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Difference between revisions of "Behavior As Choice Policy (AKA Because Knives)"

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Our Priorities
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:'''Contents''' [[Safety & Quality Guide]]
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As Teachers our primary concern is for the emotional and physical
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:'''Next Article''' [[Evacuation Policy|Evacuation Policy >>]]
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safety of our students. Our secondary priority is for the quality of our
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<hr />Our Trackers Behavior and Choices Policy is direct and matter of fact:<blockquote>''To stay with the Team, always act to keep fellow Trackers safe and growing.''</blockquote>
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programming, and for meeting the expectations of our participants and
 
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their families by maintaining our essential student-to-teacher ratios and
 
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providing interesting and challenging curriculum.
 
  
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We recognize that students have a variety of personal needs. Our ability to
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==== Because Knives ====
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make accommodations is based on whether those accommodations allow
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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.
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us to meet our goals and responsibilities.
 
  
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This is more than a behavioral policy. This is a process to ensure everyone
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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.
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participating in a program gets their fair share of attention and peace of
 
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mind. When any participant requires more than their fair share of attention
 
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to remain safe and connected within the program, we will implement the
 
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following processes to reestablish equity for all students.
 
  
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With any behavioral and social challenges that arise, we always practice
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===== It’s About Choice =====
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redirection and discussion of the unsafe, disruptive, or attentionimbalancing
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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.<blockquote>''And every Trackers Team has more than 1 camper.''</blockquote>
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behavior with students. In the field, there may be varied
 
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natural or logical consequences for certain behaviors; for example taking a
 
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short break from an activity because the student is not prepared to follow
 
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safety guidelines while participating, or having a talk with a teacher and
 
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friends when social difficulties happen.
 
  
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Action Level 1:
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===== We Take Direct Steps =====
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Conversation & Project Solving
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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.
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If one of the following situations persist, then we hold a three way
 
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conversation between parents, teacher and student.
 
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Ħ The student continues to take an inequitable share of attention,
 
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limiting the capacity of or teacher or staff member to provide a fair
 
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share of attention to the rest of the group.
 
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Ħ The student does not respond to redirection and continues to
 
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demonstrate problematic behaviors in a way that comprises physical
 
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and emotional safety within a group.
 
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Our goal with this conversation is to identify behavior that causes a
 
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disruption in the group, or student choices that require more than their fair
 
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share of attention. We then make an agreement with the student about the
 
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behavioral expectations we have in order for them to remain present in the
 
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program and to reestablish group equity. This conversation may include
 
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steps that we can take to help them meet expectations, as well as ways
 
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that they are going to adjust behavior so they may continue to participate.
 
  
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and understand their behavior’s impact, this immediately escalates the
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==== Fair Share Process ====
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next Action Level.
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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.
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If their behavior is deemed serious enough, Action Level 2 or 3 may be
 
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implemented at the discretion of a staff member.
 
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Action Level 2:
 
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Suspension of Participation
 
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If the student continues to take more than their fair share of attention or
 
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does not choose to meet the expectations or agreements of the previous
 
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Action Level, the student typically misses a duration of program time
 
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defined by a staff member—a suspension of participation. Upon their
 
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return, they must clearly, sincerely, and thoughtfully articulate intentions
 
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and strategies for how they will follow essential guidelines for safety and
 
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participation
 
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If a student poses a danger or threat to themselves, other participants
 
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or our staff, Parents will be asked to pick up at the site and accelerate to
 
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Action Level 2 or 3.
 
  
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Action Level 3: Expulsion
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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.
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If, after a suspension from any program, a student continues to exhibit
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choices and behaviors that would result in either Action Level 1 or 2 (see
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* '''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.
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above), the student may be expelled from the program. Depending on
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* '''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.
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behavior, they may be asked to not return to any programs.
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* '''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.
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If a student has been asked to leave all programs and is registered for a
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subsequent Trackers program, the student is denied entry to the program
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'''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.  
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and forfeits any registration fees unless given the express written
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permission from the Director or relevant parties.
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===== Respond Swiftly =====
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Guardians are required to IMMEDIATELY pick up their child at any site and youth will not return if the following applies:
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* '''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.
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* '''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.
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* '''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.
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==== How Kids Value Choices ====
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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 [[Trackers Code|for family, nature, and many generations beyond]].<hr />
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<big>'''Next Article''' [[Evacuation Policy|Evacuation Policy >>]]</big>
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[[Category:Safety & Quality Guide]]
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[[Category:Part 3: Appendix]]

Latest revision as of 11:10, 9 October 2021

Contents Safety & Quality Guide
Next Article Evacuation Policy >>

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.

Next Article Evacuation Policy >>

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