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At Camp Deer Run, camper safety is our utmost priority. We know that the trust parents place in us is never to be taken lightly, and we believe that our duty to protect the children entrusted to our care is sacred. As such, Camp Deer Run takes extensive measures to ensure that all of our campers can have fun, make friends, and experience God in a safe and secure Christian environment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4964″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_color_pre=”bg-color-accent-3″ css=”.vc_custom_1619633805803{background-color: #59abbe !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion style=”modern” active_section=”x” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Staff” tab_id=”1619632789154-9325086e-4e93″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1619635502007{padding-right: 75px !important;padding-left: 75px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][icon_box title=”Hiring” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-copy”][vc_column_text]All prospective staff members must submit a comprehensive application which is reviewed by the Camp Director, Program Director, and Head Women’s Counselor.
The application includes in-depth questions regarding each applicant’s faith journey, social involvement, spiritual growth, and moral beliefs. All prospective staff members then undergo a personal interview with the camp director. Camp Deer Run maintains an extremely high standard for staff hiring.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”References and Background Checks” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-address-card”][vc_column_text]All prospective staff members must submit two references and undergo a full background check in order to be hired by Camp Deer Run. References must include a minister from each applicant’s home church.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Staff Contract” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-pen-fancy”][vc_column_text]Each staff member signs a contract agreeing to abide by Camp Deer Run’s staff conduct policies for the duration of their employment with Camp Deer Run. Any violation of this contract is grounds for dismissal.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Staff Supervision” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-eye”][vc_column_text]There are several levels of supervision within the Camp Deer Run summer staff.
All staff members regardless of position are expected to hold each other accountable for upholding the staff conduct contract and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Beyond this basic accountability, all staff are supervised in groups of 10 to 20 by a group leader, a veteran staff member who is a part of the program team.
Group leaders and staff are supervised by the Program Director and Head Women’s Counselor.
The Program Director and Head Women’s Counselor report to the Camp Director.
At each level of supervision, staff are trained on what should be reported, to whom, how, and when.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Training” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-graduation-cap”][vc_column_text]All staff must complete a third-party training course on child safety, recognizing abuse, and recognizing characteristics of child abusers. No staff will be allowed to interact with children in any way without successfully completing this training.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Reporting” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”far fa-comment”][vc_column_text]All staff are trained to report any behavior that raises concerns about child safety. Our staff training over abuse and mental health reporting was developed with input and feedback from child psychologists and heath care professionals.
Some examples of situations that staff are trained to report are:
Anonymous reporting is available to both campers and staff at all times via a locked comment box centrally located in the Camp. The comment box will be checked daily.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”The Rule of Three” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-users”][vc_column_text]Staff are trained never to be alone with a camper. No staff member should ever be one-on-one with a camper of any age for any reason. Staff are trained to avoid one-on-one situations with what we call “the rule of three.” In isolated situations, there must always be at least three people together at all times – eliminating the possibility of one-on-one situations.
The exception to the rule of three is if a staff member and a camper are having a conversation, studying together, or praying together in public view. Any such conversations must be done in a public place and in the view of others.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Campers” tab_id=”1619632789197-deb79faf-2c3a”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1619635472402{padding-right: 75px !important;padding-left: 75px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][icon_box title=”Camper Supervision” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-child”][vc_column_text]Campers will be under constant supervision of the Camp Deer Run staff. The camper to staff ratio at Camp Deer Run is generally at most 4:1. No camper should be unsupervised at any time.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”After Night Devo and Lights Out” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-moon”][vc_column_text]There is to be a staff member in the cabin at all times after Night Devo. Counselors and co-counselors should take turns going to and from the bathhouse so that there is always someone in the cabin with the campers.
After Night Devo, staff should be in the bathhouse or in their cabin.
After the Lights Out whistle, all campers and staff are to be in their cabins with the lights out.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Camper Behavior” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-user-friends”][vc_column_text]Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment where campers can experience God, make lasting friendships, and build a foundation for a lifetime of faith. Every camper’s experience is important, and no behavior will be tolerated that would compromise that experience for any camper. Any camper behaviors that are harmful to other campers or staff or that become disruptive to other campers’ safe and fun experience at Camp Deer Run will be reported up the supervisory chain immediately.
