Park District of Highland Park | Highland Park, IL

Age Requirements

Please be sure to check the age requirements for the program before you register. The age requirements are established to ensure the integrity of the program and quality of each person’s experience. Proof of age may be required. Falsifying participant’s age or birth date will result in removal from course with no refund or transfer.

Residency

Recreation program residency rates apply to everyone who lives within Park District of Highland Park boundaries and pays Park District of Highland Park taxes including: residents of Fort Sheridan (60037); portions of the Town of Fort Sheridan that lie within Park District boundaries (60035); and Park District of Highland Park taxpayers who reside on the following Kings Cove (Deerfield) streets: Carriage Way, Bent Creek Ridge, Fox Hunt Trail, Millstone Road, Shag Bark Lane, Smoke Tree Road and Tanglewood Court. All other Deerfield street addresses and residents of Highwood do not pay Park District of Highland Park taxes and are, therefore, nonresidents of the Park District. Proof of Park District of Highland Park residency in the form of a valid Driver’s License or Illinois State ID may be required for registration.

Nonresident/Improper Registration

Those who register for Park District programs and improperly use a Highland Park address are removed from the class and no refund or transfer are given. Nonresidents pay a higher fee per program. Note: Nonresidents are not eligible for resident fees even if their caretaker provider/relative is a Highland Park resident.

Recreation program residency rates apply to everyone who lives within Park District of Highland Park boundaries and pays Park District of Highland Park taxes including: residents of Fort Sheridan (60037); portions of the Town of Fort Sheridan that lie within Park District boundaries (60035); and Park District of Highland Park taxpayers who reside on the following Kings Cove (Deerfield) streets: Carriage Way, Bent Creek Ridge, Fox Hunt Trail, Millstone Road, Shag Bark Lane, Smoke Tree Road and Tanglewood Court. All other Deerfield street addresses and residents of Highwood do not pay Park District of Highland Park taxes and are, therefore, nonresidents of the Park District. Proof of Park District of Highland Park residency in the form of a valid Driver’s License or Illinois State ID may be required for registration. Those people who register for Park District programs and improperly use a Highland Park address are removed from the class and no refund or transfer is given. Nonresidents pay a higher fee per program.

Refunds (Non-Camp Programs)

1. Refund requests may be completed online or in-person at a Park District facility.

Online – Go to http://registration.pdhp.org and log in to your online account. On the My Account menu, click Activity Cancellations. Select the program(s) you wish to cancel. Service fees will be assessed according to the schedule listed below. Follow the prompts to checkout. Your refund is not complete until you receive a receipt/confirmation.

In-Person – Fill out a Refund Request Form at the Park District facility where the participant’s program is held. The request form is forwarded to the appropriate program supervisor for approval. Service fees will be assessed according to the schedule listed below. Confirmation of the refund will be sent via email.

2. Refund must be requested at least one day prior to the program start date*. Refunds requested on or after the program start date will not be honored.

* Refunds for one-day or special events will not be honored if requested less than 10 days prior to the event start date.

 3. If a Park District class is cancelled due to lack of enrollment, a full refund will be issued.

4. Registration and the applicable payment are non-transferrable between individuals.

5. We do our best to issue refunds as soon as possible, but sometimes delays are necessary to ensure accuracy. Refunds by check can take 2-4 weeks to issue. A refund to your charge card may be processed within 3 business days; however the credit may not appear on your statement until the next billing cycle.

Current Refund Schedule and Service Fees (Non-Camp):

One Day and Special Events A $5 service fee will be assessed if the refund is requested 10 or more days prior to the event start date. Refunds requested less than 10 days prior to the event start date will not be honored.

General Recreation Programs A $12 service fee per program will be assessed if the refund is requested 10 or more days prior to the program start date. A $24 service fee per program will be assessed if the refund is requested less than 10 days prior to the program start date. No refunds permitted if requested less than one day prior to the start date of the program.

Military Personnel Program Discount Policy

The Park District of Highland Park provides all active, retired and veteran military personnel and their immediate family members resident rates plus an additional 15% discount for programs, memberships, and daily admissions, excluding select contractual programs. Register in person with proof of active or veteran service to receive the reduced rate. Call 847.831.3810 for more information.

Senior Discount

Resident seniors, 65 and over, are entitled to 15% off the regular registration fee for recreation programs and must show their ID. This does not include excursions, contractual programs, activities at special facilities or special workshops and events.

