Staff appearances

[rockinsmiles]

So I'm wondering what is your camp's policies for staff appearance? I know it's kind of a strange question but just curious!

[Dave]

As in hair and stuff like that, or uniforms? If you're talking about hair and stuff like that, we shouldn't have huge afros or anything. :P No piercing either. If we do have piercings, we have to take them out at camp. Girls can't wear bikinis either.

[camper]

you have to take out piercings other than ears (i know someone will probably say that's wrong, but hey, it's not me, it's my camp's thing and people usually don't have a problem with it) and you can't alter your appearance at all while at camp...no new piercings, tatoos, or hair dye. and of course, we're a uniform camp so you have to wear the uniform.

[Skater Bubbles]

-Have to cover up tatoos, can't dye your hair while at camp (there were exceptions to this last summer- I dyed my hair almost every color imaginable each week last summer- my campers loved it!!)

[Kerrbear]

No bikinis, guys have to keep their shirts on unless at the pool... that's about it. We have to be tasteful though and appropriate. We have staffwear that we can wear whenever we want, but we have to on the first and last days of camp and when we have special visitors.

[Flukie]

Oh man. We're so lax compared to other camps apparently. :) We do ask that staff cover up tattoos when possible (and definitely don't flaunt them). We ask that new piercing be kept to a minimum and run by the director prior to it occuring - you don't HAVE to ask her, but it is nice to let her know and get her feedback. The same goes for dying hair. We had two staff go blue and purple last summer - our director did know. This summer, it will be asked that changes be done on the weekends BETWEEN camper groups so that your kids aren't all giddy about what you did - they think it's been that way for awhile. (Except the ones that show up each week! :))

Though our staff that did get pierced, tattooed and dyed this summer have asked if I think the guidelines will be changed cause of them this summer. :) I can't answer that! Lol.

[daisy]

no piercings other than ears, boys hair must be above the collar and ears, no dying hair unnatural colors, girls must wear one piece bathing suits, tattoos must be covered, shirts must be tucked in and no denim until after dinner, closed toed shoes or sandals with a back (chacos, tevas) until after dinner or at the lake... i think thats the majority of it

[Indigo]

We allow piercings and tattoos, any hair color, bikinis, etc... We do require closed toed and heeled shoes, no inappropriate words/pictures on clothing, things like that... It's fairly lax, but the things that are restricted are pretty common-sense.

[speedx5xracer]

Well first of all the biggest thing we have is that the look you are hired with (piercings/tatoos/hair) is what you are held to all summer. No dramatic alterations of the body or hair while working. and tatoos must be tastefull or covered at all times.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that if a parent would not like it or have a problem so would I... I try to let my staff be themselfs>

[collissimon]

I think ours is pretty relaxed as well. We are allowed to dye our hair, have piercings and tattoos.

We're not supposed to wear 'Daisy Duke shorts' which I think is little hotpants (not that they'd be very flattering on me in the first place ;) ) and girls are supposed to wear one-pieces at the waterfront. I think that's about it!

[rockinsmiles]

We are allowed to have piercings, tatoos, color hair, etc. Rather we came with them to camp or not. However we have to hide offensive/inappropriate tatoos and piercings. And we cant wear "dangly" earings except on time off. Wouldnt want them pulled out! Ouch! Hair is really relaxed though...it has NEVER came up as far as I know. And i think if we are going to get anything done the time we only have to do it is in on the weekends. We didnt have many piercings this summer but we did have a few ppl go get tatoos. Clothing is pretty much like all camps. No shirts advertising drugs, sex, beer, cigerates, etc. One piece swim suits for the staff, no short shorts, guys have to get their shirts on unless at the pool, no thin strapped tank tops or halter tops, and stuff like that. We also have to wear closed toed shoes at all times except for Thursday night (the last night) and Friday (when the campers go home) and at the pool and canoes. However at canoes the sandles have to have an ankle strap. We also arent suppose to wear cut offs. But if our shorts are kind of frayed thats ok...and holes in our pants as long as not too many and as long as they arent exposing anything are fine. kind of wierd i think.

[Flukie]

Good point, Indigo. We also have a very similar dress code to your camp. Staff need to be "properly dressed". At the waterfront, they need to wear one piece bathing suits OR coverups at all times. In the units, they need to wear shorts of reasonable length and t-shirts with appropriate "messages" on them.

[CIT386]

I think that my camp is like all of the rest. The only thing that I don't like is shoes!

[who_stole_my_loofa]

We have shoe rules- must have a manufactured backstrap for anytime outside of the cabin.

Tatoos need to be covered on opening and closing days. Piercings need to be out and opening and closing day except ears. The only facial piercing you can have during camp is a nose ring. No new tatoos or piercings.

Hair color should be consistent throughout the summer and natural colors are prefered (if you're highlights grown out you can get them touched up on your day off though if you have time.. who does??) They also don't care if you cut your hair as long as it's on your time off.

As for clothes- we can pretty much wear anything we want as long as our personal areas are covered. At waterfront girls can wear bikinis. In the dining hall no wet swimsuits and you must have on tops and bottoms. Shoes need to be worn not carried. And on Shabbat shoulders and preferably knees need to be covered. These rules apply to campers and staff alike.

