Project ROOTS 2020 Participant Information

Our cornerstone program, Project ROOTS, is an immersive social justice and human relations experience. We bring together students ages 14-17 for a weeklong residential retreat where we co-construct a community based in compassion, self-reflection and responsibility. We unplug from technology and plug into each others’ humanity and stories, putting those stories in the context of our individual and collective histories. Through experiential workshops and large and small group dialogue, we delve into topics of identity, justice and solidarity. We remember that we are boundless beings full of wonder and expansion. As we strip away fear, scarcity and division, we are better able to regain a sense of wholeness and beloved community.

Please read the Critical Information Packet below thorougly before continuing. It is also included below.
CRITICAL INFORMATION PACKET

Dear Student Participant and Parent/Guardian,

Congratulations on your selection to attend Project ROOTS this summer! We look forward to seeing you from Sunday, July 28, 2024 - Friday, August 2, 2024. Please read this mailer thoroughly as it includes information about:
- transportation to Project ROOTS
- meals/snacks
- cancellations
- emergency contact and cell phone policy
- a snapshot of what a day at ROOTS looks like
TRANSPORTATION:

All ROOTS students must ride on the bus secured by The ROOTS Project. No student may drive a car or be driven to/from Camp Johnsonburg, the Project ROOTS host site. There will be ROOTS bus counselors to ensure the safety of all students.

BUS STOP DETAILS are linked here: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY and note that there are assigned bus stops for NYC and NJ-based students.

An email will be sent to all families using the contact info provided in the participant packet to communicate the safe arrival of all students. Whenever applicable, school/organization advisors will also be copied on this email.

MEALS:
All meals and snacks are provided each day of Project ROOTS, so there is no need to bring any additional snacks with you. However, bring a bag lunch and beverage with you on the bus. The first meal at ROOTS is dinner on Sunday night. No snacks are allowed in cabins. If you have specific dietary needs and must bring snacks, they will be safely held and provided for you throughout the week.

CANCELLATIONS:
Please notify The ROOTS Project, Inc. (info@inclusiveroots.org) and your school/community-based advisor right away if you know that you are unable to attend the week-long Project ROOTS session. Alternate participants are waiting for the chance to attend should cancellations occur.

CELL PHONE POLICY
Cell phones are not allowed at Project ROOTS. As such, you will not be able to contact your child throughout the week. We will collect any phones that are brought and return them at the end of the program. They will be kept in a locked safe; however, please be advised that The ROOTS Project, Inc. does not take responsibility for any lost or damaged items. Therefore, we advise you to leave all electronic gadgets, connected devices, Apple watches, etc. at home! We will send an email to the email address included on your child’s paperwork to let you know that your child has safely arrived on Sunday. Please email info@inclusiveroots.org with any changes to your email.

WHY NO CELL PHONES/CONNECTED DEVICES?
Our goal at ROOTS is to build a community in which students are given the opportunity to talk about all aspects of their identity in a safe space. To create this safe environment, we ask students to unplug from their “real life” and take the time to reflect on their individual lived experiences. Self-reflection is often a challenging process. Therefore, we select and intensively train all of our highly qualified staff to guide delegates through this experience in an environment that is grounded in mutual respect, safety, dignity and sense of belonging. However, we cannot control who your child engages with outside of the campsite if given access to a phone/connected device. Your child’s physical and emotional well-being is our utmost priority. We humbly ask for your cooperation in making this possible. Our days at ROOTS are very full. They are designed to give youth the opportunity to bond and connect meaningfully with those around them--spending time talking to friends from home detracts from the opportunity of making new connections!

NON-EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION:
We do not have a dedicated phone line at the campsite. Therefore, please help us be respectful of Johnsonburg staff by calling them only in the case of an emergency.
You are welcome to email the Project ROOTS Core Leadership Team (Chancy Bhatt, Henaz Bhatt, Nicole Mulligan) with non-urgent communication at info@inclusiveroots.org. They will check this email daily throughout the week.

IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY:
Call the Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center at (908) 852.2349 or (908) 914.8520.
The message will be immediately shared with the ROOTS’ on-site leadership, who will communicate with your child immediately.
If, for some reason, you are unable to get through to the camp line, you can call the ROOTS Core Leadership Team at 908-671-1770 .

QUESTIONS?
Feel free to contact us at 908-671-1770 or info@inclusiveroots.org with any questions.

And to our ROOTS participants:

We look forward to meeting you and co-constructing our community this summer! In addition to the packing list provided, we hope you come to ROOTS with your minds and hearts open to new ideas, thoughts, and possibilities. We are thankful for your presence at Project ROOTS and are hopeful this will be an experience that you will carry forward in your life and the spaces you inhabit.

