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Environmental Protection Agency

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1. What is storm water runoff?

Storm water runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and streets prevent storm water from naturally soaking into the ground.

2. Why is storm water runoff a problem?

Storm water can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, river or wetland. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is untreated and discharged into the water bodies we use for swimming, fishing and providing drinking water.

3. What are the effects of storm water pollution?

Polluted storm water runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals, and people.

• Sediment can cloud water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic plants to grow. Sediment can also destroy aquatic habitats.

• Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms. When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose, in a process that removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can’t exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.

• Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.

• Debris - plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed into water bodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like ducks, fish, turtles, and birds.

• Household hazardous wastes like insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become sick or die from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted water.

• Polluted storm water often affects drinking water sources. This in turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment costs. 


4. How can we prevent storm water pollution?

Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, and solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm sewers.

5. How do fertilizers and pesticides affect storm water pollution?

Excess fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.

• Don’t over water your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.

• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals, in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
• Compost or mulch yard waste. Don’t leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.

• Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

6. What should I do when maintaining my vehicle to prevent pollution?

Washing your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials directly into a water body.

• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.

• Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

7. How should I maintain my septic system to prevent storm water pollution?

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by storm water and discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens can cause public health problems and environmental concerns.

• Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).
• Don’t dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

8. Can pet waste contribute to storm water pollution?

Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.

When walking your pet remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.

9. What residential landscaping changes can I make to prevent pollution caused by storm water runoff?

Changes and improvements to residential landscaping can prevent pollution caused by storm water runoff.

• Traditional concrete and asphalt don’t allow water to soak into the ground. Instead these surfaces rely on storm drains to divert unwanted water. Permeable pavement systems allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing storm water runoff.
• Use rain barrels. You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later for lawn or garden areas.

• Design rain gardens and grassy swales. Specially designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftops or paved surfaces can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.

• Utilize vegetated filter strips. Filter strips are areas of native grasses or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap pollutants the storm water picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

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Parks & Recreation - Summer Camps

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1. When will I receive information about summer camp?

Camp information will be mailed in the Winter issue of the Vernon Township Newsletter in November. Only residents of Vernon Township will receive the newsletter.

2. How do I know if I am a resident?

Vernon Township services are available to residents in all or portions of the villages of Buffalo Grove (north of Lake Cook Road), Indian Creek, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mettawa, Riverwoods and Vernon Hills (south of Route 60); the city of Lake Forest, and Mundelein and unincorporated Prairie View.

3. What if I don't receive a newsletter?

You can view the newsletter online. You can come into the Vernon Township offices at 3050 North Main Street in Buffalo Grove to pick up a copy. This newsletter is mailed at a bulk rate, and we will not mail it to individuals. You can also print the 2019 Summer Programs information (PDF) at home.

4. What are the age groups?

Camp is for children ages 4 to 7 years old. Our cut off date for the 4 to 7 year old camp is September 1st. (Example, a child turning 5 on August 20 will participate in the 5-year-old camp. A child turning 5 after September 1, will be in the 4-year-old camp.)

If you would like your child to participate in an age group appropriate to his school year (for children held back one year in school), a note from your school district is required stating the grade your child will be enrolled in the fall of 2019.

5. When does camp meet?

Camp is June 17 to August 2, 2019. Camp is in session Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

6. Do the children swim?

Our campers will swim every day with a swim lesson at least once a week.

7. What else do the children do?

Children participate in traditional camp activities - arts and crafts, singing, games, etc. We spend a majority of the camp day outside.

8. What if it is raining outside?

We do plan for rain days. The facilities on the property allow us to use the locker rooms and youth rooms for dry, inside areas. We try to follow the camp schedule as close as possible - minus the outside activities. We will complete art projects, play a number of inside games and sing camp songs. If the weather is still not cooperating by the end of the day, we may watch a movie.

9. What about the very hot days?

On very hot days, we extend swimming times for all age groups. Also, we have several shaded picnic pavilions for low effort activities (arts and crafts, small group time, etc.) and an air-conditioned youth room.

