Behavior Management Procedure

The following is a general guideline that Camp Erie follows when handling disciplinary/behavioral situations. Once the situation and incident is understood and documented, final decisions on behavioral and disciplinary actions are determined by administrative staff. 

Please refer to the Camp Erie Parent Information Page for more information on camp goals, philosophy, and objectives. 

Step 1: Verbal Warning  

Staff will talk with camper, in order to acknowledge feelings, gather information and create a plan to repair any harm that has been caused and find ways to prevent behaviors in the future. Depending on the severity of the situation, parents will be notified.  

Step 2: Behavior Report and Time Away from Activity  

Separation from the group for an age appropriate amount of time (General standard of practice being at most 1 minute per year of age of the camper). Staff will discuss the inappropriate behavior and expectations before returning to the group. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be notified at the time of pick up of the behavior. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be asked to partner with Camp Erie Staff in identifying steps to avoid and correct such behavior. 

Step 3: Behavior Management Plan 

If disruptive behavior persists, parents/guardians will be asked to come to the program as a partner to discuss the issues and to assist in the creation of a Positive Behavior Support Plan. Parents/guardians, Camper and Director(s) will discuss the inappropriate behavior and develop a positive behavior management plan in which to address the issue at hand. Parents/guardians will be required to take the camper home for the remainder of the day. 

Camp Erie staff will monitor behavior closely and provide regular feedback to the camper and  the camper’s parent(s)/guardian(s). Staff will discuss the inappropriate behavior and work with the camper to develop a positive solution to the specific situation.   

Step 4: Suspension 

If the disruptive behavior persists or the camper does not follow the plan created and agreed upon, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted to pick up their camper from the program. At an agreed upon time, a discussion will be had pertaining to any additional support that the camper might need to be successful and the length of camper’s suspension from the program. 

Step 5: Dismissal from Camp 

If the prior interventions are not successful AND the camper's disruptive behavior is impacting the physical or emotional safety of themselves, Camp Erie staff or other campers in the program, an alternative placement will be discussed and the camper may be dismissed from the camp for the session.   

The dismissal of a camper is a last resort and every effort will be made by staff to correct the behavior issue. If a participant’s behavior poses an immediate threat to themselves/others, or is causing significant disruptions to the camp, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be called and required to pick-up the camper immediately.  

DISCLAIMER: If a camper repeatedly exhibits disruptive behavior that requires constant attention from the staff, behavior that inflicts physical or emotional harm to self or others and behavior that ignores or disobeys the program expectations for acceptable behavior, a behavior report will be completed and the following guidelines will be followed:  

Disobedience

Disobedience-Minor 

Ex: not following rules, ignoring directions, hiding from counselors, etc. 

• Verbal Warning 
• Time out from activity, one minute per year of age of the camper 
• Apology to those involved if necessary 
• Staff to document incident 
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) informed at pick-up 

Disobedience-Major

Ex: refusing to leave location, refusing to comply with directions that result in a delay of programming, refusing to walk between locations, etc. 

• Verbal Warning 
• Time out from activity, one minute per year of age of the camper 
  
• Apology to those involved if necessary 
  
• Staff to document incident 
  
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) informed at pick-up 
• Behavior plan created as deemed necessary and agreed upon by parent(s)/guardian(s) and Camp Erie Directors, campers may be placed on a positive behavior plan. 

Should this occur more than twice, campers will lose the privilege to attend and participate in off-site activities; including but not limited to Field Trips. 

Verbal

Verbal-Minor 

Ex: Name calling, inappropriate words, teasing, ect 

• Verbal Warning 
• Time out from activity, one minute per year of age of the camper 
• Apology to those involved if necessary 
• Staff to document as necessary 
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) informed at pick-up 

Verbal-Major 

Ex: Swearing directly at a person, derogatory language, threats to campers, staff, or camp programming 

• Immediate removal from all camp activities under supervision of Camp Leadership 
• Apology to those involved 
• Staff to document incident  
• Immediate camper pick up and a two day suspension 

Upon return to Camp Erie Programming, campers may be placed onto a positive behavior plan as deemed necessary and agreed upon by camper, parent(s)/guardian(s), and Camp Erie Directors. 

State or county informed if deemed necessary

Physical Altercation

Physical Altercation - Minor 

Ex: licking, hitting, kicking, throwing toys etc. 

• Verbal Warning 
• Time out from activity, maximum of one minute per year of age of the camper 
• Apology to those involved if necessary 
• Staff to document incident 
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) informed at pick-up 

Physical Altercation - Major

Ex: biting, physical mark left on another camper; bullying/physical aggression towards other campers or staff; hitting or striking campers or counselors with intent to harm 

• Immediate removal from all camp activities under supervision of Camp Leadership 
• Apology to those involved 
• Staff to document incident 
• Immediate camper pick up and a 1 Day Suspension 

Upon return to Camp Erie Programming, campers may be placed onto a positive behavior plan as deemed necessary and agreed upon by camper, parent(s)/guardian(s), and Camp Erie Directors. 

Sexual Altercation

Sexual Altercation - Minor 

Ex: crawling under bathroom stalls, walking into showers while in use etc. 

• Verbal Warning 
• Apology to those involved 
  
• Staff to document incident 
  
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) informed at pick up 
  
• State or county informed if deemed necessary 
  
• Actions occurring more than once will result in immediate parent pick-up and a one day suspension 
  

Upon return to Camp Erie Programming, campers may be placed onto a positive behavior plan as deemed necessary and agreed upon by camper, parent(s)/guardian(s), and Camp Erie Directors. 

Sexual Altercation- Major 

Ex: Inappropriate Touching, flashing, and other similar actions 

• Immediate removal from all camp activities under supervision of Camp Leadership 
• Apology to those involved 
  
• Staff to document incident 
  
• Immediate camper pick up and a 2+ Day Suspension 
  

Upon return to Camp Erie Programming, campers may be placed onto a positive behavior plan as deemed necessary and agreed upon by camper, parent(s)/guardian(s), and Camp Erie Directors. 

State or county informed if deemed necessary 

Attempted Runaway  

Disclaimer: In the event of a camper running away from Camp Staff and safe program areas, Camp Staff may attempt to restrain the camper when entering a dangerous situation.  

First Attempt 

• Immediate call to parents for camper pick up and a one day suspension
• Apology to those involved   

Upon return to Camp Erie Programming, campers may be placed onto a positive behavior plan as deemed necessary and agreed upon by camper, parent(s)/guardian(s), and Camp Erie Directors. 

Second Attempt 

• 3 Day Suspension 
• Campers will no longer be able to attend camp field trips. 
  
• Meeting with camper, parent(s)/guardian(s) and camp leadership before reentry to camp 
  
  • During the meeting, a positive behavior plan will be created and agreed upon for the safety of the camper, staff, and fellow campers in programming 
    

Third Attempt 

Immediate dismissal from Camp Erie Programming for the remainder of the session.