At Heartwood, we work together to create a safe, fun, and respectful outdoor learning community. We ask families to review these shared expectations with their campers so everyone can have a positive experience.

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Respect Yourself

Campers stay comfortable and ready for adventure by dressing for the weather, bringing extra clothes, resting when needed, eating their own packed food, and drinking plenty of water.

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Respect Others

We practice kindness, inclusion, and consent. Campers welcome others into play, care for each other’s belongings and projects, and use safe, respectful touch. Everyone’s food, boundaries, and comfort levels are honored. Campers also listen to staff and follow camp guidelines so our whole community can stay safe and have fun together.

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Respect Nature

We care for the forest by observing wildlife gently, returning creatures to their homes, leaving natural treasures at the park. Campers help protect the ecosystem by staying on trails, treating plants with care, and avoid dampaging them. 

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Be Safe

Campers stay within camp boundaries, in sight or hearing of educators, move thoughtfully on trails, give dogs space, and use sticks and natural materials safely during play and building.

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Touching Policy

 

At Heartwood, we teach campers to use touch in ways that are safe, kind, and respectful.

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Touch is appropriate when it helps children feel supported or safe, such as:

• Light contact during games

• Holding hands

• A gentle, welcomed hug

• Helping someone up or offering a steadying hand

• Any “safe touch” that has clear consent and helps a child feel cared for (like a pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder)

 

Staff may also use necessary touch when providing first aid or ensuring immediate safety.

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Consent is central to all physical contact. Campers learn to:

• Ask before touching

• Wait for a “yes”

• Respect a “no” right away

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Touch is not allowed when it:

• Involves private areas of the body

• Happens without consent

• Hurts, scares, or embarrasses someone

• Is unwanted, even if it seems gentle or friendly

 

We encourage campers to speak up if a touch doesn’t feel right, and we support them in setting and respecting boundaries.

 

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Disciplinary Process for Unsafe or Disruptive Behaviors

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To keep camp safe and enjoyable for everyone, we ask all participants to follow our expectations. While we aim to support campers through this process, Heartwood may call families to pick up their camper early if a behavior creates a safety concern, and may suspend or cancel enrollment at any time, even if steps below have not been completed.

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1. Initial Conversation

If a behavior becomes a concern, educators talk with the camper to understand what’s happening and make a plan together. Families receive a verbal check‑in after class and are invited to share ideas and support behavior goals at home.

 

2. Written Notice

If the behavior continues or is serious, families receive a Behavior Communication Slip describing what happened and what was done in class to address it.

 

3. Support Plan or Program Removal

If the behavior continues, educators may create a Behavior Support Plan with clear goals and strategies. If the behavior is unsafe or significantly disruptive, the camper may be removed from the program. No refunds are issued in these cases.