Camp Taloali is committed to protecting its campers and staff from bullying (which includes harassment and discrimination) for any reason and of any type. The Camp Taloali Board believes that everyone is entitled to a safe, equitable, and positive camping experience. Bullying will be just cause for dismissal from camp or disciplinary action.
"Bullying" means inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on a camper or staff member. It is further defined as unwanted purposeful written, verbal, nonverbal, or physical behavior, including but not limited to any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture that has the potential to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive camping environment or cause long term damage; cause discomfort or humiliation; or unreasonably interferes with the individual’s camping participation, is carried out repeatedly and is often characterized by an imbalance of power.
Bullying may involve, but is not limited to:
1. harassment due to disability, sexuality, religion, socioeconomic status, ethnic background, or other factors with the impact of causing emotional or physical harm.
2. threatening
3. intimidating
4. stalking
5. insulting
6. dehumanizing
7. physical violence
8. theft
9. unwanted teasing
10. public humiliation
11. destruction of camp or personal property
12. social exclusion
13. rumor or spreading of falsehoods.
14. incitement or coercion
15. any cyber use (phone texting or voice, computer, videophone) that causes emotional or physical harm.
Expectations: Camp Taloali expects everyone to treat each other positively and with dignity and respect. Bullying of any kind is prohibited.
Training: During orientation and training prior to camp, all staff members will be trained in the Bullying Policy. Families of campers will be sent of a copy of the policy in advance of camp attendance and will be encouraged to instruct their children about the policy.
Reporting an act of bullying: The camp director/administrator is responsible for receiving oral or written complaints alleging violations of this policy. A board member may also receive the complaint. Any campers (and/or parent or staff member on that camper's behalf) who believes he/she/they or another camp member is victim of bullying is strongly encouraged to report the incident(s) in writing to the camp director/administrator or a board member. Camp staff who observes an act of bullying is required to report it. The staff person is required to then report, in writing, any allegations of bullying or violations of this policy to the director/administrator or board member. Failure to report bullying by staff will result in discipline. Complaints will be filed as soon as possible after the alleged incident.
Bullying Complaints and Resolution:
Informal resolution - where the camp director/administrator, along with the alleged victim, and the accused/student may agree to informally resolve the complaint. Documented interviews of the victim, alleged perpetrator, and witnesses are conducted privately separately, and are confidential. Each individual (victim, alleged perpetrator and witnesses) will be interviewed separately, and at no time will the alleged perpetrator and victim be interview together. Each party's agreement to informal resolution must be in writing. The incident and the resolution must be documented.
Formal resolution - where investigation of a reported act bullying is conducted by the camp director/administrator and at lease one board member. If one of them is accused, and another board member will be assist in the investigation. Documented interviews of the victim, alleged perpetrator, and witnesses are conducted privately separately, and are confidential. Each individual (victim, alleged perpetrator and witnesses) will be interviewed separately, and at no time will the alleged perpetrator and victim be interview together.
If the act is determined to be a possible criminal act, it will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Once a resolution is established parents will be promptly notified of any actions is being to taken to protect the victim.
Disciplinary actions: Consequences and appropriate interventions for campers who commit acts of bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions to dismissal from camp. A staff person who commits acts of bullying will be disciplined which could result in termination of employment/volunteer status. All steps necessary to protect the victim from further violations of this policy will be taken.
Retaliation Prohibited: Retaliation against any individual who has made a bullying complaint or any individuals who has testified, assisted, or participated, in any manner, is an investigation is prohibited.