Camp Chi’s Community Care & Inclusion
Over the past 99 years, Camp Chi has continually grown and flourished. Starting as an all-girls camp in Antioch, Illinois, Camp Chi, now located in Lake Delton, Wi is the bustling home away from home for hundreds of campers each year. As we have grown, so has the scope of how we care for our community. In the past, we have shared with you about the care we provide for our campers, the support systems we put in place for them, and how we train our staff to provide the care to make each camper successful. For our staff we prepare digital resources, bring in expert trainers, provide visual schedules, and much more. We call these practices Camper Care and Staff Care. Last summer we were poised to introduce a new model of Community Care, blending the two realms together under the direction of our Community Care Supervisor. As part of the Community Care launch, we were also prepared to share our expanded plans for inclusion at Camp Chi. We have been nationally recognized for our partnership with Keshet, who work with us to support campers of all abilities. For us, inclusion has a broader definition. It is about making sure each camper and staff member, regardless of ability, has what they need to have a safe and successful camp experience, while feeling supported and welcomed. Since we were unable to roll this out last summer, we are eager to introduce our new model of community care, and we are thrilled to kick it off by sharing our updated statement of inclusion with you.
JCC Camp Chi Inclusion Statement
JCC Camp Chi strives to create an inclusive and safe community for everyone regardless of abilities, gender, sex, sexual orientation and/or expression, race, religion, or any other status protected by law. We ensure privacy and confidentiality in accordance with applicable state, local and federal privacy laws. Camp Chi representatives will not disclose any information pertaining to an individual’s personal, private status, including medical information unless critical to that person’s care, legally required to do so or the camper, camper’s legal guardian or staff member has authorized such disclosure.
All campers have the right to discuss and express themselves openly and to decide when, with whom and how much to share of their private information. Staff members may not discuss confidential camper information shared with them with campers or other staff unless it is a member of the Senior Management Team (Full-Time Staff, Head Nurse, Mental Health Professional, Village Leader, etc.). Staff members may discuss their own personal matters with other staff, including the Senior Management Team, but should keep conversations regarding their personal life professional and appropriate when speaking with campers.
JCC Camp Chi embraces the values of kavod (respect), chesed (kindness), and kehillah (community). We stand for respect, treating all people with kindness, and embracing the diversity of our community. We will support campers and staff that disclose any information and work to ensure that all are safe and embraced in our community. JCC Camp Chi is a safe place where people of all colors, genders, and religious backgrounds are accepted and welcomed into the community. We recognize that each camper and staff member has different needs and abilities, and agree to work with each individual to create accommodations and modifications to help them become successful at JCC Camp Chi.
In specific regards to gender, JCC Camp Chi is a gendered experience. Camp asks campers and staff member to identify a gender for living and personal hygiene purposes. Camp Chi will work with campers, their guardians and staff members who identify as gender non-conforming for the best housing and living options that exist within our current model. Camp Chi agrees to discuss alternatives with campers and staff who share, regardless of reason, that they are uncomfortable using a shared gender-segregated facility that is safe and non-stigmatizing. Under no circumstances will campers or staff be required to use a separate facility because they identify as gender non-conforming.
JCC Camp Chi will address campers and staff by the names and pronouns they choose. Unless directed otherwise by the camper, parent or guardian, camp representatives will use the camper’s legal name and corresponding pronoun assigned at birth when contacting their family.
JCC Camp Chi encourages all campers, their parents or guardians, and staff members who want to disclose or discuss any personal, private information or medical information with the Full-Time staff reach out at any point before, during or after the summer experience.
For the past 100 years we have grown and developed, establishing a welcoming community that continues to help everyone be the best they can be. Over the course of the year, we will share regular updates on how we are continuing to grow and provide care and support for our campers and staff in the realm of Community Care.