Camp Memorandum of Understanding

SSCYC has been successfully providing a summer camp of safe, age-appropriate and memorable experiences of Christian community for children for over 60 years. We have been pleased to be able to serve generations of families, as well as multiple siblings from the same family. Year after year, parents consistently praise our work. The success of our program is based, in part, on:
•    High standards of care for your children
•    High expectations of ourselves and our staff of volunteers
•    A Christian value system explained to staff, campers, and families
•    Boundaries clearly defined for campers and staff
We look forward to caring for your children with the same concern, interest, and energy as we prepare for this summer. Here are some important points of camp policy.

SSCYC is a community and a family, seeking to understand God together. The well-being of your children, both physically as well as emotionally, continues to be our number one priority. Our camp attempts to teach campers to:
•    Recognize that they have responsibility for themselves and those around them
•    Learn to make choices, which are good for themselves and others, and to take responsibility for the choices (good and bad) they make
•    Respect themselves and others in spite of differences
•    Explore ideas of spirituality in a tolerant and safe context
We recognize that children are exposed to all sorts of media – song lyrics, television programming, movies, books, DVDs, computer games, and the Internet – sources that often do not reflect positive values. Our young people cannot avoid seeing, hearing, and absorbing the negative influences of promiscuity, violence, drugs, and alcohol. What unfortunately may be acceptable in some homes and communities, however, will not be acceptable in our Christian camp community if we are to care for other people’s children with the same concern, interest, and commitment to safety as we have in the past.

To help campers “unplug” from outside media and the pace of electronic life, this year we are asking that campers leave their cell phones at home or turn them in at the beginning of camp. We will return mobile phones after camp. We hope this will help your child(ren) develop face-to-face relationships and lead to more transparent social dynamics. This means that if campers want to take photos, they need to bring a camera. Administrative staff will be taking some photos to preserve memories. Electronic music players are allowed in the cabins (at appropriate times and volumes), but phones may not be used.

Camp Robindel itself does not have a camp-wide “nut-free” policy, although their kitchen is nut-free.  Since we have had great success over the last several years as a “nut-free” camp, we are going to continue to host a nut-free program.  Every year, we have at least one child who has lethal allergies to nuts. Please do not allow your child to bring anything with nuts or nut products, and please do not send any yourself. Nuts and nut products will be confiscated.

We count on you to communicate to your children that we will not accept behaviors such as: bullying (including cyber-bullying and sexting); violence; possession of weapons; repeated profanity; disrespect; bigotry; homophobic comments; inappropriate sexual behavior; drug and alcohol use; hurtful Internet, mobile phone, instant messaging, or blog use, (or any other inappropriate use of electronic devices – before, during, or after camp); or any other unsafe behaviors that are potentially harmful to themselves or others. They must understand that a consequence of unacceptable behavior can mean their removal from our program. Our demonstrated interest is to offer a great experience for every camper. It is important to discuss in detail your expectations for your child(ren) and that we – parents and camp administrators – are in total agreement. A child or children asked to leave camp because of behaviors detailed in this memorandum might not be permitted to return in future summers. There will be no refund of camp tuition if a child(ren) is sent home.

Another area of concern has been our experience with some children sent to camp with “family secrets” not mentioned on the Registration/Medical Form. Specifically, campers were sent
•    with psychiatric problems, including suicide gestures or ideation.
•    with serious medical problems (not shared on the forms).
•    with organic problems who are off medication for the summer.
•    after being hospitalized for physical or emotional reasons since last summer.
•    while experiencing traumatic reaction to family issues, such as parental separation, divorce, illness,
or death.
In fairness to our counselors, staff, and campers, we need to make informed decisions about all of the young people we invite into our community and family. “Family secrets” serve no one. We expect all parents or guardians have provided SSCYC with all the necessary health information, both physical and emotional, so as to better serve each child. All the medical information provided on the Registration/Medical forms is strictly confidential to the Nurse(s), Director, and Assistant Director, unless it is for the safety of the camper. Discretion and privacy are high priorities for us. With these facts in mind, as directors and administrators of SSCYC, we reserve the right to ask that a child at risk to oneself or the community be picked up and removed from camp immediately.