Policy and Practices

Church camping sets out to provide an experience of the Christian community where campers are valued as creations of God and helped to understand and appreciate their worth, their relationship to God and to other persons, and to the whole created order.

In order to facilitate this vision, it is important for camping ministries to activate the most qualified, motivated and committed staff persons available. Our staff needs to be persons whose faith, lifestyle and dreams reflect a commitment to responsible Christian living and who have established a pattern of willful sharing and growth within the community of faith.

Therefore, the camps of NC United Methodist Camp And Retreat MinistriesN, Inc desire the following characteristics for all staff members:

1. An individual who desires to be actively involved in Christian ministry to God's people.
2. A person whose Christian faith is a guiding force in his/her everyday life and who is willing to share that faith with campers and staff.
3. A person who has an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of God's creation, and practices a lifestyle of care and compassion for the common good of persons and creation.
4. A person who can work effectively in a team situation and has basic skills which enable him/her to do this in a loving and caring way; a person who can lead and follow as a member of an exciting team of community facilitators.
5. A person who is physically, emotionally and spiritually willing and able to support camp program that is a full residential program which requires focus and attention 24 hours per day.

NC United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc acknowledges the substantial contribution of staff to the health of its ministries, and in turn seeks to make employment both professionally and personally rewarding. The Board of Directors is committed to promoting a work environment characterized by dignity, courtesy and respect. There should be opportunity for participation, challenge, broadening of experience, advancement, and supporting relationships.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
North Carolina United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries, Inc. believes that belief in God and Jesus Christ is a bona fide occupational qualification for the employees and applicants of its camps. It is preferable, but not required, for employees and applicants to agree with the tenets of the United Methodist Church.

Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center seeks to provide equal opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Equal opportunities include, but are not limited to, recruitment, selection, promotion, salary, benefits, transfers, layoffs, and termination.

Work Standards
All employees of NC United Methodist Camp And Retreat Mnistries, Inc are expected to maintain high standards of productivity, cooperation, attendance, effectiveness, efficiency, and economy in their work. Careful and safe use of camp property and equipment is expected as an expression of personal responsibility and good stewardship of resources. If work performance, behavior, attendance and/or productivity of an employee falls below expected standards, the supervisor should point out the deficiencies with counseling and warning in sufficient time for improvement before formal action is taken, but nothing can or will prevent immediate formal action, up to and including termination, without prior warning or intermediate measures when it is deemed by management to be in the best interest of the camping program.

Conduct of Employees
Alcohol and Illegal Drug Abuse: 

"We affirm our long-standing support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and redeeming love for persons. We support abstinence from the use of any illegal drugs. Since the use of alcohol and illegal drugs is a major factor in crime, disease, death, and family dysfunction, we support educational programs encouraging abstinence from such use." Book of Discipline 72

Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs at any time while on duty, on the camp premises or in the close vicinity of the camp community is strictly prohibited.

In keeping with camp policy and in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina, staff members under 21 years of age may not purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages. Failure to abide by this policy may result in immediate dismissal.

Staff members who are 21 years of age and older will use their discretion in the personal matter of the use of alcoholic beverages during their scheduled time-off away from camp. All staff 21 years of age and older share in the responsibility of influencing younger staff by word, example and action to abide by all aspects of their contracts. The violation of any laws with respect to alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, overly boisterous or disturbing behavior, speeding or careless and reckless driving, etc. would not be responsible or acceptable and would be grounds for dismissal. Purchasing and/or providing alcohol or illegal drugs for anyone under 21 years of age is a violation of the law and is grounds for dismissal.

Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center's expectation is that all staff's behavior on time-off should be personally disciplined with discretion and integrity in order to do nothing which would call into question their abilities to serve a positive models for young people or create an unfavorable impression on the caliber of Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center's personnel. Upon returning from time-off staff immediately resume an "on the job" status.

Tobacco Use:
Smoking and the use of tobacco products are practices, which endangers the health of the users and those around them. It has been and continues to be the policy of Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center that smoking and the use of tobacco products in front of campers or any guest is prohibited. Smoking areas and times are to be determined by the Director.

Therefore let it be known that smoking is not permitted in the following areas at any time:

Inside any building
Inside or on any Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center vehicle or vessel
Within 150 feet of any gasoline, fuel, or paint storage area.
Smoking is limited to open and naturally ventilated areas. All ash and butts should be deposited in proper containers and not on the ground.

Sexual Conduct
Human Sexuality Policy:

"We recognize that sexuality is God's gift to all persons. We believe persons may be fully human only when that gift is acknowledged and affirmed by themselves, the church, and society. We call all persons to the disciplined, responsible fulfillment of themselves, others and society in the stewardship of this gift".
Book of Discipline 71F

Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are only clearly affirmed in the marriage bond. Sex may become exploitive within as well as outside marriage. "We reject all sexual expressions which damage or destroy the humanity God has given us as birthright, and we affirm only that sexual expression which enhances that same humanity, in the midst of diverse opinion as to what constitutes that enhancement." Book of Discipline 71F

Staff members are morally and legally prohibited from relating to campers and center guests romantically or sexually. This means that at no time may any staff member enter into a relationship with any camper or guest who might be interpreted as romantic or sexual. Failure to abide by this policy may result in immediate dismissal and in legal action as required.

