Our number one priority is the safety of our campers. This begins with our hiring process and extends to our policies regarding off-season interactions between campers and staff. 

Abuse

The highest priority of Ghostlight Theater Camp is to provide a safe environment for campers and staff. Ghostlight staff members must take special care to use sound judgment and to avoid even the appearance of improper conduct. Activities, stories, and language that may make others feel uncomfortable – physically, emotionally, sexually – are strictly prohibited. Since children, teens, and adults have different sensitivity levels and cultural norms, staff members should err on the side of caution. Actions will be judged by how they are perceived, not just how they were intended.

Abusive behavior will result in severe consequences including dismissal from camp and the possibility of legal action.

Abusive conduct at camp falls under five main categories:

• PHYSICAL ABUSE – NEVER, under any circumstances, should a staff member use physical force with a camper – either as a behavioral consequence or even as an overly playful gesture. Such gestures can be subject to many interpretations.
  
  If you feel yourself getting angry, find another staff member to supervise and walk away, count to 10, etc., but NEVER touch a camper out of anger or use any physical force. Please seek guidance and help if you feel this way; asking for help is a sign of strength.
  
  
• PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE – Emotional abuse refers to interactions with campers that cause them emotional or psychological distress. Staff members are in a position of authority over campers, and when power is used inappropriately or abusively, it can cause great distress, as fear and distrust replace the comfort and trust we try to build.
  
  Examples of emotional abuse include acts of rejection, isolation, and exploitation, scaring, and taking advantage of campers. Calling campers demeaning names, withholding food or treats as punishment, threatening, blaming or humiliating campers, giving unreasonable punishments, and ignoring campers who are in need of your support can all cause psychological harm. Avoid mean jokes and sarcasm.
  
  
• VERBAL ABUSE – Never threaten a camper. Never yell, curse, or scream at a camper. Yelling and cursing might help you let off steam, but only communicates a message of being out of control. It can scare the campers, even if they don’t tell you they are scared and pretend they are okay with it. Similarly, stories and language that are inappropriate can be abusive. As with psychological/emotional abuse, the scars are not always visible but are often irreparable.
  
  
• NEGLECT – Neglect is often an unintentional form of abuse, but can be just as damaging as the above. Examples of neglect include poor supervision, withholding attention, withholding food, and disregard for basic physical safety, emotional safety, and comfort of campers.
  
  
• SEXUAL ABUSE – Any sexual behavior between a staff member and camper is by definition abusive. Sexual behavior may include, but is not limited to:
  • • Unwanted sexual touching, such as sexual touching that lacks mutual consent, or any sexual behavior by one person that is undesired by the other person.
    • Sexual touching with the use of force, which is sexual assault.
    • A staff member touching a camper for their own sexual stimulation or that of the camper.
    • Sexual behavior that takes place in front of a camper.
      
      We reiterate that any sexual behavior between a staff member and camper is by definition abusive and explicitly note that a camper is incapable of giving consent to sexual behavior under any circumstances whatsoever.

Providing any camper with drugs or alcohol is a criminal offense, and is prohibited at camp and at all Ghostlight events. Similarly, it is prohibited for staff members to interact with or be around campers while under the influence or in possession of drugs or alcohol.

Healthy and nurturing physical contact is an important aspect of our value system and our camp’s culture.

Appropriate contact with campers is defined as physical contact for the sole purpose of nurturing or reassuring the person touched, and should be restricted to shoulders, upper back, arms, and hands. It is given with no expectations of anything in return to convey approval, reassurance, or trust. It always accounts for the comfort level of the person being touched. If a camper demonstrates any discomfort, this form of reassurance should stop.

Ghostlight Theater Camp should be a place where nurturing touch can occur and discussion about feelings can occur. Again, staff should restrict these instances of touch to times when they are in public view. Examples may include:

• Pats on the back or touch on the shoulder
• Hugs of welcome/hello/goodbye
• Handshakes, high fives, etc.
• The appropriateness of physical contact will vary with different ages, the context of the interaction, and the stages of childhood development.

Ghostlight Theater Camp’s discipline policy is designed to create a safe camp environment and help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their actions.

Clear and consistent, age-appropriate rules and limits are established at camp. Ghostlight provides campers with clear expectations and works to balance structure with freedom, both in an effort to set campers up for success. When campers fall short of these expectations, it may be necessary to provide corrective discipline. Any disciplinary measure will relate proportionately to the camper’s actions and be handled promptly. Some ideas for correcting campers’ behaviors include:

• Make it clear that their behavior goes against our community agreements. Ex: “Hey, Zelda, that’s a put down and we don’t do put downs at Ghostlight.”
• Give your camper a chance to explain; they may have a good reason. Ex: “Hey, Plato, can you tell me why you weren’t back in the cabin with the rest of the group?”
• Be consistent and impartially curious.
• Stay cool and calm; keep strong emotions in check. If your emotions are becoming heightened, tag out.
• Avoid lecturing or embarrassing the camper.
• Stress that the behavior is the problem, not the camper’s personality. Help the camper to identify acceptable alternatives to the problem behavior.
• Once the disciplinary time is over, accept the camper as a part of the group again.
• If problems persist, call in the Head Counselor or a camp director.

