Behavior As Choice Policy (AKA Because Knives)

Contents Safety & Quality Guide

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Our Trackers Behavior and Choices Policy is direct and matter of fact:

To stay with the Team, always act to keep fellow Trackers safe and growing.

Because Knives

At Trackers, we keep our expectations high for youth because we use wood carving knives with other real tools while we journey into the wilds! Teens work by blacksmith forges at 2300° F. Kindergartners light campfires (in winter). And everyone respects the woodlands we thrive in. We trust youth to act responsibly. These things make us different than other camps.

We will not water down the deeper skills we share or the wild places we explore. We believe youth are capable of great things. We dedicate ourselves to that true potential. Nearly every kid can step up that expectation. They appreciate honesty and trust as we discuss real world results of choices they can make. With such lofty goals, there are some behaviors we cannot accommodate.

It’s About Choice

We recognize everyone makes choices personal to them. We don’t define behavior as good or bad. Choices may simply conflict with the needs of the Team.

And every Trackers Team has more than 1 camper.

We Take Direct Steps

With most behavioral conflicts, we use redirection, reminders, or conversation. We can apply natural consequences; for example, taking a short break after ignoring boundaries. If such choices persist, we begin our Fair Share Process.

Fair Share Process

Our ability to guide youth depends on how they align their contributions and needs with their Trackers Team and Village. Guides will not spend excessive time addressing one participant at the expense of other youth in the program.

This process begins when a participant makes choices that demand more than their Fair Share of attention. Please note, we immediately move to the next step if they miss commitments, are defiant, or misunderstand the outcome of their choices.

• Step #1: Commitment Participant, Guardians (Parents), and Guides agree together to contribute to the well being of the Team and village. The participant writes about their renewed commitment to respectful choices. Guardians can assist youth who are developing writing skills.
• Step #2: Homestay Youth are asked to stay-at-home for a time defined by the Guide. During which we require them to write about choices that will help them return.
• Step #3: Go Separate Ways Youth are expelled from the program, forfeiting any registration fees. Depending on the behavior, they may not return to Trackers Earth programs.

IMPORTANT Very few youths choose actions that bring them to step #3 (Go Separate Ways). It’s important to note, dangerous or obstinate behavior can skip directly to any step in the Fair Share Process. While rare, we may require Guardians to Respond Swiftly.

Respond Swiftly

Guardians are required to IMMEDIATELY pick up their child at any site and youth will not return if the following applies:

• Dangerous Behavior: Anything impairing the ability of staff, students, and families to keep each other healthy. This could include the unwillingness to stay with the team. Physical health is the priority.
• Openly Defiant: The dangerous behavior needs to be a choice, or open defiance. Accidents are forgivable and become teachable moments. Choice can be relative, defining it remains at our Guide’s discretion to keep us all safe.
• Lacking certainty of future compliance: If we're not 100% certain that, in the future, the participant/student will comply by choosing to keep everyone safe, they cannot continue in a functional way in the program.

How Kids Value Choices

At Trackers, we trust kids. Most youth uphold and exceed that confidence. Kids coming to Trackers to discover adventures rarely to find elsewhere. They value the opportunity to do something different and real. We need the active support of every youth, Guardian, and Guide to help stand up for these essential goals. With clear expectations, youth can safely play and work together as a Trackers Team while learning a timeless craft and caring for family, nature, and many generations beyond.

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