Seeds of Hope Behavior & Discipline Policy
Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of the behavior management of children. When children receive positive, nonviolent, and understanding interactions from adults and others, they develop good self-concepts, problem solving abilities, and self-discipline. Based on this belief of how children learn and develop values, this organization will practice the following discipline and behavior management policy.
We:
Code of Community |
We expect campers and staff to act respectfully at all times when they are participating in our programs. Campers and staff are to respect the rights and dignity of others.
Consequences and Interventions for misbehavior |
- DO praise, reward, and encourage the children
- DO reason with and set limits for the children
- DO model appropriate behavior for the children
- DO listen to the children
- DO explain things to children on their level
- DO use short supervised periods of “time-out”
- DO stay consistent in our behavior management program
- DO involve the children in the development of the “house rules”
- DO maintain consistent behavior expectations and reinforce Seeds of Hope core values
- DO guide children by setting clear, consistent, fair limits for program behavior
- DO use natural and logical consequences
- DO redirect children to a more acceptable behavior or activity
- DO use positive reinforcement, including a positive behavior recognition program
- DO make eye contact and listen when children talk about their feelings and frustrations
- DO guide children to resolve their own conflicts through the use of conflict resolution skills
- DO use effective praise that is immediate, sincere and specific
- Modify and structure the environment to attempt to prevent problems before they occur
- DO NOT spank, shake, bite, pinch, push, pull, slap, or otherwise physically punish the children
- DO NOT make fun of, yell at, threaten, make sarcastic remarks about, use profanity, or otherwise verbally abuse the children
- DO NOT shame or punish the children when bathroom accidents occur
- DO NOT deny food or rest as punishment
- DO NOT relate discipline to eating, resting, or sleeping
- DO NOT leave the children alone, unattended, or without supervision
- DO NOT place the children in locked rooms, closets, or boxes as punishment
- DO NOT allow discipline of children by children
- DO NOT criticize, make fun of, or otherwise belittle children’s parents, families, or ethnic groups
Code of Community |
We expect campers and staff to act respectfully at all times when they are participating in our programs. Campers and staff are to respect the rights and dignity of others.
Consequences and Interventions for misbehavior |
- Verbal warning
- Camper changes seat or moves away from peers
- Private discussion with camper
- Time-out
- Camper has silent lunch at a separate table as well as 10 minutes of lunch detail
- Apology letter/Behavior Contract
- Camper calls home: Keep parents informed of camper misbehavior throughout the week
- Loss of fun time/In Camp Suspension such as:
- Lose “free play” minutes
- Lose track time
- Lose Friday “fun day” time
- Volunteer staff leader calls home
- Administrator Referral: Three administrator referrals in any camp week will result in the suspension of the child for the remainder of the week at the end of the day of the third write-up. The parent/guardian is responsible for contacting the program director, Jana Elliott, to set up an appointment to discuss the child’s behavior. If the child is reinstated and then receives a fourth behavior write-up, the site director may suspend the child immediately. If necessary, the parent will be notified they need to pick up the child.
- Suspension: Serious behavior problems will result in immediate suspension from the program.
- With each out-of-camp suspension, parents or guardians will be notified prior to suspension.
- A parent/guardian conference with the camp administrator, Jana Elliott, will be held prior to suspension from the program. The conference, or notification, can be held by phone upon request of the parent/guardian.
- All disciplinary actions are cumulative for the entire program year.
- Termination: The Seeds of Hope program cannot serve children who display chronically disruptive behavior. Chronically disruptive behavior is defined as verbal or physical activity which may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Behavior that requires constant attention from the staff to the point of compromising the safety or enjoyment of other campers,
- Behavior that inflicts physical or emotional harm on other children or self,
- Behavior that abuses the staff and/or ignores or disobeys the rules.
Bullying Policy
Bullying is inexcusable and will not be tolerated. Each program participant and staff member is expected to treat all other participants with respect, and to help each other achieve the best possible experience. If a participant has difficulty meeting this expectation, parents/guardians may be called upon to assist. Our leadership takes all incidents of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication amongst themselves and the participants in their charge. We work together as a team to ensure that participants gain self-confidence, make new friends, and go home with a positive program experience.