SMILE Grant-In-Aid Scholarships

The Park District of Highland Park offers Grant-In-Aid to qualifying families in Highland Park needing financial assistance. An application form (in English or Spanish) requesting detailed financial information is available at West Ridge Center or can be downloaded here. Forms must be completed and submitted to the Registration office at West Ridge Center. All Grant-In-Aids are awarded on the basis of need and availability of Grant-In-Aid funds at the time of application. Upon submission of a grant request, families will be notified in 15 working days of their grant status. Questions regarding the Grant-In-Aid program may be directed to scholarships@pdhp.org or 847.579.3101.

Good Time Guarantee

At the Park District of Highland Park, we are committed to providing the public with high quality recreation programs. Our residents are important to us and we feel they deserve quality at all times. We are so confident that our recreation programs provide high quality and enjoyment that we are backing it with a policy called the Good Time Guarantee. Our promise and policy are as follows: The Park District of Highland Park will give you a full refund if requested by the beginning of the third class if you are unsatisfied with the quality of instruction, your child’s inability to adapt emotionally in the class, or the skill level is not appropriate for the participant.

Guidelines

1. Participant must attend the first two classes of the program.

2. The Good Time Guarantee Refund Form must be filled out appropriately and received prior to the third class meeting. Forms are available at the front desk of all Park District facilities. The Park District will not fax, mail or email copies. Upon receiving your completed form before the third class we will process a full refund of your paid fees. This applies to programs six weeks or more in length.

This policy applies to recreation classes only. A recreation class is defined as a program where Park District personnel teach activities or skills over a period of six or more class periods. This policy does not apply to season memberships or passes, special events, basketball, baseball, picnic permits, camps or programs less than five weeks.

VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover Payments

If your charge card is declined or the charge number is improperly presented, your registration form remains unprocessed and is returned to you by mail.

Confirmation Letters

As a courtesy, the Park District provides a receipt to confirm your registration status once a purchase is completed. If registering in-person, you will receive a printed receipt. If registering online, you will receive an emailed receipt upon successful completion of your online transaction. Please check your spam mail if you do not receive a confirmation in your inbox. If you do not receive confirmation of your registrations, it is your responsibility to contact the Park District prior to the first day to verify your registration status. Please provide us with the program number when you call so that we can quickly assist you.

Minimum/Maximum

For each program at the Park District, there’s a minimum number of registrations needed before a class can run. Most teachers are paid per class period, not per student. So if enough people don’t register, the Park District loses money – your money. In addition, we like to keep the student/teacher ratio low to ensure you get a high quality program. In order to determine adequate registration, your registration must be received at least seven days prior to the first date the class is held. When a class is cancelled due to lack of enrollment a full refund will be issued.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

Park District services, programs and activities are subject to all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Park District will make reasonable accommodations to facilitate participation. If you have any suggestions on how to improve our recreational programs, or are an individual with disabilities or special needs, please call 847.831.3810. Those who use the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may reach the Park District at 847.579.3150.

Are You Covered?

The Park District does not carry medical or accident insurance for program participants – the costs would make program fees prohibitive. Please review your own personal health insurance plan to be certain that you and your family have the proper coverage.

Behavior Management

Participants are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. Guidelines have been developed to help make our programs safe and enjoyable for all.

Photo and Video Policy

Photos and video footage are periodically taken of people participating in District programs and activities. All persons registering for District programs/activities, Participants in District events, or using District property thereby agree that any photograph or video taken by the District may be used in District publications, advertising, marketing materials, brochures, event flyers, social media (including Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites operated by the District), and the District’s website without additional prior notice or permission and without any compensation to you. All photos and videos are property of the District.

Food Allergy Awareness

If your child is allergic to certain foods please call the program supervisor or manager upon confirmation of registration.

Program Brochure Delivery The Park District of Highland Park is pleased to provide our residents with seasonal and specialty brochures. We rely on the postal service for the distribution of our brochures in a timely manner.  The Park District of Highland Park assumes no responsibility for delivery.

Help us Reduce our Dependency on Paper

All Highland Park (60035 and 60037) and Kings Cove residents are automatically on our residential mailing list. Please note that if you submit your address to be added to the mailing list we are adding you to our email distribution list. If you have not been receiving your brochures or other Park District mailings please contact your postal carrier.

Full Camp Session Refunds

1. A full refund (less a $50 service charge per camp session) will be given if a camp refund form is properly submitted to the Park District on or before May 1.

2. No refunds are granted after May 1. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Mini Camp and Extended Camp Refunds A full refund (less a $20 service charge per camp session) will be given if a camp refund form is submitted to the Park District on or before June 11. No refunds are granted after this date. There are no exceptions to this policy.

Transfers Transfers from one camp to another must be made on or before May 1. If additional fees are required, payment is due at the time of transfer.

