Park Programs Handbook

The City of Aventura has a great team of committed, caring and skilled employees that will create an amazing experience for the community.

Please be sure to read this handbook thoroughly so you and your family understand all the rules and guidelines prior to attending the program. 

Safety Protocols

The City of Aventura is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and operating in accordance with the Miami Dade County Moving to A New Normal Handbook along with federal, state, and local laws.

Healthy Hygiene  

Please be sure to do your part as it is important to take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread. The CDC recommends the following:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are sick
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people.   This will be referred to as physical or social distancing.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others.
• Remember to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. 

Shared Objects

All participants must bring their own water bottle and personal belongings per sport. For example:

• Tennis racquet for Tennis programs
• Bat/glove for adult softball programs
• Mat for complimentary park programs such as Yoga, Zumba, etc. 

The City provides the specific soccer ball(s) for Soccer programs.

Preparing for When Someone Gets Sick

The City of Aventura kindly asks that you do not attend any City program that you or your child(ren) are registered for if any of the following apply: 

• Received positive test results for COVID
• Currently awaiting test results for COVID
• Currently under quarantine
• Experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms

We thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in taking these safety measures during this time.

Employees and children should not come to the program if they are sick. If a participant becomes sick during program hours, the parent/guardian will be notified immediately. Please notify City staff at parksrec@cityofaventura.com if your child has been recently ill and if your child’s activities need to be restricted due to illness. Children may not attend program if they have symptoms of a suspected communicable disease, including without limitation: 

 Your child should not return to the program without medical authorization or until the signs and symptoms of the disease or illness are no longer present.   A doctor’s note would be required upon returning to a program.

Accidents and Injuries

During regular business hours or while your child is enrolled in one of our programs, certified employees with current and valid certifications in first aid training and infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures will provide emergency care as needed. Basic first aid will be administered to a child for a minor injury. Because many children may have unknown allergies or reactions to certain types of first aid supplies, employees will only use soap and water to clean the injured area, apply ice, and cover with a Band-Aid as needed. 

For injuries requiring emergency care, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue will be called, and the child's custodial parent or legal guardian will be notified immediately. In the event a custodial parent, legal guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached, an employee will seek medical treatment for the child, as authorized by the custodial parent or legal guardian (whether in the child’s registration form, release form or other relevant documents).

Child Bullying, Discipline, and Behavior Policy

At any of our programs, bullying is inexcusable, and we have a firm policy against all types of bullying. Each child is expected to treat all other children with respect, and to help each other achieve the best possible experience. If a child has difficulty meeting this expectation, parents may be called upon to assist. Our leadership addresses all incidents of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication with their staff and their children. We work together as a team to ensure that children gain self-confidence and make new friends as part of their program experience.

The following measures may be implemented, if a child does not respond to the City as well as coaches’ techniques:

1. Parent conferences to discuss difficulties and ask for input
2. Implement improvement plan for child
3. Short-term suspension
4. Removal from our program

We do not make it a practice to terminate the participation of children from the program. However, we do reserve the right to do so if the child's behavior is not conducive to the health, safety, or well-being of other children enrolled in the program, our employees or volunteers, or your own child's personal safety. We also reserve the right to terminate services for inappropriate behavior by parents or guardians. No credit or refund will be given if a child is suspended or expelled from the program.

Program Attendance

Parents/legal guardians or an authorized adult are required to pick-up and drop-off their child(ren) to the program(s). All participants are checked-in on the attendance sheet at the welcome booth upon park entry.

Confidentiality

All information about children enrolled in a City of Aventura program is regarded as confidential.  No information regarding an individual child will be released to anyone, except as required by law or if written authorization is obtained from the child’s parent or legal guardian and fees may apply.

Registration – Online Only

Registration for program(s) can completed online at cityofaventura.com/ors. This is a new registration program and requires an account to register for program(s) and process payment transactions online. Downloadable instructions are also available at cityofaventura.com/ors for support to create a new account. The City reserves the right to request additional information to validate information such as proof of age, proof of Aventura residency, and proof of Miami Dade County residency at any time during the program. Providing any false information to create an account and register for programs such as but not limited to the altering of the child’s age, providing a false residency, withdrawing of payment, etc. will result in the inactivation of account and the expulsion of the program. It may also result in the expulsion of all future City programs. 

Registration Deadline - Tennis Camps Only

All registrations must be completed by the Saturday prior to the session start date. A $20 late registration fee may apply to any registrations completed on or after the Sunday prior to the start date.

Payment Procedures

All payments for the program(s) must be paid in full at the time of registration. Acceptable forms of payment include: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. Do not refresh your browser during the payment process until a receipt has been issued. The City of Aventura cannot hold space for any participant and payment plans are not available.

Refund Policy

NO refunds will be provided for ANY reason. The only exception that refunds will be issued if the program is cancelled by the City of Aventura. Any dispute for a payment refund with your credit card merchant may result in the expulsion from all future City programs.

Late Pick-Up Fee Policy

Starting 5 minutes after the program has concluded, a $1.00 pick up fee will be charged for every one-minute increment the child stays past the scheduled program time. The late fee is due at the time of pick-up. If not paid within two business days, the fee will be added to the household account and must be paid before registering for another program or class. If for any reason, the child is not picked up within two hours after the program ends, and contact cannot be made with the parent, the Aventura Police Department will be notified to take custody of the child. 

Thank You

Thank you for your support and patience. The City of Aventura is committed to offering these services to the community that provides the safest environment for everyone. Always remember that safety is priority when it comes to caring for your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free email us at parksrec@cityofaventura.com or directly to any of the employees listed below on this handbook. Also, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can ensure that your child’s experience is exceptional. Again, thank you for choosing the City of Aventura. We look forward to seeing you and your child!

Jamie Evers
Parks and Recreation Manager