Our Approach
Avid4 staff uses the positive techniques of guidance, including:
- Logical or natural consequences applied in problem situations
- Redirection of children to more acceptable behavior
- Anticipation of and elimination of potential problems
- Encouragement of appropriate behavior rather than comparison, competition or criticism
- Prosocial behavior such as cooperation, helping, taking turns, and constructive verbal communication to solve problems.
We establish consistent and clear rules and staff members encourage the children to solve problems and prefer mediation over imposing a solution. They help children to recognize and respect each other’s feelings. Our ultimate goal is to help campers internalize these values and become more self-directed in their behavior.
When Additional Support is Needed
We recognize that some campers may need extra support in managing their behavior. When challenges arise, Avid4 will take reasonable steps to work with parents/guardians and Camp Leadership to correct any disciplinary issues as they are identified.
When needed, we may create a support plan with input from the camper, their family, and staff to proactively address situations that may be challenging. This plan could include:
- Tools such as safety/code words to use with staff
- Supervised breaks from activities, if needed
- Regular check-ins with camp leadership and/or families
- Agreed-upon strategies and consequences tailored to the camper’s needs
Our goal is always to support and to help campers develop internal tools for handling challenging situations. That said, meaningful consequences are sometimes necessary to help reinforce boundaries and ensure a safe and successful experience for everyone. In some cases, this may include a camper needing to go home.
When Behavior Poses a Safety Concern
While we strive to support all campers through behavioral challenges, safety is our top priority — for every child and staff member.
Avid4 has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, physical aggression, or behavior that intentionally causes emotional or physical harm to others. This includes (but is not limited to) hitting, kicking, biting, threatening, targeted exclusion, repeated verbal harassment, or the use of harmful language (including slurs or identity-based insults).
If a camper engages in physical violence with the perceived intent to harm another camper, their camp day will end immediately. Instructors will contact the Camp Director to create an appropriate response plan. This may include:
- The camper being picked up by a parent/guardian from the site or activity location
- The camper being removed from the group and supervised for the remainder of the day
Camp Directors (or instructors, if needed) will contact families of any camper involved as soon as possible, including those who were harmed or impacted by the behavior.
In rare cases where a camper’s behavior continues to pose a physical or emotional risk to others — and reasonable support strategies are no longer effective — Avid4 may decide to dismiss the camper from the program. This decision will always follow a conversation with the family and be documented in a written incident report.
We are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive environment where all campers can thrive.
Additional Support Resources
If your camper has an existing Individualized Support Plan (ISP) or may require additional support, please let us know by requesting to be contacted by our Camper Inclusion Specialist when completing your registration in Active, or by reaching out directly to our Customer Support team. Our goal is to work with families proactively to ensure every camper has the tools and support they need to succeed at camp.
Avid4 will provide access to an early childhood mental health consultant or other specialist as needed. If additional outside resources are required, staff or parents may contact the following organizations:
- CO: Mental Health Partners to request services at (303) 443-8500
- CA: Children’s Health Council at (650) 326-5530
- OR: Trillium Family Services at (888) 295-6996
- WA: Bellevue Behavioral Health Child & Family Services (Sea Mar) (425) 460-7125