Staff members have an obligation of personal discipline in regards to their relationship with each other and with others outside the staff community. We encourage discretion and integrity in all actions within personal relationships. Relationships among staff members are at many times important and natural parts of our community. Those relationships should not interfere with the performance of assigned duties, the atmosphere of the camp community, or the general purposes and philosophy of the program. Healthy relationships with each other, with the world and with God are what our program is all about.

Public displays of affection should be limited and discreet. Sexual relations are discouraged for relationships outside the bond of marriage, therefore, unmarried staff members should certainly not engage in sexual relations while on duty, on the camp premises, or the close vicinity of the camp community. We strongly encourage not engaging in sexual relations prior to marriage. The North Carolina United Methodist Commission on Outdoor Ministries, Inc expectation is that staff behavior on time-off should be personally disciplined with discretion and integrity in order to do nothing which would call into question their ability to serve as positive models for young people or create an unfavorable impression on the caliber of the camp's personnel.

Sexual Harassment Policy
Definition:
 The North Carolina United Methodist Commission on Outdoor and Camping Ministries, Inc policy deplores sexual harassment. Sexual harassment consists of any unwelcome or unwanted sexual advance, request for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is offensive to employees, when such conduct is a condition of employment, is the basis of an employment decision, has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an environment. Sexual Harassment will not be tolerated.

Procedure: Complaints of sexual harassment may be brought to the Camp Director or to the Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, or the Chairperson of the Board of Directors. Charges will be investigated fairly to the extent possible confidentiality will be respected and reserved, and the appropriate sanctions will be imposed to prevent such activity.

Payment of Salary: Salaries will be paid every two weeks (Direct Deposit only). Money will be available at midnight Thursday for Friday payday. You will be able to obtain money from local ATM machines. Pay stubs will be placed in your mailbox prior to payday. The camp will advance no money unless an emergency situation arises. (Death in the family, etc.) The Camp Director must approve this. Final paychecks may be withheld until all reports, records, equipment or debts have been turned in or cleared.

Other Remuneration: The Camp shall provide for the room and board of each summer staff member.

Tips/Gratuities: No staff member may accept gifts, tips or gratuities from parents. They may accept contributions to be placed in the general "offering" of the ministry.

Transportation: Each staff member is expected to provide his/her own transportation to and from Don Lee Center.

Termination of Agreement: Employment agreement may be terminated when:
1. The employee and employer agree that for their own best interest, or the best interests of Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center, the employment shall be terminated.
2. Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center is temporarily shut down due to fire, epidemic, accident, etc.
3. The employee fails to comply with the terms of the agreement. Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center also reserves the right to relieve the employee of duty at once in the case of gross misconduct.

Resignations: Employees should give a minimum of ten days notice. During the time between notice and actually leaving, the worker should do all in his/her power to protect the interests of Don Lee Center by leaving his/her work in good shape and by assisting in paving the way for his/her successor. Salary of employee shall be pro-rated. Summer staff bonus will not be paid for anyone not completing his or her agreed work dates.

Emergency Leave: In the event of death in the family or urgent business, unpaid leave shall be granted in relation to the individual circumstances at the discretion of the Center Director not to exceed five days.

Health Examination: Employment is contingent upon a medical examination showing evidence of good health and freedom from physical defects that would interfere with performance of duty. Should there be any question of physical fitness on the part of the employee, Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center reserves the right to require at any time during the employment, a health examination by the physician or clinic of Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center's choice at the expense of the Center.

Hospitalization and Medical Care: Don Lee Center carries State Worker's Compensation Insurance .

Social Security: This is deducted from all paychecks; therefore, all employees must have a Social Security number.

Automobiles: Staff may bring automobiles to Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center if the auto is fully insured. Automobiles must be parked in designated areas and may be used only during time off.

Preparation: Staff members will prepare themselves for the positions by reading and studying all provided materials prior to coming to Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center and are expected to be active participants in all orientation and training events.

Time Off: Time away from duty will be granted to each employee every week. Time off will be arranged between the employee and the Camp Director.

Pets: No pets may be brought to Don Lee Center. This includes dogs, cats, rabbits, and all creatures "kept."

Leaving Camp: Staff members may leave Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center only on regular time off or on Center business as directed by the Center Director.

Deployment of Staff: Because of the unique nature of Camps and Retreat Centers and their operation, it may, from time to time, become necessary to deploy staff members across job description lines. The staff members are expected to share in those tasks for which he/she may be deployed so that the total operation of Don Lee Camp & Retreat Center may proceed smoothly.

Staff Visitors: Staff persons are not allowed to have visitor during duty hours and without the permission of the Center Director. Visitors must not interfere with the staff persons performing his/her duty or with the Center program. All visitors for meals are expected to pay $7 for their breakfast, $8 for their lunch or their dinner. This should be collected in advance by their host and turned in to the Director or the Office Manager. Visitor reservations should be made in advance.

Outside Communication:
Staff mailing address is:
 315 Camp Don Lee Rd, Arapahoe, NC 28510
Staff members will not have general access to camp computers unless it is job related. If you need to compute, bring your own. There is a wireless system available in the Environmental Education building for staff members to use with their own equipment.

Phone messages for you will be collected by the Office Manager and placed in your mailbox. You can instruct those who may be calling that they can leave you a message in the "general message" section of the voice mail system. You will not be able to be called to the phone. You will need to return calls to your callers. Phone use is an off-duty activity.

You may bring your personal cell phone. There is good cell service in the area. Phone calls of any nature are not for times when you should be doing your job. Phone use is an off-duty activity.