KBIA Policies

MEMBERSHIP

We welcome everyone to join! In order to be eligible to register for KBIA classes for Weeks 2-8, you must be a KBIA member and pay the annual membership fee. One membership is required per family, which is defined as one or more generations living in the same household, with members of the younger generation being direct descendants of the older generation. Nonmembers are welcome to sign up for classes for Week 1 without paying a membership fee; however, class registrations do apply. Please note that KBIA memberships, once processed, are non-refundable as they are tax-deductible contributions to KBIA as a 501 (c) (3) (the membership is deductible with the exception of a $25 administrative fee). For more information, see the Membership page on our website here or email the Office at [email protected].

CLASS REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION

Classes fill quickly! Memberships can be renewed/acquired online here at any time. However, all class registrations are processed beginning on Saturday, March 2 at 10 AM Eastern Time. If you submit registrations electronically, they will be processed by Office staff at that time and in the order they are received AT THE SAME TIME that online registration is open to all.

WAITING LIST: If any of the classes you select are filled, you have the option to register for the wait-list. KBIA will notify you if you are moved from the waitlist to full enrollment. At any time, you can check your status on the waitlist through your online Daxko portal.

PAYMENT: In order to be processed, all required forms must be accompanied by complete payment of the annual membership and class fees at the time of registration. Alternative payment plans may be available if needed; please contact the Program Administrator at [email protected] to inquire about alternate plans. Payments may be made by credit card through Daxko. Check payments may be mailed or brought to the KBIA Office during office hours. Cash payments are only accepted in person during Office Hours beginning June 17, 2024.

CLASS & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

In order to attend classes, each child must be the specified age for their age group by June 15, 2024. Unless a child is enrolled in Adventures or the Bundled Class schedule, KBIA does not provide supervision of children outside of scheduled class time. KBIA has an open-campus policy. KBIA faculty and staff are not responsible for the supervision or accountability of children when they are not attending KBIA classes. KBIA assumes responsibilities for children once they arrive at class and for the duration of the class. At drop-off, parents or guardians can indicate to the class instructor the individual who is responsible for picking up the child (pre-approved and listed in your Daxko profile) or if they child is allowed to leave independently. Children arriving to class independently will be allowed to leave class independently.

WEATHER WARNING: The weather on the waterfront can change quickly. Be sure your child has sun protection and appropriate clothing for all weather conditions. Some classes have specific physical, dress, and equipment requirements. Please read the online class descriptions carefully. If you need assistance meeting class requirements, please contact the KBIA at [email protected] or call (207) 967-2180.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
KBIA encourages all age-eligible student participants to be vaccinated against COVID-19 but does not require it.

Additional detail is provided at our COVID-19 Protocols page.

CANCELLATIONS

WEATHER & OTHER CANCELLATIONS: Many classes are weather-dependent. KBIA’s primary concern is safety. KBIA makes every attempt to provide alternative opportunities in bad weather. Any classes that must be cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions of any kind – weather or otherwise – are not refundable. A red flag on the lifeguard stand is considered a weather cancellation for Surfing; classes will proceed in green and yellow flags.

WITHDRAWAL FEES: All cancellations requested 2+ weeks prior to the schedule class(es) are fully refundable minus a $10 withdrawal fee per class ($3 for Movie Nights and Tennis Walks). If a student withdraws the week prior to the week of a scheduled class, KBIA will refund 50% of the class charge(s). These requests must be made in person at the KBIA Office or by emailing [email protected]. No refunds are offered after 2PM on the Thursday before class begins. The Program Administrator must approve all refunds.

CLASS CANCELLATION: If KBIA cancels a class due to low enrollment, we will notify you and issue a refund in the form of your original payment.

ABSENCES: Once registered, unless an approved refund is granted, KBIA will not refund class fees if children miss class or choose not to attend. Absence does not trigger a refund unless it is for an approved medical condition and communicated to the KBIA Office staff.

OVERLAPPING CLASS REGISTRATIONS: KBIA has a large selection of classes, some of which conflict in times with others. For instance, Marine Biology can conflict with the Morning Bundle. Some parents sign their child up for so they can attend Marine Biology on the one day a week it is offered. In this scenario, the child will simply leave the Morning Bundle to attend the other class. No refund or proration of fees is offered. When members complete class registrations, they acknowledge that any overlap in classes is their intention.

COVID-19 SICKNESS OR KBIA CLOSURE: In the event of student absences due to COVID-19 or a mandated closure, KBIA initiated quarantine or other exclusion by any governmental agency due to safety concerns with the COVID-19 Pandemic, any tuition or fees paid will NOT be refunded.

