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
A summer camping pledge has been created 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 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.
FOR AREAs
We are asking every area/trip to communicate the pledge expectation with those attending camp. This will require both verbal and written communication with parents/guardians.
The pledge can be shared with camp paperwork and/or at parent/guardian meetings and 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. This will be in coordination with Wellness Check discernment teams.
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
At check-in, areas/trips will turn in paper pledges to the Head Leader team.
If an incident occurs that breaks the “Going Together Camping Pledge”, the team will review the matrix for a response. The Red Notebook should 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