Code of Conduct

ALL CAMPERS, CITs, STAFF, AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS ARE REQUIRED TO READ THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

We look forward to a great camp week. To coexist within the camp environment, it is necessary to recognize and follow certain behaviors and conduct that must be established and agreed upon for the benefit of all. In the end, each of us is responsible for our own behavior, but to ensure a fair and fulfilling experience for all participants, the following are to be accepted and agreed to:

AS PART OF THE CAMP COMMUNITY…

I WILL:

• Recognize that the Camp Family is first and foremost a Christian community.  I commit to treating all campers, CITs, and Staff with the utmost respect, just as I want to be treated.
• Leave my mobile phone and any devices that connect to the internet at home.  Staff and CITs may have phones but should not use them in the presence of campers or allow campers to use them.  Administrators will have phones campers can use to call home.
• Do my part in keeping the camp facility free of litter.  If I see trash, I will pick it up and put it where it belongs.
• Help maintain the cleanliness of my cabin and surrounding area by picking up after myself, hanging my towels and bathing suit to dry, throwing trash away, and properly organizing my belongings.
• Follow the daily schedule, be on time, and participate in all activities with enthusiasm and good sportsmanship.
• Dress properly and modestly for all activities, and maintain good hygiene by regularly showering, brushing my teeth, and changing my clothes.
• Always wear shoes and appropriate clothing (no bathing suits) in the dining hall and at all meals.
• Respect the personal property of others.  If it does not belong to me, I will leave it alone.
• Be a positive role model for my peers and campers through my words and actions.
• Talk to my counselor, head counselor or Camp Director if I feel unsafe or unhappy.
• Make the most of my camp week by making friends, creating great memories, and enjoying the camp experience!

AS PART OF THE CAMP COMMUNITY…

I WILL NOT:

• Initiate, participate in, or tolerate fighting, taunting, hazing, bullying, sexual misconduct, or hate speech against any camper, CIT, or Staff.
• Deliberately hurt anybody’s feelings, which may include pulling pranks on others that would cause someone to feel offended or unsafe.
• Steal, vandalize, graffiti, misuse, or abuse someone’s property or the camp facility, and understand that I, and my family, may be held financially liable for the repair or replacement.
• Initiate or engage in romantic relationships while at camp. I understand camp is committed to creating a safe space for all participants, and any activities of a sexual nature are not permitted.
• Use inappropriate, foul, abusive or hateful language, including words of a sexually explicit or violent nature or any offensive or discriminatory remarks.  This includes racial slurs, sexist comments, off-color jokes, sexual innuendoes, and aggressive or derogatory language.
• Bring any items containing nuts to camp.  Camp is a “nut-free” program.  All items containing nuts will be confiscated and removed from Camp.
• Be in my cabin unattended or be in a cabin that is not mine.
• Leave my cabin between “lights out” and “wake-up”.  Runners may leave their cabin at 7:00AM with the permission of their cabin staff and are required to check-in with the Health Center.
• Blast music from my cabin or porch.
• Go swimming, boating or enter the water except for dedicated times when lifeguards are present.
• Bring music players and/or headphones to planned programs or meals.
• Leave valuables out in the open.
• Be in possession of, or consume, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, illegal drugs, or paraphernalia of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, vaporizers, etc. I understand that having any of these items with me during camp is cause for immediate dismissal due to the camp’s zero tolerance policy on smoking, drugs and alcohol.
• Gamble for money or any tokens that could be traded for money.
• Bring Energy Drinks (Red Bull, etc.) to camp.
• Possess weapons of any kind, fireworks or inappropriate audio/video recordings at camp.

I understand that if I am having trouble following this Code of Conduct, the following could happen:

• I may have a meeting with my counselor, head counselor, or camp director.
• The camp leadership may call my parents to discuss my behavior.
• I may receive a suitable consequence as determined by the camp leadership.
• If my behavior hurts myself or others, I may have to go home early.
• Certain circumstances could result in being banned from the following year’s camp program.

Behaviors not aligned with the conduct above will be evaluated on an individual basis and dealt with quickly.  Consequences and discipline are designed thoughtfully to allow for self-awareness and learning.  Any serious misconduct, such as a violation involving weapons, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, sexual misconduct, or hate speech will result in the affected participant(s) being required to leave the camp. The family of the participant(s) will be expected to promptly come and remove participant(s) from camp. There are no refunds for campers who are asked to leave camp for disciplinary reasons. Depending on the nature of the violation, the camp may be required to contact the local authorities.

Camp Directors and Administrators reserve the right to search a camper’s luggage and personal belongings in his/her presence if items are lost, borrowed, stolen, or for health and safety reasons during the camp week.

Campers will review this Code of Conduct with their cabin staff upon arrival at camp and will be asked to sign that they understand the Code of Conduct and the associated consequences.

Campers will be provided with an opportunity to anonymously turn in any prohibited items during the first afternoon of camp with no consequences.  There could be exceptions to this if we must get local law enforcement involved in the items that are turned in.

I have reviewed the Code of Conduct with my camper and acknowledge the consequences.