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Dear Parents,

Over the years our caring staff have worked hard to bring us to the leading edge of Christian camping. We continue to strive for excellence in programs that are exciting and safe. We provide our carefully chosen staff with intensive training in leadership and safety. We are committed to excellence and integrity in every part of our program. We are accredited with the BC Camping Association and Christian Camping International. Gary Pryzner

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Staff Training

Leadership Staff train and prepare for 5 weeks, followed by a 3 week Leadership Training Camp. Seeds work through a shorter training program. Being on camp staff is demanding and we expect a high level of commitment from our staff. We have a strong team training dynamic based on relationship which provides the basis for much of our work with campers and cabin groups. We desire success for each camper, and provide training in many areas including:

• caring for camper needs
• behaviour management
  
• appropriate discipline
• dealing with homesickness
  
• anger management
• dealing with bullying
  
• risk management
• communication techniques
  
• challenge by choice in skills
• free choice in spiritual learning

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Trail Ride Training

Trail Rides normally uses shorter term staff, and therefore they have seen a need to provide a training program that is specific to each week of camp. Some of the training will be done by mail/email, and some the day prior to starting each camp, while the remainder is accomplished during the camping week. Areas of training are similar to those offered at the main camp, with the exception of not needing to learn about skills or water activities more specific to Moberly Lake.

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Staff Selelction Process

Applicants must follow the following selection process prior to becoming staff at either Trail Rides or Moberly Lake or in our Wilderness Adventure Trips. Cabin Leaders must have graduated from grade 12 (or age equivalent). Leadership staff are generally 20 or older. Staff are required to relate well to children and youth and should show a desire to be involved in a self-giving ministry. They must demonstrate a high level of responsibility and integrity. Required Steps within the Application Process:

1. Submission of a completed Camp Sagitawa Application.
2. Submission of at least 2 adult references (prefer 3).
3. Personal interview with the applicant.
4. Prayerful consideration of each application.
5. Proof of having no prior criminal convictions or arrests with respect to children.
6. Acceptance to our Leadership Training Camp.
7. Successful completion of this training.

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Criminal Record Clearance

All applicants (Staff, Seed, Colt) are required to apply to the RCMP for a Criminal Record Clearance. We are most concerned about convictions or arrests that relate to child abuse. We recognize that these screens do not prove innocence or guilt, and entirely miss individuals who have not yet been arrested. For this reason we also rely on personal references for information in this area.

How does a criminal record check work? Record searches return either of two results.

• "No record exists!" - conclusive and requires no further search.
• "A record may or may not exist!" - a record has been found for someone of a similar name and birthdate. Proof of identity requires a comparison of fingerprints.

Matching prints would produce a copy of the criminal record. In the case of a young offfender, the copy is mailed only to the individual. This applicant may choose to forward it to us. Sagitawa will not accept a staff member who would choose not to forward it. Our concern is that maximum care be provided, and that we give no opportunity for campers to be abused in any way.

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Cabin Supervision

A cabin leader stays in each cabin group with the campers. The SEED assistant normally does not, except where directed to do so by the Wellness Director. Cabin Leaders teach, lead, supervise and play with campers. Open activities are also under supervision. We desire a competent level of supervision, which at a practical level means that there should never be a stretch longer that 10 minutes. Daily events are scheduled so that a complete attendance of campers is taken 9 or 10 times a day. Campers may not be aware that staff take attendance during during meals, skills, chapel, discovery, etc. If a camper is missing, the procedure is to inform one of the directors. Our goal is a maximum cabin leader to camper ratio of 1:8. Lower ratios occur on overnight out-trips, during daily activities, on SWAT trips, and in our Trail Ride camps.

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Behaviour Management

Managing behaviour is a positive approach to discipline with a preventative objective. The idea is to provide good activities and teach positive responses so that campers learn to avoid inappropriate behaviour. Example: learn how talk about what we feel rather than just strike back to get even. Staff are taught to recognize potential problem situations early and to help campers learn how to redirect. On the first day, two activities work towards managing behaviour. The first is a clear understanding of camp expectations and behaviour. The second is a Team Development Activity ending in a cabin debriefing that models talking about how our interactions with cabinmates in the activity made us feel.

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Discipline

Our goal is to help campers modify their own behaviour. This means that we may we may need to alter our response to campers in similar situation. Note these examples of two campers who were trying to hurt another camper.

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Cabin Life

Though our camps are co-ed, the living units are not. Male leaders stay with the guy cabins and female leaders with the girls. They provide care and supervision for about 8 male and female campers respectively. These leaders work hard to help campers have a positive experience away from home. We value the trust relationship that Sagitawa has with parents, since it helps us provide a quality camp experience while keeping lines of communication open. If you have other questions related to what its like to live in a cabin at camp, please contact the camp office.

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Cabin Sharing Policies

We allow up to 3 friends to ask to be together in the same cabin. We value good friendships and believe that campers coming with friends often have a great week. Note the following...

