Woods Program Policies

Westminster Woods Camp "Woods" Housing Safety Policy:

We will follow the Westminster Woods Housing Policies.
The Executive Director or Assistant Director will designate housing for all campers and staff.
A centralized housing arrangement will seek to foster a sense of community and prevent feelings of isolation among campers.
Campers will stay in a facility that allows for a minimum of two staff persons.
Campers, due to housing and staff restraints, must stay in a facility of their biological sex. Efforts will be made to ensure that housing configurations encourage social interaction, while also respecting personal privacy.
Due to staff constraints, campers will be housed in group housing unless an emergency occurs and a parent or guardian cannot arrive before bedtime. In emergency housing, at least two staff members must be present at all times.
If a door exists between two cabin sides, and there is only one adult per side, the door must be secured open at all times.
All staff that reside on camp grounds must have a background check and receive documented training about working and living safely with children.

Westminster Woods Camp "Woods" Safety Policy for Visitors and Volunteers:

Visitor Supervision Policies

Accompaniment by staff
- All visitors must be accompanied by designated staff member at all times during their visit on the campgrounds.
- Visitors are not allowed to roam the camp unsupervised, including visiting camper housing, activity areas, or other restricted zones.
- Visitors must check in at the camp office upon arrival, where they will be briefed on the camp safety protocols and assigned a staff member as a guide.
Restricted areas
- Visitors are prohibited from entering camper housing areas at any time except during check in.
- Accessed areas where campers are involved in activities, such as the dining hall or recreational spaces, will be at the discretion of camp management and always under supervision.
Identification
- Visitors will be identified to the entire staff by GroupMe or text message.

Volunteer Requirements and Restrictions

Background check:
- All volunteers must undergo and pass a criminal background check before they are allowed to work or interact with campers or camp activities.
- Background checks must be completed and reviewed by Camp Administration prior to the start of the volunteer's service. A copy of the volunteer's background check will be stored in the Assistant Director's Google Drive under Personnel.
- Volunteers must have a background check run yearly.
- Volunteers must fill out Google Forms, the first being a Volunteer Application the second being a Volunteer Policy Acceptance.

Volunteer Expectations Include:

Volunteers are required to check in at the Camp Office upon arrival.
Volunteers are not allowed to be alone with camper ever.
Access to Camp Areas:
- Volunteers are restricted to designated volunteer housing and approved volunteer work areas only.
- Under no circumstances are volunteers permitted to enter camper housing areas or other restricted zones where campers reside.
- Volunteers will be briefed on the specific areas they are allowed to access, and failure to adhere to these restrictions will result immediate removal from volunteer duties.
Volunteer Accountability:
- Volunteers must check in and out with the Camp's Assistant Director to ensure proper accountability.

Monitoring and Enforcement

Camp staff will regularly monitor both visitors and volunteers to ensure compliance with camp safety policies.
Any violation of these policies will result in immediate removal of the individual from the camp grounds and possible reporting to relevant authorities.
All incidents of abuse are required to be reported to the Camp Administration and the Camp Board of Directors.

Public Places and Private Spaces

Three's A Party Rule:

A staff member is never allowed to be alone with a camper, except in a public space that is observable and interruptible by others.
- This includes regular campers, leadership development participants, service development participants, user group campers, and staff under the age of 18.

Private Conversations in Public Spaces

All conversations or one-on-ones must take place in a public space in full view of other staff or campers.

Private Spaces

No one is allowed to enter the sleeping area that is not assigned to you without permission from the cabin counselor.
No one is allowed in the residence of Staff Housing without permission from a resident of the Staff Housing.

Hammocks and Safe Sitting

Pictures, Social Media and Electronic Devices

Pictures

Social Media

You are only allowed to post pictures of campers if Westminster Woods is tagged in the photograph.

Electronic Devices

Electronic Devices such as cell phones, tablets and smartwatches must be kept in the electronic device box in the cabin. They are allowed after lunch during FOB (Feet on the Bunk/Rest time)

Camper and Staff Behavior

No bullying, this may result in you leaving camp and trying again next year.
No inappropriate talk this includes, foul language, gossip, and derogatory comments.
No initiations, there are no traditions of initiations nor will there be initiations that will take place during Westminster Woods "Woods" program in June.
Back Rubs, there will be no back rubs in private or public spaces, except during the song that incorporates an upper shoulder rub during song actions at a chapel service.