CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT

We know that you share our belief that Summerstock is a great place to strengthen a teen’s sense of responsibility and personal code of ethics. We expect your children to understand that they are accountable for their actions and to accept the consequences for inappropriate behaviors. There is zero tolerance of the following:

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• Bringing into Summerstock or using illegal drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or vapes

• Leaving campgrounds without supervision or permission

• Sexual activity

• Entering the cabin of the opposite sex without permission

• Bullying

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Summerstock is a bully-free community. Physical, emotional, or verbal abuse of any member of the community will be addressed immediately. Bullying and other forms of hazing or harassment (pranks, stealing, destroying or defacing property, name-calling, teasing, spreading rumors, or icing out cast members or staff) will not be tolerated. These Participation Expectations extend to the year-round use of social media. Profiles, pictures, and messages on social networking sites need to be bully-free zones and devoid of inappropriate content. Anyone violating these expectations will be dismissed or not be welcomed back.

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Protocol & Procedures

There will be occasional conflicts between students, but abusive/bullying behavior will be addressed and documented. In consultation with the Summerstock Director, Administrator, and Artistic Director, staff use training, judgment and counseling skills to determine if an incident is a serious breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct. All serious incidents will be reported to and documented by the Summerstock Director (SD).

The following is from Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center:

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Conflict vs Bullying: What’s the Difference?

Bullying is different from conflict:

● Conflict is a disagreement or argument in which both sides express their views.

● Bullying is negative behavior directed by someone exerting power and control over another person.

In normal conflict, children self-monitor their behavior. They read cues to know if lines are crossed, and then modify their behavior in response. Children guided by empathy usually realize they have hurt someone and will want to stop their negative behavior. On the other hand, children intending to cause harm and whose behavior goes beyond normal conflict will continue their behavior even when they know it's hurting someone.

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Bullying is done with a goal to hurt, harm, or humiliate. With bullying, there is often a power imbalance between those involved, with power defined as elevated social status, being physically larger, or as part of a group against an individual. Students who bully perceive their target as vulnerable in some way and often find satisfaction in harming them.

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Initial Response Action

Those involved will be separated. If bullying is suspected, campers will be asked to give a detailed description of the incident to at least two staff members.

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1. If a staff member did not witness the incident, but others did, they will be asked to give a detailed description of what was witnessed with another staff member present.

2. An incident report will be filed with the Director, and the Administrator will notify the parents of those involved.

3. Please protocol with repercussions below for Physical and Emotional, verbal, bullying, hazing, and harassment.

ANY FIRST TIME INCIDENT OF A CHILD PUTTING HANDS ON ANOTHER CHILD WILL RESULT IN THE PARENT/GUARDIAN(S) BEING NOTIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR TO PICK UP THEIR CHILD.

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Incident: Physical

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1st offense:

Summerstock Director notifies the Administrator and the parent/guardian(s) are called. The camper will be sent home and suspended from Summerstock participation for one (1) day.

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2nd offense:

Summerstock Director notifies the parent/guardian(s) and the child is sent home. Child is suspended from participation in the program.

Incident: Emotional, verbal, bullying, hazing, harassment

1st offense:

Camper sits out the remainder of the day. Administrator will notify parent/guardian(s) of the incident and advise the parent/guardian of the protocol should there be a 2nd and 3rd offense.

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2nd offense:

The Administrator will notify the camper’s parent/guardian(s) of the incident, and will advise the parent/guardian of the protocol should there be a 3rd offense. The camper will be sent home and suspended for a minimum of one day of camp.

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3rd offense:

The Director will notify parent/guardian(s) of the incident, and the camper will be sent home and suspended from participation in the program.