CAMPER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS: The possession, purchase, usage, sales, distribution or intent to distribute drugs, drug paraphernalia and/or alcohol is prohibited at camp. In the event of a camper violating these rules, parents will be contacted by the Camp Director/Staff and asked to pick up their camper. An accurate and complete report will be filled out. In addition, the police will be contacted for any incident involving drugs and/or drug paraphernalia.
CAMPER RELEASE POLICY:Campers may only be released to their legal guardians or to someone designated in writing by their legal guardian at the end of the session. The same applies to campers leaving a session early, and prior arrangement for early departure must be made with the director. Camp staff will attempt to contact by phone the parents of any registered camper who does not arrive within two hours of the opening of registration. If there is no answer, all other members for the family, including the emergency number will be tried until the camper’s absence can be verified. The same applies of any camper whose legal guardian does not arrive to pick up their camper within two hours of the designated check-out time. The camper will remain with at least two camp staff until he or she is picked up by their legal guardian or their designee.
Destruction of property: Campers are expected to respect all camp property and camp rules regarding use of Camp buildings and facilities. Any camper who willfully damages, destroys or vandalizes camp property will be held financially responsible for damages. The camp director may contact the local law enforcement agency and a complete and accurate report will be filled out. In addition parents and/or guardians will be contacted and asked to pick up their camper.
FIGHTS: Verbal and physical fights between campers will not be tolerated. Verbal abuse and physical abuse will be immediately taken care of by the supervising staff member. Incidents will be reported at staff meetings and will be included in the meeting minutes. If a physical fight or verbal abuse occurs there will first be an attempt at reconciliation. If a fight escalates into physical violence, or verbal abuse continues, such behavior may result in the involved campers being sent home. (See policy on Sending Home, below.) The Camp Director & staff have the authority to send campers home.
FIREARMS/WEAPONS AND FIREWORKS: These things are strictly prohibited on the camp property. Violation of the rules will result in immediate dismissal.
Inappropriate language: The use of abusive and/or threatening language and general profanity will not be tolerated. When a staff member hears inappropriate language being used by a camper he or she will talk to the camper privately and to notify the camper's counselor of the incident. In the event of a repeated misbehavior the staff member observing the occurrence will take the camper to the director to discuss the situations proper and accurate record of the offense and disciplinary action will be maintained by the camp staff. In the event the camper repeatedly refuses to follow the camp rules, parents will be notified and asked to pick up their camper.
INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR: Sexual behavior between campers is not permitted. The touching or contact of breasts, buttocks or genitals is prohibited. Campers breaking this rule risk being sent home.
Medications: All medications must be kept in the Health Office Dispensary, and must be in their original prescription bottle. This is a state licensing rule. Personal headache, cold, allergy medicine and birth control pills are considered medications. Emergency medications such as inhalers and Epi-pens or bee sting allergy kits may be kept with their owners but must be logged with the Health Office.
OFF LIMITS AREAS: Campers are not allowed in the Staff buildings/lounge without permission of the Camp Director and must be accompanied by two staff members. Campers must attend scheduled activities unless special permission is granted. Campers should be supervised at all times.
SENDING HOME: Before a child is sent home for disciplinary reasons the following procedure will be followed. 1. All campers and staff involved in the incident will be interviewed by the Camp Director. 2. The child will be present for the conversation with the parent when he/she arrives. 3. Arrangements will be made with the parent for the child to be escorted home. 4. The child’s clergy person will be notified. All persons are to be given due process and are to be allowed to give their side of the story to the Camp Director and/or Camp staff.
STEALING: Campers must respect the property of others. Stealing will be dealt with individually and should be reported to the Camp Admin Staff. Campers who steal risk being sent home.
TOBACCO: Campers are never permitted to smoke or to use tobacco products at camp.
COVENANT OF CONDUCT FOR
CAMP CHICAGO/THE DIOCESE OF CHICAGO SUMMER CAMP
In keeping with the gospel and with our own baptismal covenants we are to treat each person, youth or adult, within and outside the group with dignity and respect. Youth have the right to ask about anything related to discipline andconduct. Further, they are expected to participate in the forming of the negotiable parts of this covenant For legal and safety reasons, the adult leaders, after listening to all appropriate information, will have the final say in matters of safety and discipline.
NEGOTIABLE COVENANTS: Rules with respect to boundaries, curfews, and similar matters may be negotiated with the adult leaders in certain circumstances. Negotiated covenants shall apply to all campers participating in Camp Chicago/the Diocese of Chicago Summer Camp.
NON-NEGOTIABLE COVENANTS: The Camp Chicago/Diocese of Chicago Summer Camp shall be free of alcohol and drugs. This applies to youth and adults. Campers who wish to leave the camp area for any reason must notify an adult when doing so. No campers of the opposite sex may sleep in the same room. Inappropriate sexual behavior will not be tolerated.
Appropriate safety procedures are to be followed in all cases for all events and activities, including those types of events which may not be specifically addressed in the preceding paragraphs. Persons traveling in motorized vehicles must wear safety belts at all times.
At events which have swimming as a part of the design, either in a pool or designated swimming area, there shall be sufficient adults with swimming and water safety skills who are designated as lifeguards. The swimming ability of all participants shall be confirmed before access to deep water and diving areas is allowed.
Any and all events which involve boating, canoeing, rafting, or any similar activity on a lake, ocean, river, or other significant body of water requires the use of a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device by each person, youth or adult. This means wearing a lifejacket at all times while in the craft or on the water.
When disagreements arise, it is expected that the parties will:
First:Express the matter of disagreement or hurt.
Second:Give the other person, if he or she requests, a little time and space to think about what has happened.
Third:Try to work things out by talking about what happened then seeking mutual reconciliation.
Fourth:Ask a peer or an adult to listen to BOTH sides of thematter and helpeach person work
toward reconciliation.
I have received and read a copy of this covenant, and I agree to all parts of it. I also agree to accept any and all consequences which the group agrees will accrue for violating any terms of this covenant.
Camper’s signature / date
Parent or Guardian signature /date