Alternative Discipline Plan
Serious Offenses |
There are specific behaviors that require an alternative discipline plan be followed due to the type of offense and potential threat to the well-being of Seeds of Hope participants and staff. These offenses and their consequences are addressed below:
Fighting/Physical Assault: Seeds of Hope participants shall not cause or attempt to cause physical or bodily harm to any other participant or staff member at any time while participating in a Seeds of Hope sponsored activity or when the participant’s behavior has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline and protecting the safety and welfare of campers and staff. Consequences may include up to 10 days out of camp suspension with possibility of long term program suspension. Law enforcement will be contacted based on the severity of the offense.
Disrespect or Aggressive Behavior to others: Participants shall respect other persons by utilizing appropriate language and behaviors at all times. Any action which is insulting, physically aggressive, abusive, harassing, profane, obscene, or seriously disrespectful and which disrupts the enjoyment and learning environment or which demeans or degrades another person is specifically prohibited. In addition, any act of retaliation against an individual for reporting insulting, abusive, or harassing actions is expressly prohibited. Consequences may include up to 10 days out of camp suspension with possibility of long term program suspension.
Bus/Van Misbehavior: At all times while riding in vehicle or Heroes Helping Heroes-owned or operated vehicle, participants shall observe the directives of the vehicle driver and/or vehicle safety monitor. The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in revocation of transportation privileges provided by Heroes Helping Heroes: delaying the bus schedule; fighting, smoking, using profanity or refusing to obey the driver’s instructions; tampering with or willfully damaging the vehicle; getting off at an unauthorized stop; distracting the driver’s attention by participating in disruptive behavior while the vehicle is in operation; throwing objects from the vehicle; failing to observe and obey safety regulations; willfully trespassing on a Heroes Helping Heroes-owned or operated vehicle; or violating any other Code of Conduct rule while on the vehicle. Consequences may include expulsion from the van/bus or camp based upon the severity of the offense.
Prohibition of the Use of Portable Electronic Devices by ALL Participants: Use of any Portable Electronic Device, including but not limited to cellular phones, digital cameras, and IPODs, during the mentor or camp day is strictly prohibited. No participant shall use, display, transmit or have in the “on” position any wireless communication device or personal entertainment device during the camp day. Participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are solely responsible for any loss or damage to their portable radio, tape recorders, tape/CD/DVD players, cell phone or any other similar electronic equipment while it is in their care, custody or control. Heroes Helping Heroes accepts no responsibility for theft, loss or damage to a camper’s personal electronic equipment. Consequences include: 1st Offense ---Warning. Camper may pick up the device at the end of the day; 2nd Offense---Warning. Parent must pick up the device at the end of the day, 3rd Offense—In Camp Suspension (loss of fun time) and parent must pick up device at the end of the day . Any subsequent infractions will result in confiscation of the electronic device and/or loss of a camp privilege. Out of Camp Suspension may ultimately be required. The decision will be made at the discretion of the camp director.
There are specific behaviors that require an alternative discipline plan be followed due to the type of offense and potential threat to the well-being of Seeds of Hope participants and staff. These offenses and their consequences are addressed below:
Fighting/Physical Assault: Seeds of Hope participants shall not cause or attempt to cause physical or bodily harm to any other participant or staff member at any time while participating in a Seeds of Hope sponsored activity or when the participant’s behavior has a direct and immediate effect on maintaining order and discipline and protecting the safety and welfare of campers and staff. Consequences may include up to 10 days out of camp suspension with possibility of long term program suspension. Law enforcement will be contacted based on the severity of the offense.
Disrespect or Aggressive Behavior to others: Participants shall respect other persons by utilizing appropriate language and behaviors at all times. Any action which is insulting, physically aggressive, abusive, harassing, profane, obscene, or seriously disrespectful and which disrupts the enjoyment and learning environment or which demeans or degrades another person is specifically prohibited. In addition, any act of retaliation against an individual for reporting insulting, abusive, or harassing actions is expressly prohibited. Consequences may include up to 10 days out of camp suspension with possibility of long term program suspension.
