Staff Conduct Expectations

The following is an online version of our Staff Manual - Section C

Staff Conduct & Related Policies

Staff Behaviour

As a Camp Kadesh staff member you now represent the camp both when you are onsite and offsite. For the campers you will represent Camp Kadesh for the rest of your life! It is a big role you’ve signed up for. It is our hope and expectation that each staff member would always be striving to live a life that reflects an active relationship with Jesus. We ask that staff keep this standard in mind as they interact with campers, parents and the outside world as representatives of Jesus, and also staff of Camp Kadesh. Staff will also be evaluated on this standard when applying for future positions.

Personal Relationships at Camp

Camp Kadesh is an environment where healthy personal relationships are encouraged between all members of the camp community. The following are guidelines for various types of interactions.

STAFF TO CAMPER

A healthy staff to camper relationship is encouraged with appropriate expressions of affection. Staff members are expected to avoid any inappropriate relationship with a camper. Abusive behaviour (physical, emotional, or spiritual), corporal punishment or intimate physical contact with a minor is not acceptable in any way.

  • Touch children in safe places on their bodies, avoiding private places. The back, the head and the shoulders are acceptable places. The buttocks, breasts, thighs and groin are not acceptable. No form of contact with a camper should be over an extended period of time.

  • Make a point of showing affection to all your campers in public view where others can see you. Your actions should be such that you as staff feel comfortable that others see you. Because campers open up to various people differently, ask permission to hug or show affection to them.

  • Avoid being alone with a camper, unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Try to always let a fellow staff member know where you will be, why and for how long. Staff should always avoid any situation with campers that could, in any way, be misconstrued as being indiscreet.

STAFF TO STAFF

For healthy personal relationships between staff members, we expect each staff member to be respectful of each other in our camp community.

Outward displays of affection, such as kissing or any type of physical contact in the presence of the campers or while involved with any aspect of your duties, as staff are not allowed. Single staff must not share living or overnight accommodations with other staff on a coed basis. Staff should not be in the accommodation space of the opposite gender whether a cabin or on second floor. All staff should use discretion when relating to other staff.

Staff Conflict

When there is conflict, the expectation is that you seek to sort things out first with the other person. (Matt 18:15) If there is a problem with a fellow staff you should discuss it with them and not talk about (grumble, slander) it with other staff. In the event that you can not find common ground it would be expected that you would take the issue to a lead staff member (Program Coordinator or a Director) to help with a resolution. There should not be any grumbling and conversation about the conflict with other staff. Unity in our staff is of high importance.

Staff Medications Policy

Staff under the age of 18 must turn in all medication to the First Aid Responder on Sundays for the duration of their term at camp. A plan will be made as to when it will need to be accessed and can be picked up at the end of the week. Staff over the age of 18 must keep their medications in a locker in the staff bathroom to keep them safe from guests that may make their way into the bathrooms upstairs.

Smoking/Vaping Policy

Camp Kadesh supports a smoke/nicotine free environment. Any staff member that is a smoker must check in with a Director to create a plan for how and when all breaks for smoking will happen. These rules would also apply to any person that uses an electronic cigarette or similar device.

Staff under the age of 18 must keep vapes/smokes in the front office. Staff over the age of 18 must keep vapes/smokes locked up in the lockers in the bathroom. Staff who vape/smoke must do so out of sight of campers at appropriate break times.

Alcohol Policy

Camp Kadesh strictly prohibits possession of alcohol on camp property by anyone. During breaks between camps the following guidelines should be observed:

  • Staff members who are of legal consumption age are asked to refrain from alcohol consumption 12 hours before active responsibility at camp.

  • Staff members that are of legal drinking age are asked to never drink alcohol when in the company of other staff members that are not of drinking age in any social setting outside of camp during the summer months of employment.

  • Our hope for our staff is that they would approach consumption of alcohol in view of Ephesians 5:18 “Do not be drunk on wine… but be filled with the spirit.” and that legal consumption on personal time would be in moderation and consumed responsibly.

Cannabis Policy

Camp Kadesh strictly prohibits possession of cannabis on camp property by anyone. While we recognize the legalization of Cannabis in Canada, we ask our staff to refrain from consumption during the length of employment at Camp Kadesh. If Cannabis needs to be used medicinally, we would require a note from a doctor, as well as it be administered by our First Aid responder.

Illegal Substances (Drug) Policy

Any individual using or distributing illegal drugs or chemical substances, on or off property, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including immediate termination of their position or dismissal and referral for criminal prosecution as the circumstances dictate.