Loofa

[KiwiCRB]

We are just told to "dress appropriatley" as far as clothes go.... i've never seen anyone where anything around campers that would be unappropriate. All shirts MUST have sleeves though, no tank tops of any sort. I think piercings are alright as long as they are tasteful. I don't remember anything about hair dying, no one did it so it was never an issue. Shoes have to be closed toe and closed heel, pretty much tennis shoes any time you are out of your sleeping area. Other than that as long as it doesn't interfere with the program or campers i think it is OK.

[audur]

We don't have very many rules at all. Pretty much, we just have to wear appropriate clothing. Girls can wear bikinis on the waterfront, tank tops are allowed. We do have to wear shoes with a back at all times, though, except in the shower or the cabin. You can pretty much have any hair colour you want, tattoos are okay as long as they're not inappropriate, and piercings are fine (although I'm not quite sure about face piercings other than nose cause I can't remember anyone ever having one during camp - but I think they'd be okay).

[campCardinal]

Look presentable. No innapproprate messages on shirts. One piece bathing suits. It's not too hard to follow. Certain hikes require long pants. Certain activities require shoes and long shorts. But really, ours is pretty lax. Also, opening and closing day wear the staff shirt and be "clean."

[who_stole_my_loofa]

you know wahts weird is that they get mad about cursing and like alcohol/drug shirts. but were allowed to wear beer shirts if the writing is in hebrew lol

[EchoLaker]

We have policies on appropriate logos and themes on t-shirts, they must be camp appropriate; so no Corona logos etc.

Piercings are limited to one pair of studs - in terms of other jewelery; a bracelet, one ring and a watch.

Swimming - no Speedo's trunks for the guys, but not denim shorts - for the girls, one-piece swim suits.

General appearance; must be clean, and smoothly shaven. Hair shouldn't be outrageous or unkempt.

Must wear staff shirt at all times (except Swim) from Wake Up to Shower (before Evening Line-Up), and on all evening outings with Campers (eg Senior Sign Out [Movie Theater] or Glens Falls Golden Eagles [Baseball]).

Should wear white to "Friday Night Services".

Should wear sneakers around camp - except for when on sand volleyball pit, and when visiting the pool, at which times Tevas are more appropriate.

Can't think of anything else.

[prettysocks]

Wow.... People's camps are crazy!

Nothing was ever said about hair colour, piercings, or tattoos (because those things don't matter, ever, for any reason). Shirts obviously have to be appropriate (but lots of campers wear beer shirts, and there isn't much we can do about that). For bathing suits, it doesn't matter what kind you wear, but all females have to wear a tshirt over top (because most campers are allergic to the latex in bathing suits) & (we also have to wear socks or sandals in the pool because the bottom of the pool eats your feet). Shoes must have a backstrap, being it closed toed shoes with a heel, or 3 strap sandals (no flipflops - ever).

For my camp, most of this stuff is common sense. Lifting campers from a bed to a wheelchair, or showering campers is a stupid idea if you're wearing flipflops because you'll slip. Wearing a low cut shirt for girls, while dressing a male camper.. is also kind of stupid. It's all common sense!

Camp is all about having fun and finding your true self. If camp counsellors can show individuality, then by all means! Censoring anything at camp is near pointless, because it's not sensored in the 'real world'. Camp is a fun place, and being a fun role model is your job.

I understand how some religions are against piercings and body mod, etc.. and I don't mean to demean that. This isn't meant to be an insult towards any religion.

Just my thoughts!

[CAMPFRIEND]

Wow.... People's camps are crazy!

Nothing was ever said about hair colour, piercings, or tattoos (because those things don't matter, ever, for any reason). Shirts obviously have to be appropriate (but lots of campers wear beer shirts, and there isn't much we can do about that). For bathing suits, it doesn't matter what kind you wear, but all females have to wear a tshirt over top (because most campers are allergic to the latex in bathing suits) & (we also have to wear socks or sandals in the pool because the bottom of the pool eats your feet). Shoes must have a backstrap, being it closed toed shoes with a heel, or 3 strap sandals (no flipflops - ever).

For my camp, most of this stuff is common sense. Lifting campers from a bed to a wheelchair, or showering campers is a stupid idea if you're wearing flipflops because you'll slip. Wearing a low cut shirt for girls, while dressing a male camper.. is also kind of stupid. It's all common sense!

Camp is all about having fun and finding your true self. If camp counsellors can show individuality, then by all means! Censoring anything at camp is near pointless, because it's not sensored in the 'real world'. Camp is a fun place, and being a fun role model is your job.

I understand how some religions are against piercings and body mod, etc.. and I don't mean to demean that. This isn't meant to be an insult towards any religion.

Just my thoughts!

What Kind of camp do you work for?

[prettysocks]

I work for an Easter Seals camp, which is a camp for kids with physical (and many mental) disabilities. The vast majority of campers use walkers, crutches, manual chairs, electric chairs, AFO's, and other braces. It's a totally accessible camp, including: pool, sledge hockey, high ropes course (wheelchair access via lift), and TONS more. We do everything from shower to transfer to changing/bathroom routines to feeding. It's amazing and I love it.

Why do you ask?

[CAMPFRIEND]

That is so cool. It take a lot to work at a camp like that. It's somthin that I wanted to do but never got the chance.