Bus/Van Misbehavior: At all times while riding in vehicle or Heroes Helping Heroes-owned or operated vehicle, participants shall observe the directives of the vehicle driver and/or vehicle safety monitor. The following conduct is specifically prohibited and may result in revocation of transportation privileges provided by Heroes Helping Heroes: delaying the bus schedule; fighting, smoking, using profanity or refusing to obey the driver’s instructions; tampering with or willfully damaging the vehicle; getting off at an unauthorized stop; distracting the driver’s attention by participating in disruptive behavior while the vehicle is in operation; throwing objects from the vehicle; failing to observe and obey safety regulations; willfully trespassing on a Heroes Helping Heroes-owned or operated vehicle; or violating any other Code of Conduct rule while on the vehicle. Consequences may include expulsion from the van/bus or camp based upon the severity of the offense.
Prohibition of the Use of Portable Electronic Devices by ALL Participants: Use of any Portable Electronic Device, including but not limited to cellular phones, digital cameras, and IPODs, during the mentor or camp day is strictly prohibited. No participant shall use, display, transmit or have in the “on” position any wireless communication device or personal entertainment device during the camp day. Participants and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are solely responsible for any loss or damage to their portable radio, tape recorders, tape/CD/DVD players, cell phone or any other similar electronic equipment while it is in their care, custody or control. Heroes Helping Heroes accepts no responsibility for theft, loss or damage to a camper’s personal electronic equipment. Consequences include: 1st Offense ---Warning. Camper may pick up the device at the end of the day; 2nd Offense---Warning. Parent must pick up the device at the end of the day, 3rd Offense—In Camp Suspension (loss of fun time) and parent must pick up device at the end of the day . Any subsequent infractions will result in confiscation of the electronic device and/or loss of a camp privilege. Out of Camp Suspension may ultimately be required. The decision will be made at the discretion of the camp director.
Additional Notes of Importance
Participants and staff shall conduct their personal and social relationships according to acceptable community standards. Inappropriate public displays of affection, as determined by the camp director, will not be allowed.
Mandatory Reporting to Law Enforcement of Certain Offenses |
All Seeds of Hope staff must report immediately to law enforcement agencies the following acts:
1. Assault resulting in serious bodily injury or involving use of a weapon
2. Rape
3. Sexual assault or sexual offense
4. Assault on school personnel
5. False report concerning destructive devices (bomb threat)
6. Kidnapping
7. Indecent liberties with a minor
8. Possession of a firearm or powerful explosive
9. Possession of a weapon
10. Possession of a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage
11. Death
12. Burning of a school building
13. Making a bomb threat or engaging in a bomb hoax
Appropriate Use of Physical Restraint/Seclusion/Time-Out |
The two goals that these administrative procedures enforce, only after less intrusive methods have been attempted or considered are:
1. To administer a physical restraint only when needed to protect a camper or member of the program community from imminent, serious physical harm: and,
2. To prevent or minimize any harm to the participant as the result of the use of physical restraint.
Mandatory Reporting to Law Enforcement of Certain Offenses |
All Seeds of Hope staff must report immediately to law enforcement agencies the following acts:
1. Assault resulting in serious bodily injury or involving use of a weapon
2. Rape
3. Sexual assault or sexual offense
4. Assault on school personnel
5. False report concerning destructive devices (bomb threat)
6. Kidnapping
7. Indecent liberties with a minor
8. Possession of a firearm or powerful explosive
9. Possession of a weapon
10. Possession of a controlled substance or alcoholic beverage
11. Death
12. Burning of a school building
13. Making a bomb threat or engaging in a bomb hoax
Appropriate Use of Physical Restraint/Seclusion/Time-Out |
The two goals that these administrative procedures enforce, only after less intrusive methods have been attempted or considered are:
1. To administer a physical restraint only when needed to protect a camper or member of the program community from imminent, serious physical harm: and,
2. To prevent or minimize any harm to the participant as the result of the use of physical restraint.