OUR MISSION: Spirit of the Heart’s mission is to inspire personal transformation through martial arts, fitness and self-defense training in a compassionate environment.
We teach Indonesian Silat Martial Arts and STRONG™ Self-Defense.
We help to empower people to be healthy, strong and awesome!
Our Integrity is unspoken. It is the unfailing framework from which we build our programs, and our community.
We are invested in the personal growth and development of all our students and staff. We foster an environment for students to safely learn, explore, and self-discover.
Respect is inherent in all of our interactions among students, families and staff. Respect means accepting and celebrating our differences.
Optimism is at our core. We believe that anything is possible and that every person is capable of creating positive change in themselves and in the world
Cooperation is key to our success as a community and as a business. We work together, learn from one another, and build valuable friendships in the process.
Innovative curricula are what make us stand out in our field. Not only do we teach a traditional martial art with belt level recognitions, but we also showcase lessons in body awareness, strength training, meditation, boundary setting, and positive communication skills. We are always striving to work better and smarter to serve our students and families.
Compassion is what drives our service, and that compassion extends to students and parents. Our care for people extends into everything we do.
All ages and genders are welcome to attend lessons at
the studio, with programs for everybody.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SECTION 1
CARE OF MILD TO SERIOUS ILLNESS
Children who are not feeling well prior to the start of camp are asked to stay home. Should a camper become ill during the day, the camp director will contact the parent or guardian to make arrangements for the child to be picked up within one hour. Please keep your child home if they have any of these symptoms or if any diagnosis occurs:
strep throat
Fever 101F or over in past 24 hours
Head lice with active lice
Hepatitis
Sore Throat
Impetigo
Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Rubella
Congestion or Runny Nose
Conjunctivitis
Skin Rash
Headache
Diarrhea
Pinworms or Ringworms
Nausea or Vomiting
Cough
INJURY AND EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE
If a child attending the program is injured or seriously ill, a trained staff member will provide first aid to the child should they require medical attention. First aid kits are available at all times for this purpose. If a child needs emergency medical care as a result of an illness, accident or injury, a staff member will contact emergency medical professionals (911). Parents/guardians will be notified, staff will remain with the child until parents or guardians arrive. A medical log will be maintained by the medical coordinator /Director which shall contain a record of all children's health complaints and treatment. Injury reports will be kept and reviewed by the director and medical coordinator.
MEDICATION AND HEALTH POLICY:
Spirit of the Heart is not responsible for administration of any prescription medication or over the counter medication. Parents may bring medication and administer to their own child, inhalers and epinephrine auto-injector are the exception to this requirement. A letter from your doctor is required with directions for inhalers and epinephrine auto-injector.
If any medication is handled by Spirit of the Heart staff, all prescription medication must be in the original prescription bottle and must be dispensed by state law according to the directions on the label. If the doctor has changed the dosage or directions for administration, please submit a signed letter from your physician with the new directions. This letter must include the camper’s full name, dosage amount, delivery time(s), and any limitations. DO NOT repackage drugs or submit another person’s medication. (This is prohibited by Massachusetts law). Medications will be turned into the Director at check-in. No medication including over the counter products will be given without prior consent from parents/guardians.
Spirit of the heart reserves the right to request proof of a student’s medical fitness to engage in any and all activities, at any time, at the discretion of the director, for any reason
All full-time staff are First Aid and CPR trained, and one such staff person will be with campers at all times.
SECTION 2
INCLEMENT & EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS:
Please always plan ahead regarding the clothing you or your child brings. Be aware of rain or extreme heat in the forecast and understand that the schedule often remains uninterrupted by the weather. This makes it crucial that you or your child is prepared for whatever weather we encounter and needs to be dressed accordingly. Water will be offered throughout the day. For camp and other programs sunscreen, as provided by the parents, will be applied by your child as necessary. That said, when inclement weather exists, the schedule may be interrupted to avoid exposure to the dangerous elements (high winds, lightning, extreme heat or cold, etc.). Special attention will be given to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. On particularly hot or humid days, the daily schedule may be disrupted in lieu of activities that help keep students cool, hydrated and sun-exposure will be moderated.
