Our behavior expectations for campers can be summarized simply: safety and respect. The priority at Camp Koinonia is to provide a safe program for participants and staff. Any behavior that threatens the safety of self or others is not acceptable. Camp Koinonia respects the rights and dignity of all people, and we expect our campers to do the same while they are here at camp. Any behavior that is disrespectful to others is not acceptable.

The following are Camp Koinonia’s behavior expectations for campers during day camp. Please read through this Code of Conduct with your child before camp starts.

While at Camp Koinonia Day Camp, I agree to:

• Be considerate and respectful of others’ feelings and needs

• Think in advance about how my words and actions affect others

• Assure my own and others’ safety

• Resolve differences in a respectful manner

• Protect the natural environment

• Commit to try

It is important to us to provide a safe, quality experience for all our campers. With that in mind, it’s important to be transparent about the level of support we’re able to provide. While there are many factors that help determine a child’s success at camp, these are the minimum requirements a child must be able to meet (with some assistance, guidance, and reminders when needed.)

In order to participate in our camp program, your child must be able to:

• Meet their own personal care needs (toileting, dressing, and feeding)

• Self-regulate or maintain emotional regulation most of the time

• Maintain safety of their own body and others

• Follow camp rules essential for safety

• Interact respectfully with peers

Due to the nature of camp and the experience/training of our staff, we cannot support campers who need significant assistance with personal needs, continuous one-on-one attention, or who are unable to maintain safety of self and others.

We can provide a wide range of supports for campers, depending on needs. We can offer sensory breaks and quiet areas to regulate; and autonomy to self-select out of certain activities or do an alternate activity. Exceptions might be able to be made if the camper comes with their own one-on-one support. Let us know, through the Camper Support Form, or by contacting us, what accommodations would improve your child’s camp experience.

It’s important to note we don’t have the resources schools provide. We’re happy to support your camper if they bring a 1:1, but we cannot provide a 1:1 from our staff and volunteers.

Identifying Rude, Mean, and Bullying Behaviors

It is important to have a shared language and understand the difference between these behaviors so that when we address it with children, we are clear about how the behavior was wrong and what we can do to resolve it.

Rude = Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else (such as cutting in line)

Mean = Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone (such as calling someone names)

Bullying = Intentionally aggressive acts or threats of behavior, repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power (all three elements are required to constitute bullying)

Bullying may be physical, verbal, relational, or carried out via technology. Physical aggression includes hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping, hair-pulling, etc. Verbal aggression includes using abusive and/or hurtful words to intimidate and/or denigrate. Relational aggression includes social exclusion, shunning, hazing, intentional embarrassment, and rumor spreading.

Camp Koinonia does not have a “zero tolerance” policy for bullying.

While many of us have been told that zero-tolerance policies are the best way to prevent bullying, more and more youth-serving organizations are finding that isn’t the case.

Instead of “zero tolerance,” we take a restorative approach to conflict. When a camper causes harm with their words or actions, our goal is to help the camper identify how they can “make it right.” This can happen through mediated conversations, apologies, and actions to help rebuild trust with the person or group they harmed.

However, if a camper is continually and repeatedly choosing to cause harm or is unwilling to make it right, we may be unable to accommodate them in our camp community.

We do not have defined suspension or expulsion criteria in order to be able to navigate the nuance of each situation with best judgment. With that in mind, here are some behaviors that are likely to result in suspension or expulsion from day camp:

•Violence and threats of violence

•Possession or use of a weapon

•Possession or use of drugs or alcohol, including nicotine products (vaping)

Any camper sent home for behavior reasons is ineligible for a refund.

We encourage you to reach out to us with any questions or to schedule a conversation with the program director in preparation for your child’s camp experience. Contact us at (509)656-6342 or by email at program@campkoinonia.org