S.T.O.R.M. POLICY

Bullying is any intentional hurtful act committed by one or more persons against another. The main types of bullying include physical (punching, hitting, shoving), verbal (name calling, hurtful teasing, taunting) and relational (exclusion, humiliation, blackmailing). No form of bullying will be tolerated at Camp Deer Run.

Bullying is generally a pattern of behavior rather than a single event. Staff are trained to be aware of these behaviors and to intervene immediately. If bullying continues after intervention, parents will be notified and appropriate measures will be taken to rectify the issue.

Campers and Staff must abide by boundaries in touch, talk and territory - that is, their physical interactions, their verbal interactions and where they go.

Touch

There are appropriate and inappropriate physical interactions among campers and Staff. For the safety of all, campers will be instructed on what types of physical interaction are appropriate and inappropriate at Camp. All Staff have been trained on these guidelines.

Some examples of appropriate touch are high fives, quick side hugs or putting arms around shoulders. Examples of inappropriate touch include sitting in laps, hand holding, kissing and of course, any touching in areas that would be covered by a bathing suit, etc.

Talk

Campers and Staff will refrain from speaking with vulgar language, hateful speech, racial epithets, curse words, by-words and any type of sexual references. Instead, campers and 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.”

Territory

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 Staff-only living quarters for any reason. Staff will not allow or invite campers into Staff-only living areas.

Maintaining touch, talk and territory boundaries is a vital part of keeping our campers and Staff members safe.

Staff are trained to be alert at all times for common sense safety risks. Campers can sometimes get carried away horseplaying or creating silly games that are not always safe, like swordfighting with sticks or swinging each other around in hammocks. Staff are always looking for obvious safety risks such as these and are trained to intervene.

To avoid one-on-one situations, we use the Rule of Three. Simply put, there should be three people together, not two and not one. Campers generally do not need to go alone, and they don’t need to go in pairs. It is always safest for campers and Staff to be in groups of at least three. Of course, in supervised situations, campers may go alone to the restroom or to do other quick, simple tasks.

One-on-Ones

It is not appropriate for a Staff member to be completely alone with any camper for any reason. Staff members are trained to recognize and avoid these moments by moving into the open where they are in plain sight of other campers and Staff. If there is a need for one-on-one counseling, it must happen out in the open (in plain sight), not inside or behind a building. This is for the protection of both the campers and Staff. 

Dress Code

We all have to get dressed, and we want to dress in a way that mirrors God’s design and not that of the outside world. With that in mind, please bring clothes that are suitable to run and play in the woods and that “glorify God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

The following guidelines apply to campers and Staff:

Tight or form-fitting attire should not be worn.

Shorts are allowed, but must have at least a 5 inch inseam.

Loose fitting T-shirts are ideal.

Sleeveless shirts that are neatly and closely cut under the arm are permitted.

Tank tops are not permitted.

Shoes must be worn at all times.

Flip Flops and sandals are permitted only to the pool and bathhouse.

Crocs and other slip-ons can be worn but are not allowed during active camp activities.

Logos or designs on attire may not include vulgar language or promote alcohol, tobacco, drugs or anything else that does not uphold the values of the Camp.

Changing and Nudity

During changing times, everyone’s privacy will be respected, and no one should call attention to themselves or others while naked or changing. Campers may change discreetly in the cabin, or they may go to the bathhouse to change if they are more comfortable with that option. Regardless, campers will never be made to feel uncomfortable about where or how they change clothes. When changing clothes in the cabin, Staff will always change discreetly and with an effort not to be exposed to the campers. Staff will also immediately redirect campers who may try to be silly or playful while they or others are changing clothes.

There are no acceptable activities that occur in the nude at Camp Deer Run. Sometimes young people may find it funny to do certain activities naked, like swimming, but this is never acceptable at Camp Deer Run. Staff are instructed to avoid and immediately intervene in any kind of nude activities.

There are no nude activities at Camp Deer Run.