Creator Camp

CHILD SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT STATEMENT 

Creator Camp is a camp where we don't believe in classrooms where students sit down for hours copying notes from a PowerPoint. We believe in hands-on, real-world learning where kids have the creative freedom to learn at their own pace. We actively provide educational opportunities for kids in a safe learning environment that recognises and upholds the dignity and rights of all persons. We are committed to establishing a safe and supportive learning community. We will ensure that every person within the Creator Camp community who has regular contact with children or who works with children is lawfully entitled to do so. We will encourage open communication with children, parents, carers, families and staff so that all participants in our programs feel able to contribute to the safety of the children in our care. In particular we will seek opportunities to empower children to have a say and be listened to. We will actively seek to educate our staff and remain informed of best practice in child protection so as to prevent harm to our participants. When we receive information about concerns or witness any matter relating to the abuse of a child, we will respond promptly and report any such concerns to the appropriate authority. We will contact the police immediately if we have a reasonable suspicion or fear of an immediate risk of harm to any person, especially a child. Creator Camp will develop and maintain policies and procedures to prevent risks to children and build a strong culture of safeguarding.

All staff members are expected to follow these policies and procedures and contribute to the culture of care and protection of all children. We plan, organize, and review all activities with children, proactively considering potential risks and strive to ensure risks are reduced and eliminated where possible. We will build a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging all staff, parents, carers and participants to bring to our attention any issue of concern and to make suggestions as to how we may improve our practice. Anyone who brings forward a suspicion, concern, complaint or allegation of current or past mistreatment of a child to Creator Camp will be responded to sensitively, respectfully, actively and in a timely manner, in line with our lawful obligations and our own Complaints Handling Policy. We do not stand for bullying and strive to create an environment where we will encourage the kids to be themselves and celebrate each kid's unique gifts. We will regularly undertake internal and external auditing of our safeguarding policies and practices to make sure that they always support a culture and practice that puts the safety of children at the center of our thinking and action.

To raise a concern regarding child protection and safety, please contact our Camp Director, Winston Cadenas via email creatorcamps@gmail.com, or call 713-417-9025, or raise feedback at www.creatorcamp.org/feedback

February 15, 2022


Behavior Guidelines

  1. Ensure the safety of everyone and respect camp rules.
  2. Create artwork with appropriate imagery and themes.
  3. Use appropriate language and avoid profanity.
  4. Refrain from watching inappropriate, racist, violent, or sexual content on devices.
  5. No running in hallways.
  6. Stay within the defined camp area, and do not wander beyond them.
  7. Avoid making rude comments about other students' work.
  8. Do not steal or damage Creator Camp property or others' belongings.
  9. Stay engaged during class, recess, and lunch; no disruptions.
  10. Seek instructor permission before leaving the classroom.
  11. Prohibit the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, vaping, tobacco, or engage in any sexual conduct.
  12. Be kind and avoid teasing, making fun, or bullying others.
  13. No physical fighting; play fighting for films is allowed with consent.

Consequences for Violations

Our goal is to create a positive learning experience for all campers. In case of behavioral issues, we follow a four-strike policy:

  1. First Strike: We provide a gentle reminder to the camper and redirect them to more appropriate behaviors.
  2. Second Strike: We offer timeout and discuss the violation to reinforce camp rules.
  3. Third Strike: We communicate with the parents about the three strikes, and the camper's film may not be shown at our Oscar event.
  4. Fourth Strike: We communicate with the parents about the fourth strike, leading to dismissal from camp. The parent will be asked to pick up their child promptly.

Please note that camper fees are non-refundable in the event of disciplinary actions resulting in a camper's dismissal from the camp program. We prioritize the safety and well-being of all campers and staff members. Any incidents involving serious physical violence or bullying towards another camper or staff member will result in immediate dismissal from the camp program.

Last Updated: July 2023