Summer Camp Policies

Camp Daggett prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. Summer camps must ensure that they do not discriminate against individuals (including youth campers, adult volunteers, and staff) on any of these bases. While this policy is not new, the Camp Daggett Board of Trustees are seeking guidance each year on how to update and implement this policy.

Camp Daggett staff will address all campers by the name the camper choses. Cabin assignments will be made based on the camper’s sex assigned at birth (as recorded on their birth certificate). Accommodations will be made for private bathroom, shower and changing areas for those requesting such accommodations.

In general, we at Camp Daggett view social networking sites (e.g., Facebook and Instagram), personal Web sites, and Weblogs positively and respect the right of campers to use them as a medium of self-expression.  However, we share the concerns of many families, schools, and camps regarding the dangers associated with young people’s use of social networking Web sites.  Therefore, it is our feeling at Camp Daggett that if a camper chooses to identify himself or herself as a camper at our camp on such Internet venues, some readers of such Web sites or blogs may view the camper as a representative or spokesperson of the camp.  In light of this possibility, our camp requires, as a condition of continued participation in the camp, that campers observe the following guidelines when referring to the camp, its programs or activities, its campers, and/or employees, in a blog or on a Web site.

1. Campers should be respectful in all communications and blogs related to or referencing the camp, its employees, and other campers.
2. Campers should not use social networking sites, blogs, or personal Web sites to disparage the camp, other campers, or employees of the camp.
3. Campers should not use social networking sites, blogs, or personal Web sites to harass, bully, or intimidate other campers or employees of the camp. Behaviors that constitute harassment and bullying include, but are not limited to, comments that are derogatory with respect to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, color, or disability; sexually suggestive, humiliating, or demeaning comments; and threats to stalk, haze, or physically injure another person.

Furthermore, our pledge is to put your children in the company of the most trustworthy and capable young adults we can hire—counselors who are well suited to the task of caring for campers.  The effort we put into screening and selecting our staff is part of that pledge.  Our staff members work with your children in the context of a visible, well scrutinized environment that has many built-in checks and balances.  Counselors are supervised by senior staff guided by clear, firm policies regarding behavior.  Their actions are also visible to co-workers and campers.  In general, we discourage our staff from having contact with your children after camp and from sharing information through social networking sites, blogs, or personal Web sites, since we cannot supervise it.  We hire our staff for the camp season and train them extensively in such policies, but we cannot take responsibility for their behavior off-season.  We also respect their desire for continued privacy during the off-season.

We recommend that you as the parent supervise your child’s online activities just as you do other aspects of their life in your home, and we hope that, in particular, you will discuss this information with your child. Please know that we remain committed to the health and safety of all members of our community.  As always, we appreciate your support and welcome your comments.