Some examples include:
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[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Defiant or Abusive Behavior” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-exclamation-triangle”][vc_column_text]Defiant or abusive behavior should be reported as soon as it becomes apparent. This includes abusive behavior towards oneself (drugs, self-harm, etc.) or towards others (physical violence, bullying, racial discrimination, etc.). If a behavior is noticed and corrected by a staff member, and a camper defiantly continues, it will become grounds for dismissal.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Sexual Misconduct” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-times-circle”][vc_column_text]Sexual misconduct or abuse of any kind will not be tolerated at Camp Deer Run. Any sexual misconduct should be reported to the Camp Director immediately. Sexual misconduct or abuse will be grounds for dismissal. Any abusive sexual behavior will be reported to the parents of all involved campers as well as to all appropriate authorities.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Camper Relationships” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-hand-holding-heart”][vc_column_text]Sexual behavior of any kind is prohibited at Camp Deer Run. Camper relationships are not encouraged. Staff to camper relationships are strictly prohibited. Any apparent camper relationships will be closely monitored by staff at all times. Campers of the opposite sex should never be alone together for any reason.
The following behaviors are not acceptable:
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”General Guiding Principles” tab_id=”1619633919888-121db957-bc0b”][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1619635585965{padding-right: 75px !important;padding-left: 75px !important;}”][vc_column_inner][icon_box title=”Modesty” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-tshirt”][vc_column_text]Dress guidelines exist to create a safe and distraction-free environment where campers can focus on having fun, building friendships, and experiencing God.
The following guidelines pertaining to clothing apply to campers and staff:
There are no acceptable activities that occur in the nude at CDR. Staff need to be ready to direct campers away from any activity that involves nudity. There are no acceptable activities that involve nudity.
There will be NO tolerance for Staff who cannot abide by the following expectations. These guidelines are in place to protect the campers, the staff, and Camp Deer Run.
[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Do Not Bring” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-smoking-ban”][vc_column_text]Campers are asked not to bring anything to camp that could hurt them or others, could disrupt the camp experience, or could cause safety hazards.
Campers should not bring any of the following to Camp:
[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Phones and Technology” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-mobile-alt”][vc_column_text]Campers and staff are not allowed to have cell phones, computers, tablets, e-readers or other types of technology at Camp Deer Run during a session. Campers will be asked to turn in their cell phones to their counselors at the beginning of each session. Camper cell phones will be kept in the camp office during the session.
Campers are not allowed to use camp phones during a session. Staff should never take a camper to use any phone without permission from the Camp Director, Program Director or Head Women’s Counselor.
If a phone is found, it should be taken to the Program Director or Head Women’s Counselor to be held in the office until the end of the session.[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Physical Interaction” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-handshake”][vc_column_text]
APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL INTERACTION | INAPPROPRIATE PHYSICAL INTERACTION |
Quick, Simple Side Hug | Hand Holding |
High Five | Sitting in Laps |
Fist Bump | Kissing |
Pats on the shoulder or back | Scratching Backs or Massages |
Handshakes | Tickling |
Arms around shoulders (same gender) | Slapping Bottoms |
Touching hands, shoulders, and arms | “Appropriate” types of physical affection but in isolated areas |
[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Verbal Interaction” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-comments”][vc_column_text]Campers and Staff will refrain from speaking with vulgar language, curse words, by- words, and any type of sexual references. Instead Staff should speak with positive words of encouragement that build others up. As Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…”[/vc_column_text][icon_box title=”Territory Guidelines” text=”” style=”centered-circle” color=”accent” icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-home”][vc_column_text]The living areas of the campground are separated into a boys’ side of camp and a girls’ side of camp. It is not appropriate for Staff or campers to be on the opposite gender’s side of camp. If there is a legitimate need for going across camp, it is necessary to be accompanied by a Staff member of that gender.
It is not appropriate for campers to visit the living quarters of any Staff. Counselors must not allow campers to visit staff-only living quarters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]