• We often discourage large groups of friends asking to bunk together so that we don't end up with a situation where the large group tends to ignore 1 or 2 two others campers. In such cases we may contact the parents and ask how to best split the larger group into two.
• Campers in a special Track cannot bunk with campers in the Classic Track. The schedules are different. Friends who take different tracks can request to be in the same table group.
• Please help us put your camper with the friends you request by ensuring the name(s) are on the registration form. Cabins groups are usually formed 2-3 days before the first day of camp. Changes made after campers begin settling in are usually not fair to other campers.

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Encouraging New Friendships

Camp is an excellent place to build new friendships. Some of our activities are done as cabin groups, while others are done as teams or by camper choice. Campers who do not end up in the same cabin, may end up eating together or taking skills, swimming and playing together. This type of schedule also fosters the development of new friendships.

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Average Day at Moberly

During the summer we take advantage of the daylight by adjusting the schedule so that campers stay up an hour later and sleep in an hour longer each morning. So after camp, you may find them a bit off the normal schedule. But camp tends to do this to a person anyway... there are just too many fun things to do. Generally speaking, activities are 60-90 minutes in length. Regular change helps maintain interest for a healthy experience. The Track schedules will be similar but will switch Discovery time with one of the skill blocks.

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Average Day at Trail Rides

We are outdoors 24-7, even sleeping in teepees and cooking meals over the fire. Our days begin fairly early and end at a reasonable hour. The first few nights tend to be late due to all the excitement of being back at camp, but by days 4/5, everyone seems to be glad to go to sleep. NOTE: Riding groups are switched around as much as possible to provide interaction on the ride with each of the other tepees.

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Average Day on SWAT

SWAT camp schedules are more relaxed than those at Moberly. Some camps have to pack up and move to another site each day, while others will return to their base camp each day. Schedules therefore vary from camp to camp. An average day will include:

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Our Tuck Shop

We have Tuck Shops at Trail Rides and at Moberly Lake. Campers may purchase confectionary items, t-shirts, Bibles, crafts and a few souvenirs. At times we may also carry postage stamps, toothbrushes and a few other items. All items sold in our Tuck Shop are optional. We set a limit on how much junk food may be purchased in one day.

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Crafts at Sagitawa

Camp and crafts have gone hand in hand for many years. At Sagitawa, we try to provide a variety of options. Which of the following would interest you? Paint a plaque or a picture, make something in leatherwork, make a beeswax candle, design a hemp bracelet or necklace, card embossing, or making a special window hanging. We vary our crafts from time to time and craft prices reflect the cost only.

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Easy Ways to Register

Space is reserved by registering in advance, and a minimum deposit must accompany the registration form. Please choose from one of the options below. Payment:
We accept cheques, Visa, MC, and cash. Cheques must be mailed or hand delivered. Credit card information may be phoned, faxed or mailed. Do not mail cash. We also have a secure web form for registering now. You may pay the minimum deposit or the full amount up-front. For some camps, $10 is discounted for those making a full payment prior to May 1. Registration Form:
The registration form is available online, by mail, by fax and at various locations within your community. The on-line form may be accessed by looking for the camp of your choice in the Program section of this web-site.

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Registration Deadline: Moberly Lake or SWAT Trips

We accept 96 campers per session at Moberly, and about 12-16 on SWAT Trips. Registering early can guarantee a reserved space. We have no actual deadline, but some camps fill up by May 1 while others do not fill up until the week prior to camp. Our office policy is to respond to each registration as it comes in. Acceptance is shown by receipt, and if a camp is full, we will phone immediately. If you are still concerned about a camp being full, please call.

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Registration Deadline: Trail Rides

Trail Ride camps tend to fill up quickly since we accept only 25 campers per camp. Generally you should register before May 1 to assure acceptance. But do not assume that camps are full until after the session starts.

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Registration Deadline: Off Season

Off-season camps do not usually fill up completely. But we encourage you not to delay too long as we prefer to have a general count on who is coming about 7 days prior to the camp start date. This helps us finalize staffing, set up cabins and purchase food.

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Cancellation Policy

This policy may only be waived in extenuating circumstances.

• Cancellation 2 weeks or more prior to the start of camp - 50% of the deposit and all other fees are returned.
• Cancellation within 2 weeks of the camp - the whole deposit is kept.
• Cancellation after first day of camp - deposit and the remainder of fees is kept.
• An additional fee will be charged when transferring fees to other campers.

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Sponsorships

Our Sponsorship Program is designed to assist those who would otherwise be unable to attend, with payment of registration fees or a portion of them. To apply for sponsorship, please follow these steps.

• Request a sponsorship form from the camp office.
• Fill it out and return it to the camp office.
• The form is kept confidential, and is processed case by case.
• Once processed, the applicant will be notified of the amount of sponsorship available.

Sponsorships have helped many families and individuals to enjoy and benefit from attending weekend retreats, special programs and summer camps. This is made possible only through the generous gifts from individuals and groups who wish to make a difference in someone's life.