SECTION 3
PHONE
Students are encouraged to leave their phones at home. If it is necessary to bring a phone, store it in a cubby with other belongings. Spirit of the Heart is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged phones.
If an emergency arises at home, your camper can receive a message. Campers are not permitted personal use of the camp phones, and should not bring cell phones to camp. All calls to camper’s parents will be done by camp staff, meaning campers are not allowed to make calls out of camp.
ELECTRONICS/VALUABLES/TOYS:
DO NOT BRING electronic devices or other valuables to camp. We cannot ensure their safety and such items can have a very negative impact on the campers’ experiences.
LOST AND FOUND:
LOST AND FOUND:
Please label all belongings with the child's full name! Children tend to borrow, loan, exchange, forget and find clothes from others. We will try to get it all straight before they return home, but camp assumes no responsibility for lost articles. The lost items will be left at camp and if you realize that your child is missing an item of clothing, please contact the camp immediately to see if it is at camp.
SECTION 4
EVACUATION/EMERGENCY/FIRE PLAN
The Evacuation Point is the Parking Lot Adjacent to the Studio at 184 Northampton Street. See Emergency Plan Document. In the event of fire or an emergency inside of or near the camp building, all camp staff will immediately escort campers to Evacuation Point. Fire Drills will be held within the first 24 hours of the beginning of each camping session as required by law.
SECTION 5
STATEMENT ON COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
I believe equal opportunity is extremely important and every student is unique in their own way. I strive to create an open, inclusive, and equal environment in which every student has the opportunity to flourish.
SECTION 6
GENERAL RULES & EXPECTATIONS:
Students shall take a caring and respectful approach with themselves, fellow-campers, staff, and
property.
Students will refrain from the use of obscene, abusive or profane language or gestures in light of
its offensiveness to others at the camp.
Students shall not attempt to harm others or behave in a way that endangers themselves, fellow campers, staff or property.
Students shall not misuse or damage property.
students shall remain within supervised areas at all times.
UNRECOGNIZED PERSON:
If a person of unknown origin is encountered, Staff will ask them to identify themselves, if they claim to be with a camper and are not listed as an authorized adult they will be required to leave and/or wait in their vehicle. Parents/guardians of the camper who the individual claimed to be with will be contacted. If a person cannot be identified, staff will contact police and lock the premises till they arrive.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY:
Bullying is when one or more people exclude, tease, taunt, gossip, hit, kick, or put down another person with the intent to hurt another. At Spirit of the Heart bullying is inexcusable, and we have a firm policy to protect our campers from any type of bullying. We work together as a team to ensure the physical and mental safety of each child.
FIRST OFFENSE: Parents will be notified of the incident and asked to reinforce the camp staff’s message of appropriate and kind behavior upon the camper’s return home. Incident will be documented and kept on record.
SECOND OFFENSE: Child will be removed from camp immediately and placed on a one-day suspension from camp. Steps from the first offense will be repeated.
THIRD OFFENSE: Child will be removed from camp and asked not to return. Incident will be documented and kept on record.
Extremely violent, disruptive and/or threatening behavior (such as bringing a weapon in the program, inflicting serious injury, threatening to hurt other children or staff, property damage, intentionally fleeing the program, etc.) can result in calling the police and immediate termination from camp at any time.
DISCIPLINE POLICY:
Discipline and guidance shall be consistent, based upon current American Academy of Pediatrics Childcare Guidance on effective discipline, and based on an understanding of the individual needs and the level of maturity of each child. Developmentally appropriate methods of behavioral management will be used with the goal of maximizing the growth and development of the children and for protecting the group and individuals within the group. Repeated behaviors that threaten the physical and/or emotional safety of the child, other children, or staff (such as hitting, biting, verbal assault, kicking, throwing objects, pushing, temper tantrums, etc.) could result in the following (please note that this is a sliding scale depending on the severity of the incident which is ultimately a judgment call by senior staff):
First Occurrence: The child will be removed from the situation and have the opportunity to discuss the incident with a staff person. Alternate appropriate behaviors will be suggested at that time. An incident report will be written to document the behavior.
