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Camp Behavior
Prep Email 5 of 6
Click here to read Prep #1: Health and Saftey
Click here to read Prep #2:  Communication
Click here to read Prep #3: Transportation
Click here to read Prep #4: Camp Food
Dear Parents,
While we all wish our kids could grow up in a world without bullying, it is an issue that all of us in the camping profession must be prepared to confront.

At CYJ, we strive to create an environment in which bullying is not acceptable. One way we ensure good behavior is to have each bunk create a "contract" and post it inside their bunk. When asked what the first rule should be, "no bullying" often comes up. Establishing an expectation that this kind of behavior is not acceptable, lays the groundwork for future conversations on the subject.

Also, during our orientation, we spend time in workshops and seminars teaching the staff how to recognize signs of bullying.  We focus on the following steps:
  • Laying the groundwork for an experience where bullying is unacceptable by giving campers specific action steps.
  • Knowing what to look for (Bullying is often not overt)
  • Looking for a way to address the issue without causing anxiety in the campers, such as an activity during which group bonding is emphasized
Communication is so important with camp behavior. We strive to have an environment for campers to feel comfortable talking to our staff members if there is a situation that makes them uncomfortable. By creating this environment, it allows for campers and staff to have a safe, positive and successful summer. As a parent, when you are talking with your camper, we hope you will stress how important it is for your child to talk to a staff member about anything that is "out of place". 

Our goal is to make CYJ a place that is physically, mentally and spiritually safe for our campers.  If Camp isn't a place where kids feel safe to express who they are, they will never have those magic moments that make summers at CYJ so special.  For this reason, we teach our staff members (most of whom have returned as a result of fond memories of their own camp experience) that they would have never had great experiences at camp if the staff hadn't been so concerned about their health, safety and well being.  

We look forward to a happy, healthy, and safe summer with your children.

Robin, Lee and the CYJ Team
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