The Activ8 Camp Code of Behaviour aims to promote positive behaviour among all children in our care. The ethos of the Camp will be based upon the principle of ‘Respect’.

Our Code of Behaviour aims to help each child to:

When being redirected or sanctioned, it shall not damage the child’s self-image or cause embarrassment for the child. When possible the child shall contribute to resolving the conflict with which he/she was involved. Our Camp will have a restorative approach to the promotion of positive behaviour.
The following factors shall contribute to the promotion of positive behaviour:

Modelling by Adults

Camp Leaders behaviour largely sets the pace and mood of the Camp. Leaders shall demonstrate a calm and gentle approach with the children.

Redirection

Leaders shall be attuned to typical signals coming from children that indicate pending misbehaviour and wherever possible offer alternatives to misbehaviour by redirecting children. When misbehaviour occurs a leader will make clear statements describing the undesired behaviour in a calm manner. This discussion will take place in private and away from other children. Children will be encouraged to draw conclusions for how they could make better decisions in the future. If a resolution cannot be reached or the undesired behaviour persists, the leader will bring the issue to the attention of the Camp Manager who will manage the problem to avoid disruption to the leader’s activity.

Setting Clear Limits

The Manager of the Camp will address the children each morning and describe the activities planned for the day while also reminding the children of the Camp rules. There are three rules on the Camp:

Development of Children’s Self-Image

Leaders will reinforce our high expectations for their behaviour and use praise wherever possible to enhance positive behaviour on the Camp and to bolster self-esteem.
In order for children to learn from their mistakes and to maintain positive relationships with children in our care, leaders will:

• Talk to the child, not at the child.
• Treat the situation as privately as possible.
• Be at the child’s level.
• Keep a calm and firm voice.
• Communicate to the child that it was the behaviour that was unacceptable, not the child  himself/herself.
• Communicate to the child that he/she has the confidence that the child will be able to do better  the next time.

In order to enhance the children’s respect for themselves and others, leaders will:

• Praise and acknowledge good behaviour
• Listen openly and carefully to every child
• Treat all children with respect
• Foster a warm and trusting environment in the Camp
• Become familiar with each child’s personal characteristics and temperament

Prohibited Punishments

Children shall not be subjected to the following treatment:

• Physical punishment of any kind.
• Verbal abuse including using threats and derogatory remarks.
• Sarcasm to ‘put down’ a child.
• Withholding or forcing meals and snacks.

Children will have the opportunity to:

• Change negative behaviours
• Make positive choices

Failure to improve behaviour and repeated incidences will result in:

• Leader recording and informing Manager of concerns and issues.
• Manager meeting with and informing parents of the problems.
• Manager putting into place behaviour plan to promote better behaviour with consultation and approval of parents.

If the behaviour persists, to ensure that the wellbeing of the other children in the Camp is considered, the Camp Manager will use his/her discretion to:

• Limit attendance to specific activities.
• Limit the time that the child attends Camp daily.
• Prohibit the child to attend ‘Away Days’.
• Suspend the attendance of the child from Camp for a specific period.

Steps for dealing with misbehaviour

• Leader observes and highlights misbehaviour and guides the child to make better choices the next time.
• Leader talks privately with the child and explains that they need to change behaviour and detail how it affects the other children in their group.
• If behaviour persists over period of time, Leader records behaviour and reports to Manager. Manager informs parents of behaviour and talks to child with parents.
• Behaviour plan is put in place from Manager.
• Manager uses their discretion to sanction the child further as outlined previously in the policy.

Please note:

If at any stage the Manager is concerned about the wellbeing of a child or the affect that their behaviour is having on those around them, they may use their judgement to call for parents to collect them from Camp even when a child is attending an ‘Away Day’. This is to ensure that the wellbeing and protection of all children is upheld.