Sincerely,

Chancy Bhatt

Founding Member of The ROOTS Project, Inc.
To learn more visit our website at inclusiveroots.org/project-roots

FINAL DEADLINE: May 17, 2024!
Project ROOTS Participant Packet

July 28 - August 2, 2024 at Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center
Participant Information
Please check off the option that applies to you:*

My school is sending me to Project ROOTSAn organization I'm affiliated with is sending me to Project ROOTSMy family is sending me to Project ROOTS
School Name or Organization*
How did you hear about this program? *
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Name you prefer to be called
Birth Date: MM/DD/YYYY*
What grade will you be entering in September 2024?*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
E-mail*
example@example.com
Cell Number
Instagram handle
T-shirt size*
Legal Guardian Information
(1) Legal Guardian Name *

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Alt Phone Number
If different from mobile number
E-mail*
example@example.com
(2) Legal Guardian Name

First NameLast Name
Phone Number
Alt Phone Number
E-mail
example@example.com
Emergency Contact Information (this will be used if we cannot reach your legal guardian)
(1) Emergency Contact's Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to participant*
Phone Number*
Alt. Phone Number
(2) Emergency Contact's Name*

First NameLast Name
Relationship to participant*
Phone Number*
Alt. Phone Number
Participant Demographic Information

We collect the following voluntary information to better understand our participants and to create inclusive and equitable spaces. We hope that with your honest feedback, we can ensure a welcoming environment for all participants.
What gender pronouns do you use?
What access needs do you have?
Access needs are anything someone might need in order to fully participate. They can range from physical to emotional needs. Here is a definition of access needs from Sins Invalid, a disability justice organization. "Access needs are those things that are needed in order for someone to fully participate in a space or activity, which can include wheelchair access, scent-free space, ASL interpretation, etc. In a disability justice context, access needs are seen as universal - every bodymind has needs, not just disabled people." Please share any access needs you might have that you would like for us to know about! In the case that we are unable to meet your access needs, someone from the ROOTS staff will contact you directly.
How do you identify in terms of gender?
How do you identify in terms of race?
How do you identify in terms of sexual identity?
How do you identify in terms of ability status?
How do you identify in terms of religion/belief system?
Are there any other aspects of your identity that you would like to share with us?
Release Form: Contact Information

To keep our ever-growing community connected, a contact list of participants’ information will be distributed to staff and other participants.
I GRANT PERMISSION for the following information to be distributed to staff and participants. (check all that apply)*

EmailCell phone #None of the above
BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND SIGNING BELOW, I AM DELIVERING AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE. THE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE WILL BE EQUALLY AS BINDING AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE.
Legal Guardian Signature*
Release Form: Promotional Materials

Throughout the week, participants will be asked to reflect and complete written evaluations that include their comments, views, and opinions on the programming at Project ROOTS.

I GRANT permission for my child’s comments to be used as promotional material for The ROOTS Project, Inc.
BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND SIGNING BELOW, I AM DELIVERING AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE. THE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE WILL BE EQUALLY AS BINDING AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE.
Legal Guardian Signature *

Permission to use Photographs, Recordings, and Likeness

I, as the legal guardian of {fullName}, hereby grant The ROOTS Project, Inc., its officers, employees, agents, designees, and representatives, the right to photograph and create video and/or audio recordings of my child and their property, either individually or with others. I authorize The ROOTS Project, Inc., its assigns, and transferees, to copyright, use, and publish my child’s likeness and any photographs or recordings of my child in print or electronically or in any other way and for any purpose, including commercial and advertising uses, for all time. I waive any claims I might have otherwise asserted against The ROOTS Project, Inc., its officers, employees, agents, designees, or representatives, relating to the use of my child’s likeness or any photographs or recordings of my child. I understand and agree that they may or may not be identified by name, age, place of residence, or by any other means in connection with such photographs or recordings at the sole discretion of The ROOTS Project, Inc.
I have read and understand the above statements.*

I CONSENT to them in full.I DO NOT consent to them.
BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND SIGNING BELOW, I AM DELIVERING AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE. THE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE WILL BE EQUALLY AS BINDING AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE.
Legal Guardian Signature*

Program Consent Form
As {fullName}'s legal guardian,
- I am aware that Project ROOTS is an intensive, week-long program that covers material that can be challenging and mature at times, including but not limited to: racism, sexism, heterosexism, body image, classism, prejudice and bias, and oppression.
- I am aware that program materials may elicit emotional responses from my child, ranging from anger, sadness, and confusion to hope and joy throughout the week. My child has no medical, emotional or psychological illnesses or impairments that could render her/his participation unsafe or inappropriate for my child or others.
- I am aware that The ROOTS Project Inc. is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of my child. My child will be supervised closely and the curriculum is designed to be accessible and inclusive to various learning styles. I understand, however, that it is impossible for The ROOTS Project, Inc. to guarantee absolute safety.
- If the staff at Project ROOTS decides for any reason to send my child home early, I agree to pick my child up as soon as is possible. I am responsible for all transportation costs and incidental expenses in such a circumstance.
- I will inform The ROOTS Project, Inc. if any medical or other reported information for my child changes prior to his/her participation.
- I have read and fully understand the information in this packet and I have discussed it with my child.
BY ACKNOWLEDGING AND SIGNING BELOW, I AM DELIVERING AN ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE THAT WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE. THE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE WILL BE EQUALLY AS BINDING AS AN ORIGINAL MANUAL PAPER SIGNATURE.
I have read and understand the above statements and consent to them in full. Legal Guardian Signature *
Please review and save this packing list as you prepare for Project ROOTS!

Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center requires all campers to complete medical paperwork. Detailed instructions and all necessary forms will be shared separately. This must be done before you arrival at Project ROOTS.

Thank you for completing your participant packet.

We look forward to meeting you and getting to know you soon!
Should be Empty:

To learn more visit our website at inclusiveroots.org/project-roots

FINAL DEADLINE: May 17, 2024!

Project ROOTS Participant Packet

Permission to use Photographs, Recordings, and Likeness

Program Consent Form

Thank you for completing your participant packet.

We look forward to meeting you and getting to know you soon!