Second Occurrence: The child will again be removed from the situation and given the chance for discussion. An incident report will be completed and the guardian will be informed through email from the Director.
Third Occurrence: There will be a meeting between the guardian(s), Camp Director, and the head camp counselor to develop a behavior management plan. During this meeting the Director will be willing to offer referrals to parents for evaluation, diagnostic or therapeutic services.
Fourth Occurrence: The camper will be asked to leave the camp without a refund.
PLEASE NOTE: The following will be grounds for immediate removal from the program without a refund: possession of smoking materials, possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, fireworks, weapons of any sort, severe physical fighting or violence directed toward other children or staff, intentionally fleeing from the group.
All children have the right to expect a safe and secure environment while attending camp. We expect mutual respect among campers and staff members. Enforcement and emphasis of basic rules promotes a positive attitude toward campers and staff members, with the goal that campers will abide by camp policies and procedures. The Camp Director and staff will interpret these rules and particular attention will be paid to safeguard the dignity of each person involved.
Camp Safety: all campers are required to follow the safety rules in place at the facility. Camp counselors are trained to supervise, support, and guide each child to ensure that every child has a safe camper experience during their time at Camp.
Corporal punishment, including spanking, is prohibited. No camper shall be subjected to cruel or severe punishment, humiliation, or verbal abuse. No camper shall be denied food, water or shelter. No child shall be punished for soiling, wetting or not using the toilet.
REPORTING CHILD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT:
Spirit of the Heart Staff is obligated by state law to report to and cooperate with the Department of Children and Families if there is any suspected child abuse or neglect.
SECTION 7
READINESS TO PARTICIPATE:
My child will only participate in those activities that Spirit of the Heart and I, as parent/guardian, believe they are physically and psychologically able. My child will not participate if they are sick, injured, or in any way unable to do so.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
Spirit of the Heart staff members make every effort to conduct safe programs, to orient and support children, and to inform families of inherent risks. Some activities may involve risks that children do not routinely encounter at home. You acknowledge that it is neither possible for Spirit of the Heart to foresee every contingency nor to eliminate all risk. Program activities include, but are not limited to: martial arts practice, group games, outdoor play, and self-defense practice.
I acknowledge that such risks exist, and I hereby agree on behalf of my child to assume such risks. Further, on behalf of my child, I hereby release and forever discharge, and agree not to sue, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Spirit of the Heart, Inc., and its officers, directors, employees, consultants and volunteers from and against any and all liabilities and obligations of every kind and description, which I shall or may have against them or any one or more of them arising out of, or in connection with, my child’s participation in the Spirit of the Heart program and activities, including, but not limited to, sickness or death caused by the COVID-19 virus or any other communicable disease, or for any personal injury or loss that my child may suffer while participating in the Spirit of the Heart program and activities, excepting in the case of gross negligence by Spirit of the Heart.
I understand that the COVID-19 virus is an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily through person to-person contact and I am familiar with the Center for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommendations to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 virus can lead to severe illness, personal injury, permanent disability and death. Participating in Spirit of the Heart programs or accessing Spirit of the Heart facilities may increase the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. I understand and agree on behalf of my child that my child and I share the responsibility for safety during Spirit of the Heart programs and activities, and I personally assume on behalf of my child that responsibility.
I agree that if my child, or any person living with my child, is exposed to the COVID-19 virus within the last 14 days he/she/they will not attend camp. I agree that if my child is experiencing or has experienced in the past 14 days, fever, cough or shortness of breath he/she/they will not attend camp.