Harassment Policy

It is the policy of Camp Kadesh that all members are entitled to work in an environment free of: Unwelcome or repeated advances, demands or harassment of a sexual nature and all other forms of verbal or physical harassment based on sex, race, religious preference, age or ethnic background. Such conduct offends an individual‘s dignity and creates an objectionable work climate, which cannot be tolerated morally or legally.

If an individual is found to be the perpetrator of work-related harassment, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or dismissal from camp. Any staff person who feels that he/she has been subjected to harassment of any type, whether by a coworker, supervisor, customer or any agent of this organization should promptly report the incident to their supervisor or the Executive Director.

Staff Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones should only be carried on personal free time and not visible from campers during this time. Staff members that are required to carry a phone, should avoid using a phone during any meal or other times when campers are present unless part of camp programming. Any use of cell phones should be approved by the Program Coordinator(s) beforehand.

Staff are allowed to have cell phones in the cabin for emergency purposes and for use in creative cabin management. As above personal use should be avoided and at best be very discrete to prevent camper distraction. This does not mean you can spend all night on your cell phone as Lights Out and Curfew applies in the cabin. (See Section 10 below)

For social media policy and meeting with campers in person see Section D

Pranking Policy

It is our general policy that all staff should avoid coordinating any pranks. This would include pranks directed at fellow staff members or campers. It is our hope that all staff would intervene against pranks coordinated by campers to ensure a safe and enjoyable camp experience. If a staff wishes to coordinate some sort of general prank the only way that it would be allowed is for the prank to be approved by a Director, in advance and it would need to pass the 4 “S” Test: 1) is it SAFE? 2) Does it build SELF ESTEEM? 3) Is it good STEWARDSHIP? 4) Are you being a good SERVANT to others? If the prank does not meet pass the 4 S TEST the prank will not be allowed.

Time Off Policy

Time off needs to be requested using a “Time Off Request Form.” These forms can be found HERE Requests should be made two weeks in advance. All requests are subject to the needs of staffing requirements and will be granted in the priority they are received. Requests made within two weeks will be granted at the discretion of the staff member’s direct supervisor and the Associate/Summer Camps Director. Staff whose position is less than full summer should not ask for time off during their limited work term. Exceptions can be made, but those requests should be directed to one of the Director’s before requesting time off.

During a week of camp, Staff are permitted to leave site during their designated off times. All staff must sign out/in using the book at the front office. If you would like to travel further than Christopher or Emma Lake, you must clear this trip ahead of time with a Director.

Lights Out & Curfew

Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 pm (unless program dictates otherwise)

Friday night - Midnight *

Saturday night - 11:00 pm *

Lights out means that all general gathering areas are empty, lights are turned out, the facilities are quiet, and all staff are back on property. If you are offsite and will need to get ready before bed, arrive back with time to spare before Lights Out. All staff are expected to be in personal accommodations after this time. Exceptions can be granted with permission from one of the Directors or where specific roles dictate late working hours. In the case of late work hours this should be in an office space and not sleep space. *Permission for a later curfew can be requested in advance for Friday and Saturday nights. Requests should be made before 7:00 pm on that day of the request.

Visitors to Camp Kadesh

Visitors must:

  • Be approved by a Director before extending an invitation to Camp Kadesh.

  • Not be a distraction to staff duties or camper programming.

  • Wear a visitor badge while campers are present

  • Be with a staff member at all times, or be in a non camper area (such as the staff lounge or program office)

  • Be off property by 8:00 pm, unless participating in (attending) chapel and/or camp fire, after which time all visitors are expected to depart.

Kitchen Policy

The Food Services Manager has final authority in the kitchen, when in doubt, ask.

Only eat food that is designated for staff or set out for a particular meal.

Staff should avoid entering the kitchen unless on the food team or absolutely necessary.

Staff should not enter the walk-in freezer, cooler or pantry unless they are part of the meal prep and/or under the direction of kitchen staff.

No sitting on counters or tables at any time. (This includes the dining hall)

Clean up after yourself in all areas of the kitchen and dining hall area.

Dining hall, kitchen and dish-pit are to be cleaned by all staff who stay at Kadesh over the weekend. Meeting time for weekend cleanup is 12:00 pm on Sunday. No meal preparation or eating of camp food is allowed after 12:00 pm on Sunday.

Additional policies will apply to staff working directly in the Kitchen and Dishpit.

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