Age Requirements When choosing an age-appropriate camp for your child, use the grade that your child will be entering in Fall 2021. All campers in preschool programs must be of age by the first day of camp. Proof of age may be required; see individual camp listings.

Staff Supervision Each camp is supervised daily by a qualified adult director. Some camps depending on size also have an assistant director. Each camp’s high school- or college-age counselors are chosen carefully by the Park District for their demonstration of maturity and enthusiasm. All camp staff members complete an extensive training program, which includes supervision and safety techniques, activity development and first aid.

Parent Manuals Parent manuals for camps are mailed. These booklets contain all of the information you’ll need to know about camp, including lunch, field trips, swimming activities, camp clothes, hours, busing schedules and more. This manual also includes an emergency form.

Emergency Form The Park District does not require children to have a medical examination to attend camp. However, it is important to accurately complete the emergency form that is included in your parent manual. If your child has special needs such as allergies, phobias or medical alerts such as epilepsy or asthma, please include this information with home and work phone numbers on the form we provide. These forms must be returned to your camper’s director on the first day of camp.

Camp Nurse The camp nurse is accessible to staff during camp hours by cell phone and reviews all emergency forms, medical forms and accident reports, assists in medical distribution, checks first aid supplies and assists in other areas.

Special Accommodations ADA Information The Park District of Highland Park encourages participation by everyone! If you or a family member have special needs and would like to participate in a program, we will be happy to make reasonable modification(s) to meet your needs. Please indicate on the registration form if you would like information regarding our inclusion programs and/or specifically identifying any need for and request for reasonable modification(s) according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Park District of Highland Park provides recreational opportunities for all residents of Highland Park. People with and without disabilities are encouraged and invited to register for all Park District of Highland Park programs of interest. People with disabilities will not be discriminated against in the delivery of Park District of Highland Park programs. To discuss our policies, programs or services or to raise a claim of discrimination on the basis of disability, contact Brian Romes, our ADA Coordinator, at 847.831.3810.

Location Changes Please note that a camp location may be changed from time to time due to unforeseen building repairs and construction schedules.

Facility Usage The Park District of Highland Park would like to recognize and thank School District 112 and School District 113 for use of their facilities.

Contacting the Office If you need to leave a message for staff members or call in for a sick child, call 847.831.3810 beginning at 7:30AM, Monday through Friday.

Contacting Your Child’s Camp Director Also, as part of our ongoing goal to communicate with parents, the Park District has equipped directors with a cell phone enhanced with an in-house walkie-talkie feature. Peace of mind and the safety of your camper are only a phone call away!

Reporting Safety Concerns The Park District is committed to providing a safe place for your recreational activities. We encourage Highland Park residents to report safety concerns about our facilities and parks by calling 847.831.3968. You can leave a message any time of the day, seven days a week. Because of the high volume of people using our facilities each day, our facilities can change daily. We want to know if you see something that concerns you.

Camp Newsletter In keeping with the Park District’s Green Initiative, we will be going paperless with the weekly newsletters. More information on accessing the camp newsletters will be coming in the parent manuals.

Camp Friendship Requests Friendship requests may only be submitted for Camp Sunshine, Junior Crew, Senior Crew, Senior Crew XL, Jr. Varsity Sports, Varsity Sports, Girls Play Strong,  Junior, Senior, & Super Senior Spotlighters. Due to the unique structure of activities at all other camps, children are placed into camper groupings and friendship requests are not available. The Friendship Request Form is in the center spread insert. Guidelines for making a friendship request:

• Only one friend may be placed with your child. Both must be entering the same grade in the fall and be of the same gender.
• Friendship requests are only accepted with a completed Friendship Request form. This may submitted online 2021 Friendship Request Form, be mailed or dropped off at Recreation Center of Highland Park.
• You may only request one friend. Friendship requests must be mutual.
• Friendship requests are not accepted after May 31.
• Requests to be separated from other campers will not be honored.

General Information General Notice Pesticide Application Notification The Park District of Highland Park strives for quality and safety when designing and providing a maintenance program for your parks. Managing pests is only one aspect, yet an important one, of the overall management course. Our approach to controlling pests is termed IPM or Integrated Pest Management. IPM is a system utilizing a great deal of observation and multiple tactics for maintaining landscapes and controlling pests of turf grass, ornamentals and woodlands. By using IPM, we meet our objectives of maximizing cultural, biological and environmental controls while minimizing chemical use. Occasionally, chemical means are necessary. When these are used on Park District grounds, notification is made through posting of signs in the area, as well as contacting residents, by phone or email, listed on our “turf care notification registry.” If you would like to be added to the notification registry, please call the Director of Parks at 847.579.4082.