Camper Experience Policy

The goal of this policy is to create clear standards and guidelines, across a variety of topics, for our campers to uphold during their time at camp, in order to create a fun and positive experience for all campers. We encourage you to review this information and share it with your camper prior to their arrival.

The contents of this document are reviewed with our summer staff as a part of our staff training weeks, where they will learn to recognize and respond appropriately to situations that arise in order to create a safe and enjoyable experience for every camper.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page or call us at 828-450-3331. Additionally, feel free to download the PDF version of this policy below.

Download the PDF Version here.

Camp Rules

Physical Appearance

Males should wear shirts in the presence of females unless at the pool or another water activity (i.e. slip ‘n slide or whitewater rafting).
Females are to wear a one piece bathing suit at the pool and other water activities (i.e. slip ‘n slide or whitewater rafting)
No spaghetti string tank tops should be worn. Tank tops should have straps with a minimum width of three fingers, and no deep arm holes.
Clothing must not display any explicit, inappropriate, controversial, or political material.
Shoes must have a back strap in order to participate in activities. Otherwise, “slide” style shoes (i.e. Crocs, Birkenstocks, etc.) are okay. No flip flops except to be used as shower shoes.

If your attire is not in keeping with this policy a staff member will communicate the necessary change to you, which must be corrected as soon as possible. Failure to make the necessary adjustments will result in disciplinary action.

Creating a Safe Camp Experience

Campers are to travel with a minimum of one “buddy” from their cabin while on camp property.
Campers are not to throw rocks, sticks, or anything that is not intended to be thrown or could cause injury to another camper or staff.
Campers are not to climb trees, swing from vines, or climb rock faces.
Campers are to stay within camper-approved areas unless with a counselor or staff member.
Campers are not to have in their possession or partake in any vaping or tobacco products. Doing so may result in immediate dismissal.
Campers are not to have in their possession or partake in any alcohol. Doing so may result in immediate dismissal.

Campers are not to have in their possession or do any illegal drugs, or abuse prescription drugs. Doing so will result in immediate dismissal. Prescription medications are to be checked in to the nurse on opening day, who will administer all medications for the duration of their stay at camp.
Campers are not permitted to have any weapons on property, such as guns, knives (other than a pocket knife for campout), other items considered a weapon, etc.

Creating a Positive Camp Experience

We encourage our campers to handle any interpersonal differences by using Matthew 18:15-16 as a guide and, if they feel comfortable, attempting to resolve the issue between the two alone. If unable to reach a resolution, campers would then ask a counselor to join in the conversation, trying again to resolve the conflict. Of course, a camper may always involve their counselor or another staff member in these conversations to begin with if they feel more comfortable.
We have a zero-tolerance policy with regards to bullying and racism at camp. Any behavior viewed as either will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
- Verbal- campers shall not explicitly or implicitly ridicule, or belittle any person, make offensive or derogatory comments, demeaning jokes, slurs or threats to any person.
- Physical – assault, unnecessary touching, impeding or blocking movement, physical interference.
- Visual – sharing of derogatory or demeaning posters, cards, cartoons, graffiti, gestures, etc.

Discipline

Disciplinary Objective

The full time and summer staff will make every effort to communicate our policies and guidelines to the campers. If correction is necessary, our staff will handle it with love and grace to the best of our ability. The scripture below helps to guide us through situations and conversations that arise. We will strive, as often as possible, for a camper to remain at camp. However, if a camper fails to respond to the prescribed correction, the full time staff will implement appropriate disciplinary action, outlined below, which can include dismissal.

PROVERBS 3: 11-12

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

HEBREWS 12: 5-11

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Progressive Disciplinary Procedures

Note: depending on nature and severity of the offense, camp staff may determine to start at any step in the following procedure, skip any step, or immediately dismiss a camper if so warranted. Multiple, unrelated offenses may still result in an escalation of steps within the procedure. Offenses need not be related to warrant progression through these steps.

Verbal warning – verbal warning used for minor offenses; will be documented
First written warning – punishment based on breaking policy
Second written warning – meet with counseling summer staff and full time, call home.

Dismissal – Camp Cedar Cliff looks forward to the opportunity to minister to the needs of each camper. We recognize the importance of this opportunity, along with the tremendous responsibility that comes as part of the unique environment of Christian camping. We also value the need for our campers to understand the importance of their responsibility regarding how they interact with each other. We are committed to respond to each camper with grace, patience, and love which could include dismissal from camp as part of keeping to our commitment.

Mental Health

Mental Health Guidelines

At Camp Cedar Cliff, we care deeply about the health, both mental and physical, of our summer staff and our campers while they are in our care. Mental health issues in particular, while always having been important, have become more commonplace in the camp setting over the last two summers.

In response to this, we have created a set of mental health specific guidelines. We recognize that our response to mental health related issues cannot be “one size fits all”, thus we have created these guidelines in order to assist the Camp Cedar Cliff staff as we navigate any situations that arise. We are also thankful to have a close working relationship with a local Christian counseling ministry, who have agreed to advise us as needed throughout the summer.

We have outlined our response to a few specific circumstances in greater detail below. If circumstances involving potential mental health issues are brought directly to one of our counseling or summer staff, they are to notify a Full Time Staff member immediately. In all situations, whether or not they are mentioned here, our team will operate with love, grace, and by allowing scripture to guide our conversations and actions.

Dissociative Identity Disorder – We will assess any cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder, whether implied or known, on a case to case basis. If a camper reveals identities that are opposite gender, adult aged, or violent in nature they will be sent home. Parents or guardians will be contacted immediately.
Self harm – In an effort to protect the health and experience of all campers, we reserve the right to send a camper home if discovered engaging in or discussing self harm. Parents or guardians will be notified immediately if a camper displays any behaviors that could indicate previous, ongoing, or future instances of self harm.
Anxiety/panic attacks – If a camper appears to be exhibiting signs of anxiety/panic attacks, our camp nurse will be called immediately. Camp Cedar Cliff staff reserve the right to send a camper home if episodes of anxiety become more than what our team is reasonably equipped to handle.

Regarding all other situations, a parent or guardian will be contacted to discuss the best path forward. In all circumstances, the ideal outcome is for a camper to remain at camp. Afterall, their presence on this property is necessary for us to be able to minister to and share Jesus with them! However, if we believe a situation to be beyond our ability to remedy, we will choose the safest and most appropriate path forward for all parties involved. Our goal is to create a safe environment to help, love, and encourage our campers.

PSALM 23:1-3

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.