10. How many children are in your camp?

Our maximum for each age group is as follows:

• 4 year olds - 35
• 5, 6, and 7 year olds - 40

11. What is the ratio of campers to counselors?

The ratio of campers to counselors is as follows:

• 4 year olds - 7:1
• 5, 6, and 7 year olds - 8:1
• Swim lessons (all ages) - 5:1

12. Who are your camp counselors?

A majority of the counselors are college and high school students. We require that our counselors be at least 16 years old.

13. What supervision do the counselors have?

Day-to-day activities are supervised by camp supervisors, and the aquatics supervisor.

14. Where is the camp?

The park is located at 16652 Buffalo Grove Road. Our pool is also located at that site.

15. Are there field trips?

In lieu of an all camp, off-site field trip, all campers will participate in the “Camp Carnival”. The 7 year olds may attend an off-site field trip.

16. How much is camp?

The resident rate for the 2019 camp is $875. Non-resident rates are 50% higher.

17. How do I register?

Do not mail your registration form to the township office!

Returning campers will have a priority registration in December and early January. Siblings of returning campers are not guaranteed acceptance into camp. If necessary, there will be a sibling lottery on January 8, 2019. 

Residents with new campers will be entered into a lottery. Parents of applicants will not be present for the lottery. The drawing will be held by township staff on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

All resident applications can be dropped off between December 3, 2018 and January 8, 2019. On Friday, January 11, 2019 non-residents will be allowed to register.

If residents fail to drop off their registration forms between December 3, 2018 and January 8, 2019, the applications will be placed with the non-residents on a first come, first serve basis beginning January 11, 2019. The township will not accept any applications on January 9, 2019 and January 10, 2019.

18. My child is a returning camper from 2018, are they guaranteed a spot in the 2019 camp?

Yes, as long as the registration form is received between December 3, 2018 and January 8, 2019, and you are a Township Resident. Any returning campers not registered at this time will be considered a "new camper" - no exceptions.

Returning Non-Residents are not guaranteed a spot in the 2019 Camp and must register on the Open Registration date of January 11, 2019.

19. Is there an advantage to registering early?

No. Applications received on December 3, 2018 have the same chance of getting into camp as applications received on January 8, 2019. Remember residents, if you do not turn in your registration forms between these dates, you will not be entered into the lottery - no exceptions!

20. What will I need for registration?

To register for the 2019 summer camp, you will need the following:

• Proof of your child's age (birth certificate)
• Proof of residency (Drivers License or State ID. We will not accept leases, mail, utility bills or any other documents to prove residency)
• Check for deposit - no cash will be accepted

21. What if I don't have those things on the day I want to register?

The Township will not accept your application if you do not have the required documents.

22. How does the lottery work?

On the day of the lottery, a number will be assigned to each application. That number will also be placed into a hat. Numbers will be drawn at random.

If your number is chosen and a position in camp is available, you will be given that position, and your deposit will be cashed. If no positions are available, your application will be placed on the waiting list and your deposit check will be returned to you.

23. What if I have more than one child?

Each child's application will receive its own number, except for multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) will each receive the same number.

24. What are the chances of someone getting in on the lottery?

Unfortunately, we do not have the answer to that question. It will depend on the number of returning campers registering for the 2018 camp.

25. What happens if I am on the waiting list?

No deposit will be required for the waiting list, but proof of age and residency will still be required. If a camper drops out, the first person on the waiting list will be contacted. We will progress down the waiting list until that camp position is filled.

26. Do you allow friendship requests?

Yes, however, only one friend can be requested and that friendship request must be reciprocal. If more than one friend is listed, you will not get either friendship request. Siblings in the same age group must request each other as their friendship request to guarantee a spot in the same camp group.

27. Are the groups co-ed?

Yes, we try to have an even number of boys and girls in each group.

28. What if we want a special counselor?

We do not honor requests for counselors. Also, we do not honor gender requests for counselors.