mild to moderate symptoms of a concussion (headache, dizziness, light sensitivity, neck pain, etc.) The Parents/Guardians will be notified immediately to pick up their camper and get them evaluated by a heath care professional.
C) Emergency Medical Services will be called if symptoms are severe. (loss of consciousness, vomit, pupil
different sizes, signs of disorientation/confusion, severe nausea or headache) Parents/Guardians will be notified immediately if this occurs.

2. Campers showing any signs of concussion shall remain out of all activities on the same day of the injury until cleared by a health care provider. The coaches, staff members and volunteers will not try to judge the severity of the injury and only a health care provider should assess a camper for the severity of a concussion.

3. The UVCC coaches, staff members and volunteers will record and share information about the injury, such as how it happened and the campers symptoms, to help a health care provider assess the situation.

4. Inform the campers parent(s) or guardian(s) about the concussion or possible concussion and refer them to CDC’s web site for concussion information. To read more please visit the www.cdc.gov/headsup

5. We will require written instructions and permission from the campers health care provider and parent/guardian, about the steps we should take to help the camper safely return to activities.

Thank you for your continued trust and patience in our programs as we work to make sure our UVCC family remains healthy while creating our unique programs and amazing camp memories!

As with the transmission of any communicable disease like a cold or the flu, you may be exposed to COVID-19, also known as "Coronavirus," at any time or in any place. Be assured
that we have followed state and federal regulations, recommended
universal personal protection (masks) and disinfection protocols to limit transmission
of all diseases in our camps and workshops and will continue to do so.

Despite our careful attention to sterilization, disinfection, and use of personal
equipment when appropriate, there is still a chance that you could be exposed to COVID-19 or other illness at our camps, just as you might be at your gym, grocery store, or favorite restaurant. Due to the nature of our programs and the experience we provide, it is not possible to maintain social distancing between the campers, coaches, staff, or volunteers at all times or provide personal training equipment for all skills. Circus arts are, by nature, a hands on and team effort that relies on close human contact to be successful and therefore will carry some element of risk for all participants.

Although UVCC will be doing everything in our power to reduce any risk to your child or your families we will need to also rely on you to ensure the safety of all participants at our camp. Please read the following carefully as we will be requiring and enforcing the following guidelines as our new COVID-19 protocols.

If your camper is experiencing any COVID symptoms please keep them home and do not come to camp!
COVID Protocols: we are not requiring blanket COVID tests to begin camp...BUT if you have been exposed to someone with a positive COVID test here are the rules moving forward.

Please take an at home Rapid Antigen test Monday morning before camp. If it is negative you may attend camp with a mask for 5 days after your exposure.
If you live with the exposure please be sure to isolate yourself from them, including not sharing a bathroom when possible and masking indoors.
After the 5 days of isolating and as long as your symptoms are improving, you may return to camp while wearing a mask for an additional 5 days.
If you test negative you may return to camp.

UVCC takes our campers, coaches, staff, and volunteers’ safety very seriously and we will continue to do our best to remain COVID free and limit any exposures whenever and wherever possible.

UVCC registration fees, tuition and deposits are non-refundable. Should you or your child not make it to your purchased class or camp, need to leave early for any reason, or are asked to leave due to unsafe behavior, injury, bullying or any other reason, your registration fees and/or tuition will not be refunded.