Bingle Camp Staff Policy

We are excited about the excellent staff that God has led to us for this camping season and as a member of the Bingle Camp Staff, you will be playing a key role in ministering to both children and families during the time you are at Bingle Camp. We have found it helpful to establish policy to serve as “common ground” for Camp life because you each possess different personalities, lifestyles and expectations. It is important that each staff member understands and agrees to abide by these guidelines before coming to camp. Please read through these carefully; a violation of policy guidelines may be grounds for termination.

Staff are representatives of Bingle Camp at all times on and off Camp property. You are expected to conduct yourself in such a manner as to project a positive image of Bingle Camp to the public. This is accomplished by preserving and upholding the Christian character and by portraying a positive reputation and image of the camp, both as a group and as individuals. Bingle Camp exists in a small community and an incident may exist in the mind of the community for years. We ask that you observe:
Modesty in dress, swimwear, and accessories. No gauges larger than 1/4. New tattoos and piercings are a health issue for our summer staff. Many of the activities we have at camp involve getting into the waters of Harding Lake. Harding Lake is a fairly clean lake, but infections still happen. By choosing to get a new tattoo or piercing during the summer you open the door to getting an infection that could prevent you from doing your job. We are not taking a theological stand about tattoos and piercings. You are welcome to have healed tattoos and piercings prior to employment with Bingle Camp.

Use appropriate language in the presence of campers.

Abstain from gambling, sex and the use of all alcohol and illegal drugs.
Use of tobacco products is forbidden in the presence of campers and is not allowed in any of the buildings. Should tobacco use be an issue for you, the only appropriate place on Bingle Camp property is the area known as the gravel pit.

Romans 13: 13-14 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. ASB

All Program staff will attend all Chapel times on schedule, any exceptions will be arranged with Program Director. Facility staff members are encouraged to at least participate in one daily chapel time.

We recognize that close relationships will form during summer. In many ways that can be healthy. Over the years we have learned that dating relationships that form in the summer can negatively affect Bingle Camp’s ministry impact, and often cause disunity amongst our staff. Our hope is that prospective staff will have a heart to pour their life into the children and youth that are here this summer. Should a romantic interest kindle this summer, we simply ask that our staff to wait until summer is over to pursue that relationship. We also ask our summer staff to “contribute to staff unity by pursuing and developing only those relationships that are above reproach and inclusive in nature.” Staff members may not under any circumstance date campers or pathfinders.

Issues of sexual harassment must be reported immediately to the Program Director.
Any acts of aggression or verbal insults directed towards a staff member or a camper is grounds for immediate termination.

The housing at Bingle Camp is adequate, but not a resort. You will be living in close quarters with other staff members. You are responsible keeping your personal area clean and in order. We expect you to respect each other’s space. There is limited locked space on camp premises for valuables, often personal items have been broken and/or lost. Bingle Camp discourages you from bringing anything of value or importance to camp. Therefore we assume no responsibility in replacing a personal staff item.

Meals are provided for staff while campers are in camp and staff are expected to eat with campers. The cook will mark food available for staff. Staff are expected to clean up after themselves on the weekends, which includes Knox Retreat Center. Dishes from the Knox Retreat Center need to stay in that facility, as well as the Lodge’s dishes in the Lodge. Personal food items may be stored in the Retreat Center refrigerator, (there is very limited storage space in the lodge). No food maybe stored in cabins. Any items not for general consumption should be clearly marked!

The vehicles are to be used for transportation of camp goods, campers and may be used on days off for staff activities, but not for personal use. Only designated staff may drive Bingle Camp vehicles, they must drive responsibly, observe all speed limits and laws of the road and require all passengers to wear seat belts prior to vehicle being in motion.

Camp vehicles may never be used to visit bars, to purchase or transport alcohol, or be driven while under in influence of alcohol or drugs. Violation of the aforementioned behaviors is grounds for immediate termination.

Staff may use the camp’s sailboats, canoes and paddleboat during personal time if it does not interfere with program use. Only designated staff may drive the Bingle Camp Bayliner.

Any person using watercraft will always wear PFDs and take whistles to use to signal for help.

Staff will engage in legal fishing only, which means purchasing a fishing license. Harding Lake is closed to “pike” fishing including catch and release. In Alaska, violation of this law is a misdemeanor. Persons caught fishing illegally can have their gear, including watercraft confiscated as well as face a serious fine.

The camp does at times have a TV and video equipment. Staff are permitted to use it on weekends until midnight. Please use good judgment, and remember that you are in a Christian setting and often in the presence of under 18 staff members, when choosing movies to view at camp. Abuse of the VCR will result in loss of privilege for the group. The camp vehicles are not to be used solely to return videos.

Music creates and adds to atmosphere. We are responsible for creating a Christian environment; therefore music played at Camp should further enhance the program. Campers are not allowed to bring CD players, gameboys and other electronic devices. Therefore, any music played in the presence of campers will be from the Christian community. We encourage you to bring your Christian CD’s to share. Staff are not permitted to use personal music devices such as Ipods or MP3 players at any time when campers are present.

When Guest Groups are present, the guest group has preference over music played on the Camp Grounds since the area is theirs while they are renting the facility.

Bingle Camp realizes the importance of maintaining relationships at home; we encourage you to develop a support system that can encourage you while you are ministering this summer. The Camp currently only has one line for phone, fax and Internet service. The primary use of the phone is for camp business. The Camps’ phone has a long-distance block. Staff are expected to use phone cards for long-distance calls. See the Camp Director for emergency calls or camp business calls.

Internet usage may be available during free times or days off for communication with friends and family. Extended use of the Internet is not permitted. Try to be sensitive; you will all have calls to make, email to retrieve. Use common courtesy. No downloading of materials is allowed. Inappropriate use of the Internet may be grounds for termination. Personal computer equipment is to be used only on designated staff days off.

Each staff member is covered by workers compensation insurance. Injuries should be reported to the Camp Host immediately, since those that are reported after the summer camp season are not covered under insurance. If injury is work related, notify the office and request a worker’s compensation form. Injured individuals are required to complete and return the form to the office. Bingle Camp Ministries Insurance covers staff accidents, not illnesses.

In Conclusion

Much of living together peacefully simply involves being courteous and concerned for the well being of each other.

John 13: 34-35 “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Please consider what might attribute to possible irritations; be aware of your body’s needs. Consider that due to the nature of your responsibilities you will sometimes get tired and irritated. Only you can make the adjustments required for you. Let’s all work together to bring conflicts about in a peaceful resolution.

By signing this agreement, I have accepted the policies set forth and are aware that violation of policy may result in termination of employment with Bingle Camp Ministries. Furthermore, termination will result in my being responsible for fees incurred because of travel plans.

Bingle Camp Staff Policy in .pdf format

Bingle Camp Ministries' Policy and Procedures on Sexual Propriety and Child Abuse