Camper Code of Conduct
Being a camper at Camp Alonim is a communal living experience. The success of this community depends on the cooperation and involvement of all participants. Every effort is made to establish a positive atmosphere and to inspire constructive behavior among both campers and staff. We encourage our campers and staff to respect themselves and others, our camp and equipment, and our earth and environment. Alonim staff are trained in a variety of strategies to support campers when they are exhibiting challenging behaviors at camp. Please make sure to give as much information as possible in the health history and mental, emotional, and social health forms (forms to be completed ahead of your child’s arrival) about your child’s behaviors and include any strategies that could support them in having a successful summer. Camp Alonim is committed to providing a safe camp environment in which relationships are characterized by dignity, respect, and equitable treatment.
- We are here to be the best versions of ourselves. Camp Alonim is a supportive, open-minded, kind, understanding community celebrating diversity and respect for all.
- Campers must abide by the Community Expectations document they and their parents sign before attending camp each summer.
- We are a community of active leaders. We lift each other up, question respectfully, value differing opinions, and always support each other.
- We do not accept bullying, harassment, bigotry, and/or any behavior that puts the health, safety, and well-being of any community member at risk. We do not rank, objectify, or demean others.
- We respect all community members’ race, ethnicity, national origin, ability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religious practice and how they choose to express their identity. Alonim is a place where everyone should feel comfortable without fear of prejudice or any misrepresentation.
- We believe that gossip is harmful and detrimental to the creation of a community and to individuals.
- We encourage a culture of “speaking out” when someone is being treated in a way that goes against the values of the Alonim Community. We encourage all campers and staff to stand up for what is right, and support all campers, especially those who are feeling left out, or being treated unfairly by others, by letting a counselor or other staff member know what is going on. We believe this will allow campers to be upstanding community members.
CAMP ALONIM RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CONTINUALLY UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT, MAKE DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THIS DOCUMENT, AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS TO CHECK AND REVIEW TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE.
Camp Alonim strives to help children learn from their experience and grow as responsible, independent children and young adults. In situations where campers do not follow program rules or uphold the values of Camp Alonim, consequences may result. Consequences may include dismissal from Camp Alonim and are guided by organization-wide guidelines to ensure consistency and fairness. Disciplinary consequences may vary based on circumstances.
The following is a guideline. Final action is at the sole discretion of Camp Alonim professional staff.
Engaging in any of the following behaviors during an Alonim camp session or program will typically result in severe disciplinary consequences that may include immediate dismissal from the Camp Alonim program/session and/or future Alonim activities:
- Conduct that endangers the safety, health, or welfare of a camper and/or others,
- Conduct or threats of conduct that are violent,
- Possession of firearms, fireworks, knives, or other items considered to be weapons and/or anything potentially harmful to others,
- “Non-consensual sexual activity”2.
- Theft or causing intentional damage to camp’s or anyone else’s property,
- Bullying, hazing, and other actions taken with the intent of harming others,
- Consumption or possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, “vaping” products or materials, drug or alcohol paraphernalia, or any other substance abuse,
- Being in a sleeping area(s) that you are not assigned to,
- “Sexual activity,”1
- “non-consensual intimate contact,”2
- Sharing of prescription/over-the-counter medication,
- Leaving Camp Alonim premises,
- Tattooing or piercing oneself or others or receiving tattoos or piercings, or other forms of self-modification.
Engaging in any of the following behaviors during a Camp Alonim session or program will typically result in CONSEQUENCES COMMENSURATE with the situation:
- Being in places campers are not supposed to be at times they are not permitted to be there,
- Use of vulgar language and/or inappropriate gestures,
- Inability to follow Camp Alonim program rules including tardiness/absence from scheduled activities without prior approval from staff, not treating others with respect, not wearing proper attire, not refraining from physical behaviors, etc.
- Pressuring or intimidating others,
- Carrying or displaying toy weapons,
- Not sleeping in your assigned bed,
- Accidental or intentional sending or sharing of offensive or sexually explicit material,
- Inappropriate use of social media, messaging, or other technologies including (but not limited to) media that slanders or bullies other campers, staff, volunteers, speakers/guests.
If a camper is dismissed from a Camp Alonim session or program due to failure to comply with the above Code of Conduct and/or the Community Expectations signed prior to camp each summer, a parent or guardian or family member MUST come pick up their camper from Camp Alonim when instructed by Camp Alonim staff. No refunds will be issued for dismissal due to behavior violations.
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS:
- Camp Alonim defines “Sexual Activity” as any groping, exposure, or other intimate and/or sexual acts.
- Camp Alonim defines “Non-consensual Sexual Activity and/or Intimate Contact” as any touching, kissing, hugging, other forcible contact, groping, exposure, or other intimate and/or sexual acts that are forced, without someone’s consent
For Camp Alonim’s policy regarding Relationships, Intimacy, Privacy, and Consent click here.