For more information, please refer to our COVID-19 Protocols.

KBIA CODE OF CONDUCT 

We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment. We aim to provide a positive learning climate where all members of our community – participants, staff, volunteers, guardians and visitors alike – feel physically and emotionally safe, included and accepted. 

With this commitment, the following Code of Conduct is expected of all of our community members (participants, staff, volunteers, guardians, visitors, etc.) at all times. 

All members of the KBIA community shall:  

  • Respect yourself:  members are expected, per their age, to take appropriate care of themselves (follow Health and Safety policies and procedures, practice self-care and participate to the fullness of their capabilities and comfort levels). 

  • Respect the community: KBIA members enjoy the privilege of being environmental stewards of the natural resource that is Mother’s Beach and the Cove.  All community members shall treat KBIA property and its surrounding area with care and respect. 

  • Respect others:  All members will work together and contribute to the well-being (physical, emotional, mental, environmental, social, etc.) of others to create a positive community.  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are promoted through a positive display of respect of all persons in speech, action and behavior, absent of violence, harassment, racism, intimidation and discrimination of any kind. 

BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE

KBIA is located next to the ocean, and many of our classes are on the water. Safety is of the utmost concern and we expect members of the KBIA community (children, counselors, staff, and parents) to abide by the following principles: care for self, care for others and care for one’s environment. We demonstrate these principles through the qualities of honesty, self-control, and responsibility. A child who exhibits inappropriate behavior will discuss the matter with the instructor, and other students if required, and together make a decision about the appropriate consequence. Instructors help students to understand the boundaries of appropriate behavior and we ask parents to support these efforts by reinforcing them at home. In the case of a serious infraction, or repeated offense, the Executive Director will become involved and contact the parents to set up a meeting. Suspension or even dismissal from the program may be necessary when other solutions are exhausted or when a child’s behavior creates a dangerous environment or causes an undue disruption to KBIA operations. Such decisions are at the discretion of the Executive Director.

PARENT VISITS

KBIA has a beautiful campus, and we encourage you to enjoy the unique surroundings. Tables, chairs, and umbrellas are for your use. However, if you would like to visit your child’s “classroom,” please contact the instructor or Executive Director to set up a convenient day and time. Sometimes parents drop in unannounced to chat with a teacher. While such practice may seem harmless and even friendly, it is often disruptive to the classroom routine. Under no circumstance should a teacher leave a class to have more than a cursory exchange, and under no circumstance should a parent initiate any kind of lengthy, intense, or negative interaction with a teacher, counselor, or counselor-in-training (CIT) who is working with a class. Other than to drop off or pick up a child, please refrain from entering the docks, swimming pool, Adventures Tent, Smith House or classrooms in the Strong Cottage when camp is in session. Private boats are not allowed at any time on  our docks – even if the boats are owned by KBIA members.

EDUCATIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

KBIA is not a special-needs program and is not equipped to provide individualized educational programs for students with severe physical, cognitive, or mental disabilities. KBIA will make reasonable accommodations for known disabilities to assist the child in meeting the behavioral performance standards of the program.

SCHOLARSHIPS: KBIA is a not-for-profit organization, and we’re proud to offer scholarships to children of the Kennebunk area who require financial assistance – ensuring everyone can benefit from and enjoy an inspiring, fun-filled summer. For information, contact Executive Director Mimi Fox at [email protected].

NON-DISCRIMIATION POLICY

KBIA is committed to supporting the goal of equal opportunity and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, status as a veteran, status as a whistleblower, or any other status protected by law in the hiring of counselors or staff or in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, and other KBIA-administered programs.

EMPLOYMENT OF COUNSELORS

KBIA offers employment to young men and women starting at age 15. Typically, these teenagers have been campers at KBIA and have participated in the CIT program during the previous two summers. The CIT curriculum covers topics such as the basics of employment (being accountable, responsible and diligent), customer service, and safety. Any counselor, whether they have matriculated in the CIT program or are direct new hires, are expected to demonstrate these skills. If an issue should arise regarding the performance of an employee under the age of 18, the Assistant Director & Executive Director will attempt to resolve the issue directly with the employee. The KBIA views these incidents as opportunities to learn and develop. Yet should the problem persist, or is a major problem, either the Assistant or Executive Director will reach out to the parents of employees under the age of 18 to enlist their assistance with the matter. If an employee is over the age of 18, parents will not be contacted.