Camp Philosophy
At Hidden Bay Leadership Camp, we believe:
- Campers should have a physically and emotionally safe and fun outdoor environment where they can experience a wide variety of activities.
- Campers should have the opportunity to learn new crafts, sports, games, water sports, nature studies, leadership skills and team spirit.
- All camp activities should have the outcomes of having fun and developing CRRCC.
- Each camper is unique and differs greatly in their interests, abilities and cultural backgrounds, and that these differences should be respected and honoured.
- Each camper matures physically, mentally, emotionally and socially at different rates of speed and that each camper deserves to have programming that works for their own rate of development.
- Campers should be given the opportunity to develop confidence in themselves so they can grow as distinct individuals.
- Camp should have a space where campers can feel that they are understood and appreciated for who they are and what they accomplish.
- Camp should be a welcoming and inclusive environment for campers of all backgrounds.
What makes us Different?
At Hidden Bay we run things a little bit differently, we focus as much on the development of leadership skills as we do on having a great time. This means that how we deal with camper situations and behaviours, goal setting, and community expectations are all a bit different from everyone else.
- We provide a “CRRC3” environment, one that supports Courteous, Respectful, Responsible, Confident and Caring behaviour.
- We encourage campers to set goals as a daily habit. It may be to reach the next level in swimming or simply to make a new friend; it is all about picturing what you want to accomplish and the person you want to become.
- We develop character and leadership through a daily focus on a specific character attribute, and how it impacts on daily activities and contributes to becoming a good leader.
- We ask questions instead of telling campers what to do in order to help them take responsibility for their actions. For example, instead of saying, “You know you are not to take Bobby’s book”, we would ask, “Were you being respectful to Bobby? What could you do differently next time?”
- We implement the Future Aces program as it promotes taking responsibility for and respecting who you are, what you do, and how your behaviour affects others.
Inclusion at Hidden Bay
We believe that camp is for everyone. Our program is built in a way that is welcoming to a majority of our campers.
We have found that campers that have the best success at camp are able to:
- Live with campers in a cabin that are of a similar age and can safely and cooperatively take part in scheduled group activities, free time and all-camp activities with their cabin mates and the camp community
- Exhibit behaviour that is in line with the Hidden Bay leadership values of CRRC3, courtesy, respect, responsibility, confidence, care and compassion and does not require beyond the attention provided by our established camp ratios.
- Be responsible for their own personal hygiene, health and safety or be able to ask for assistance from a staff member to assist in these areas.
- Walk moderate distances over uneven surfaces that are part of Hidden Bay’s natural surroundings.
- Understand and respond to group instructions
- Join in on activities, such as: signing, games, campfires, leadership activities, family-style meals, and other camp activities.
- Contribute to the Hidden Bay community
If you have questions about inclusion at camp, please contact our camp director.