Belonging exists when we create a culture where every person can bring their full, authentic self and feel known and loved, accepted and supported, accommodated for, and connected to a psychologically safe community.
The Why
The Northwest Division created a summer camping pledge in 2025 to ensure that all participants are aligned on behavior, expectations, and shared responsibilities, fostering a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
By committing to a set of guidelines, campers and leaders can cultivate a respectful and inclusive environment, minimizing conflicts and misunderstandings. Clear expectations promote accountability, ensuring that all individuals contribute to the group experience.
This camping pledge creates a foundation of trust and cooperation, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the experience while fostering meaningful connections with both nature and each other. This pledge is an expectation of all camp guests and those serving at camp.
FOR AREAs
We are asking every area/trip to communicate the pledge expectation with those attending camp. This will require proactive verbal and written communication with parents/guardians.
The pledge exisits as a paper form that can be downloaded at the bottom of this website. Areas can choose when to share the pledge (with camp paperwork and/or at parent/guardian meetings). The signed pledge should be collected prior to departure for camp.
Before camp
The pledge will be included in communications from areas and camps as an expectation.
Each assignment team will identify 2-3 members who will be on point to process and then determine steps if the camping pledge is broken by an individual or group.
Camp Directors and their teams will review a provided matrix to determine how to respond to a “broken” pledge.
Camp Managers will share with their respective staff teams.
AT camp
As areas arrive to camp, they will turn in paper pledges to the Head Leader team. They will be stored for the week and returned at the end of camp with the area's electronics.
If an incident occurs that breaks the “Going Together Camping Pledge”, the Camp Director will review the matrix for a response. The Red Notebook will be reviewed as necessary/needed.
If any incidents involve race, gender, or sexuality, the Camp Director will notify the SVP and HR Director via email prior to the resolution of the incident.
There are four places of integration of the pledge within the first 12 hours of camp: Welcome, First Leader Meeting, Dinner and First Cabin Time.
Camping Pledge Links
questions?
Reach out to Marisa Avramovich, Director of HR: mavramovich@sc.younglife.org