2024 summer camp rules

ZEAL camp rules help ensure all campers' safety, enjoyment, and well-being.

Personal conduct

  1. Respect Everyone: Treat all campers, staff, and visitors with kindness and respect. Bullying, teasing, or exclusion will not be tolerated.
  2. Follow Instructions: Always listen to and follow the instructions given by camp leaders and staff.
  3. Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and encourage fellow campers. Complaining and negative behaviour can affect the group’s morale.
  4. No Violence: Physical violence, including hitting, kicking, or fighting, is strictly prohibited.
  5. Respect Property: Take care of camp equipment and personal belongings. Do not damage or misuse camp property.
  6. No Stealing: Do not take anything that doesn’t belong to you. Respect others' belongings.
  7. Be Creative: Express yourself and be creative. Pottery is about having fun and exploring your artistic side.
  8. Ask for Help: If you are unsure how to do something, ask the instructor for help.

Safety & Health

  1. Stay in Designated Areas: Do not wander off alone. Always stay within the camp boundaries and designated areas.
  2. No Climbing: Do not climb on trees, fences, or camp structures unless it is part of a supervised activity.
  3. No Sharing of Personal Items: Do not share personal items like snacks, bug spray, etc.
  4. Report Illness: Inform a counsellor or staff member immediately if you feel unwell or notice someone else who might be sick.

Pottery Studio-specific

Personal hygiene

  1. No Eating or Drinking in the Studio: To avoid contamination of materials, do not eat or drink in the studio.
  2. Keep Hands Clean: Wash hands before and after working with clay and other materials.
  3. Clothing: Wear old clothes and your ZEAL apron to protect your clothing from clay and glazes. Do not scratch dried clay from clothes. Instead, use a wet sponge to wipe it off.
  4. Hair Tied Back: Long hair should be tied back to keep it out of the clay.
  5. Fingernails trimmed: It’s much easier to work with clay when fingernails are trimmed. Otherwise, they can leave indents in your work.
  6. Stay Focused: Concentrate on your work and do not disturb others who are focussing.

Tools & materials

  1. Handle Work with Care: Be gentle with your own projects, and avoid touching others’ work. Respect everyone's creations.
  2. Clean Work Area: Keep your work area tidy. Clean up spills immediately and put away tools and materials after use.
  3. Use Tools Properly: Only use pottery tools for their intended purpose and with supervision. Do not use tools as toys.
  4. Limit Clay or Glaze Use: Use only the clay or glaze needed for your project. Do not waste materials.
  5. Dispose of Waste Properly: Place clay scraps in the designated recycling bin and dispose of other waste in the appropriate buckets.

Safety & Equipment

  1. No Running in the Studio: Always walk in the studio to prevent accidents.
  2. Wheel Safety: Pottery wheels are off-limits for the duration of camp.
  3. Kiln Safety: Do not touch the kiln whatsoever. It’s very fragile and can get extremely hot.
  4. No Unauthorized Use: Do not use any equipment or materials without permission from the instructor.

Valuables

  1. Keep Valuables Safe: It's best to leave valuable items (e.g., electronics) at home. The camp is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Consequences

  1. Understanding Consequences: Be aware that breaking the rules will have consequences, ranging from a verbal warning to the restricted use of the studio (e.g., sitting an activity out) or even dismissal from camp, depending on the severity of the infraction.

These rules should be clearly communicated to all campers and staff at the beginning of the camp and regularly reminded throughout the duration of the camp.