Some guidelines for discipline at camp include:

• No physical or corporal punishment or hitting of any kind is allowed.
• No cruel punishment, verbal abuse or humiliation, scare tactics, or other controlling measures are allowed.
• No methods associated with the deprivation of food, water, shelter, or extended isolation are allowed.
• No punishment of any kind for wetting the bed is allowed.

Suppose a child’s behavior is chronically disruptive, even after reasonable measures have been made to assist the child in adjusting to the camp setting. In that case, parents will be contacted by camp staff to determine if the child can continue at camp. Staff will always work toward developing a cooperative plan of action to maximize a camper’s chances of success at summer camp. If disruptive behavior continues, the camper may be dismissed from the camp program.

Ghostlight Theater Camp reserves the right to immediately dismiss a camper from the summer camp program without prior warning.

The following actions may result in immediate dismissal from camp:

• Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
• Leaving the camp grounds without permission
• Smoking (including e-cigarettes) or vaping
• Possessing or using marijuana (or marijuana equipment)
• Possessing weapons or firearms
• Vandalism (including graffiti) or pranks or activities that destroy camp property
• Invading someone’s privacy while they are in the bathroom or shower
• Self-harmful behaviors
• Sexual activity (including intercourse, oral sex, or other behavior for which the camp cannot take responsibility)
• Homophobic, Transphobic or Racist language

It is not possible to list all forms of behavior that are considered unacceptable.

Ghostlight staff members and volunteers should refrain from showing favoritism to campers for whom they are responsible (e.g., gift giving that is specific to an individual camper or spending a disproportionate amount of time individually with one camper).

Words, what we say, and how we communicate with others can be nurturing and supportive. Language and communication can also be destructive and hurtful. All members of the Ghostlight community should be careful and cognizant of the language used at all times, and especially when we speak to and/or are in the presence of campers.

Ghostlight staff members and campers may not make any sexually suggestive comments, jokes, innuendos, or behavior, or use inappropriate language to or in the presence of campers. In addition:

• Communications with campers should include language that is encouraging, respectful, and confidence-boosting.
• Staff members may not use language that teases, belittles, or shames a camper.

Inappropriate language/conversation may include, but is not limited to:

• Cursing
• Using lewd or sexually suggestive language
• Comments about the way a person looks, is dressed, or about a person's body
• Questions about a person's sexuality/orientation
• Information about a staff member’s intimate behaviors, relationships, desires, or body.
• A staff member should never ask a camper to keep a secret.

All interactions with campers are to take place in spaces that are both observable and interruptible. This includes but is not limited to spaces with observable windows and unlocked doors and is reported as being used for programming purposes (is taking place at a time and in a space known and designated for programming use). Ideally, one-to-one interactions should occur when additional staff and/or adults are in the same or adjoining space.

During one-to-one interactions, the room door should be open or with an unobstructed window view with clear visibility into the room.

The door should be unlocked and the staff member should not physically be between the camper and the room exit.

When transporting campers out of camp (doctor’s appointments, shopping needs, meeting a group, etc.), at least two staff members should accompany the campers. In the unavoidable situation when a Ghostlight staff member must transport a camper alone, this arrangement must be approved by a supervisor.

Ghostlight actively promotes photographic recording of our community for archival and promotional purposes. We also acknowledge that images of campers may be used inappropriately or illegally. Therefore, the following rules apply to photography (including video) of campers at Ghostlight:

Any physical contact that violates the person's comfort level is prohibited. Examples of prohibited touch include:

• Sexual contact of any kind with a camper
• Physical force (hitting, arm twisting, pinching, towel whipping, etc.)
• “Hazing” activities which can be physically and/or sexually abusive and cause psychological harm, e.g., touching and/or in any way playing with a camper while they are sleeping.

Fundamental principle: No person should ever be touched in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. When in doubt, even about seemingly innocent touching (e.g., hug, pat on the back, lifting, etc.), ask the camper or don’t do it.

Caution: Staff members must never be alone with an individual camper in a closed, private place. Any situation can be misinterpreted, so keeping doors open, avoiding private spaces, and staying in groups is important.

Staff members should block and redirect a camper who attempts to touch the staff member inappropriately or sexually. They should discourage campers from inappropriate expectations of touch in a gentle manner, being mindful not to embarrass the camper.

Staff members should set limits when campers seek excessive, inappropriate, or sexual attention and obtain support services for campers who continually struggle with these limits.

Additionally, all staff members should be mindful of the camper’s behavior and actions, taking notice of behaviors that may be suggestive of past abuse, as communicated during training. Such behaviors should be communicated to camp leadership as soon as possible.

Behavior by a staff member that is cause for concern and should be reported to your supervisor:

• Pays too much attention to an individual camper
• Too much touching of campers, even touching that is seemingly innocent
• Invites campers to their housing
• Allows campers to shower or change in their private space
• Gives gifts to a specific camper

Staff members should not communicate with individual campers on the internet during or after the camp season other than in ways expressly permitted by the camp.

In the event that a staff member is required, for Ghostlight business purposes, to communicate with a camper via email, text message, or social media, an additional staff member or parent/guardian must be copied on the communication.

Staff members who have Ghostlight email accounts must communicate with campers using these accounts (not from personal email accounts) or Ghostlight social networking profiles (e.g., not personal Facebook or other social media accounts).

Staff members should not send social media “friend” requests to a camper utilizing a personal social media account.