AUTHORIZATION FOR AUDIO/VIDEO RECORD:
As the Parent/Guardian of this child, I understand that the Spirit of the Heart may make recordings of this camping event. I hereby authorize Spirit of the Heart to have and use photographs, slides, moving pictures, and audio/video tapes of my child for purposes of public relations, and/or advertising. Opt-out option is available
SECTION 8
DROP OFF AND PICK UP:
For Drivers: Always be Hyper-Alert when Driving into and Out of the Parking Lot.
Drive Under 5 mph at All Times.
Parking Locations:
If All spots are full, You May Pull All the Way Forward and Park Briefly, Next to Trash Bins, Near the Building Next Door.
NEVER Park Parallel to the short cement wall dividing our parking lot from the grassy area.
You May Park at 184 Northampton Street, Adjacent to Our Parking Lot.
To Access the Studio, Walk Towards the Building at 184 Northampton Street.
Use Paved Walking Path Leading to Our Parking Lot.
Cross our Lot in Front of the Trash Dumpster
Walk Under the Awning of the Building to the Studio.
NEVER Cross the Parking Lot from Small Cement Wall to Our Studio or Studio to Cement Wall
Parents with children 9 years old and younger must escort your child to the front door at the start of each class and pick-up your child from the front door at the end of each class.
AUTHORIZED TO PICK UP:
Children will be released only to parents, guardians and adults authorized on the registration form. If you wish to add authorized adults to this list, please inform staff so they can update the form. When an authorized adult is picking up, they MUST PRESENT VALID IDENTIFICATION (driver’s license or other formal ID). Your child will not be released to anyone not already listed on the registration form under the authorized pick-up section. If an authorized adult is not there to pick up a child at the end of the day, the child will stay with staff till parent or authorized adult is available.
LATE PICK-UP POLICY:
Please pick up your Child on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late to pick up your child from camp a $1 per minute in additional fees to cover the costs associated with staff time. This $1 a minute policy is used at the director's discretion.
SECTION 9
DAILY PARTICIPANT NEEDS:
Suitable and appropriate clothing for a variety of activities: sports and games and activities,
and arts and crafts. Please note that the daily activities of participants may cause permanent
marring of clothing, and plan accordingly.
Appropriate clothing for both indoor and outdoor play.
Sweatshirt or Jacket with participant’s name marked on it.
Change of clothing including undergarments with camper’s name marked on them.
A hat or other head covering for outdoor play with the participant's name marked on it.
Sunscreen with SPF 25 or greater, lip balm, and bug spray (if desired), with camper’s name marked on it.
A reusable water bottle, with the participant's name marked on it.
Daily home packed lunch, with the participant's name marked on it.
***We are a Peanut-Free Facility***
An additional snack, with the participant's name marked on it.
Your child/children must be fully toilet trained to attend.
DAILY ACTIVITIES:
9:00am - 9:30am - Arrive and Free Play Inside
9:30am - 10:00am - Cooperative Games
10:00am - 11:00am - Martial Arts and Self-Defense
11:00am - 12:00pm - Art Project /Snack
12:00pm - 12:30pm - Lunch
12:30pm - 1:30pm - Outside Time or Kid STRONG™ Role-Plays
1:30pm - 2:30pm - Martial Arts and Self-Defense
2:30pm - 3:00pm - Cooperative Games
3:00pm - Pick-Up
LUNCH/SNACKS:
Participants must provide their own morning snacks, lunch and utensils. Please pack lunches in a lunchbox with freezer packs if needed along with snacks throughout the day. Lunches will not be refrigerated or warmed for campers. ***We are a Peanut-Free Facility***
If a participant doesn’t show up for the day.
Parents or Caregivers are contacted.
If a participant is missing, does not show up at the pickup point.
We stay at our program location, so there is close to no chance of a child leaving the premises. If the child went missing, we would notify the parent/guardian immediately.
If a child who is not registered arrives to the program.
Communicate with Parent/Guardian to make a plan for registration documentation to be completed if space allows or if no space is available, reject their registration.
**Parents/Guardians are welcome to request information on Spirit of the Heart’s discipline policies, grievances procedures, health care policies and background checks. **
