We are experts in camping with a 70-year history of balancing the needs of individual campers and the needs of our collective Camp community during the summer. Each year, we successfully serve a diverse group of campers by closely partnering with parents and caregivers to best position our resources to support individual needs on a range of issues while balancing the needs of the whole community.
Regardless of your child’s circumstances, all campers must be able to live by the Camper Code of Conduct which includes respectfully living with others and following counselor directions.
Community
Living in a community is a great opportunity for our campers to grow their interpersonal skills, leadership, independence and confidence. Maintaining a safe and healthy environment is crucial for this growth. Our staff are trained to recognize harmful behavior, are attentive to campers' needs and respond appropriately. Monitoring and responding to inappropriate behavior is a part of everyone at Camp Kanata's job. This includes interactions between staff with campers, as well as camper-to-camper interactions.
We are committed to building a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone where we treat one another with respect and dignity. At the beginning of each session, the Code of Conduct is reviewed and discussed in each cabin and each camper signs the form as they commit to doing what is right during their time at Camp.
Behavior
At Camp, we believe that when campers do not follow the rules or demonstrate appropriate behavior, we have the opportunity to help them learn and grow. Our staff promotes behavior guidance by creating a positive environment, developing structure and clear limits, promoting social and emotional learning, reinforcing our core values and addressing challenging behaviors.
Staff will redirect or problem-solve with the camper. When problems do arise, the Camp staff may consult the parents/guardians so that together, they can develop a plan for behavior management and success for the camper.
There are times when dismissal from Camp is necessary. Campers whose behavior does not abide by the code of conduct, require a disproportionate amount of a staff member's attention or need constant one-on-one support and therefore detract from the attention given to others in the cabin, may be asked to leave. Other behaviors directly linked to the health, safety or well-being of your child or others may also be grounds for dismissal.
Code of Conduct
At Camp Kanata, we do what is right. We treat others the way that we would like to be treated and we work hard to make everyone feel welcome and safe. At Camp, we live by our core values by caring for others, speaking honestly, showing respect, being responsible, practicing faith and valuing family.
Code of Conduct Camper Pledge
Ages 11 and older
At Camp, I realize that I will be challenged to set high goals, build new skills and make lasting friendships. I will be a person of integrity at Camp – upholding our standards of treating others with dignity, respect and compassion, and presenting a positive image of Camp, my cabin and myself. I will not commit unsafe acts or engage in language that demeans or influences others to act in a manner that is unsafe or unkind. I understand that violating the promises in this Code of Conduct may result in my being dismissed from the Camp community.
- I will live honestly and be truthful with my cabinmates, my counselors and all Camp staff.
- I understand that stealing and vandalizing property will not be tolerated.
- I understand that the use of language or behavior that is sexual in nature will not be tolerated.
- I understand language or behavior that diminishes others on the basis of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religion is prohibited and will not be tolerated.
- I understand that the possession, use, and discussion of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, fireworks or firearms is not tolerated at Camp, unless I am discretely looking for guidance from my counselors or someone on the Camp staff.
- I understand that “pranks” are not a part of and have no place at Camp.
- I understand that I must follow and help others to follow all the safety rules. This includes being where I am supposed to be when I am supposed to be there.
- I will respect the privacy of my cabinmates and counselors.
- I will not bully or exclude my fellow campers, and I will report if I am witness to this behavior.
- I understand that fighting is never acceptable, no matter what.
- I understand that if I am present while a rule is being broken and I do not walk away, I am essentially breaking that rule myself.