Keiki Ocean Warrior’s Summer Camp
Behavior Policy

About Keiki Ocean Warrior’s Summer Camp Behavior Policies
Hilo Ocean Adventure’s Keiki Ocean Warrior’s standard of care is that every child feels safe and secure
while engaging in fun, structured games and activities. We strive to build a child’s self-esteem, character,
and social skills while also setting reasonable, natural boundaries and consequences. We encourage selfdiscipline and require respect for others.
When behavior issues arise, we work within the camp setting, utilizing all available tools to help the
camper meet their needs. However, behavioral issues require not only camp team member intervention,
but also support and reinforcement of camp rules and boundaries from parents.
Harassment, intimidation and bullying are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Consequences for this
type of behavior is determined on a case by case basis. Early pick up, suspension, or removal from the
program can result if behavior that is not conducive to our mission cannot be rectified.
Keiki Ocean Warriors Summer Camp Behavior Policy
It is important that campers have clear boundaries and easy to understand rules. Because of this, camp
expectations are reviewed with all campers by Hilo Ocean Adventures team members each and every
morning at 8:00am.
Hilo Ocean Adventures utilizes a multi-step Behavior Policy consistently through our Summer Camp.
Should a camper need to change a behavior, our staff always start with multiple gentle, helpful verbal
corrections or redirections. These initial attempts at behavior change are always framed as positively as
possible.
It if becomes clear that these verbal redirection are not helping the camper change their behavior, Hilo
Ocean Adventures will start the official Behavior Change process.
Keiki Ocean Warriors Summer Camp Behavior Change Process
Should the camper need more correction due to additional behavioral issues, the following will take place:
1st Issue: A check (✔) is placed by the camper’s name on their daily activity sheet, which means that the
staff will touch base with a parent regarding the challenges they’re having with a Parent Connection
Phone Call. An HOA team member will call the camper’s parent to describe the challenges, and give the
parent and camper time to connect about the issues via phone. We often find that this is a very helpful
way for a camper and their parent to correct their behavior.
2nd Issue: A 2nd check is placed by the camper’s name, and the camper’s team leader will help the
camper find ways to reconnect with their team’s rules and boundaries, hopefully helping them get back on
track for the day.
3rd Issue: A 3rd check is placed by the camper’s name. An HOA team member will review the previously
discussed behavior change plan with the camper and make any needed changes or additions.
4th Issue: A 4th check is placed by the camper’s name, and a second phone call is made to the parent.
This phone call serves two purposes: 1) An additional opportunity for the parent to help the child modify
their behavior one last time, and 2) A notification to the parent that they should make preparations to have
their child picked up early should another issue arise.
5th Issue: A 5th check is placed by the camper’s name, and a parent is informed that the camper needs
to be picked up for the day. We understand picking up a child early is a hardship, but a 5th check means
immediate pickup is required and is not optional.
Additional Information on removal from camp
Early Pickup for the Day
Early Pickup happens when a camper accrues a “5th check”, but can also happen should the camper
exhibit a behavior that puts themselves, our staff or other campers in danger. Violent outbursts, hitting,
vulgar language, bullying and self injury, among other dangerous behaviors, are all grounds for immediate
early pickup, without prior warning.
Removal From Camp
Some children have needs that are beyond the scope of HOA’s staff training and environmental structure.
If we find that we are not able to properly meet a camper’s needs, or if we determine that our summer
camp is not the best environment for a camper, we may choose to remove them from camp.
While this decision could be based on the camper exhibiting multiple, unchanged behavioral issues, it
could also be because a child is not engaging well with their peers, is not ready to be away from their
primary caregiver for the entire day, has developmental needs that our staff is not equipped to meet, is
unable to adapt to our environment, or any other number of non-behavior related issues that we have
seen arise over the years.
We do not take removing a child from camp lightly, and only do so when we feel it is in the child’s best
interest, or necessary for the safety or operation of the camp. Should a camper be removed from camp,
we will discuss with the parent whether they will be invited to reenroll in future years, or if removal from
Keiki Ocean Warriors Summer Camps and activities is permanent.
Additional Behaviors that are not acceptable for
Camp
Bullying
Often, bullying is described as a repeated behavior that belittles a victim. While this could be the case,
Hilo Ocean Adventures has found that behaviors do not need to be repeated to be bullying; even a single
incident can have a devastating effect on a child. HOA has a strict anti-bullying policy. Once a bullying
behavior has been identified, if it is not corrected immediately, the camper will be removed from camp.
Hilo Ocean Adventures describes bullying as:
Bullying is unwanted behavior that places the aggressor in a position of power over the victim, or
intentionally makes the victim feel ‘less than’.
-What we do to combat bulling:
• 1) Responsibility & Education: We place responsibility for change directly on the
child who was the aggressor, but we also attempt to educate them about their actions. Children
are naturally empathetic, and we find that when we can help them empathize with their victim, we
can change their bullying behavior.
• 2) Parental Support: No parent wants to hear that their child has exhibited bullying
behaviors. However, children compartmentalize their actions; it is normal for them to act
differently in different environments. True, your child may not bully anyone at your home, but can
easily do so when attempting to integrate into a wider social setting like Summer Camp.
We ask that parents listen and engage with our staff, should we need to inform you that your child
is involved in bullying. It does not mean they are a “bad child”, but without your support, it is
unlikely that they will be motivated to change their behavior.
• 3) Environmental Success: Often bullying occurs where a vacuum in structure,
leadership or support exists. These vacuums are often created during lulls in scheduled activity
when children are left to entertain themselves, or a time when children are alone together without
adult supervision.
Because we know this, Hilo Ocean Adventures schedules activities throughout the day, and
children are always supervised. While there are a few times a day when children have “free time”,
it is highly monitored.
*There is never a time that children are alone without supervision. Even during group water
fountain/bathroom breaks, team members always have children in their field of vision.*
• 4) A Culture of Inclusion: Hilo Ocean Adventures is highly focused on creating a culture
of inclusion. We truly believe every child is unique and special, and we work every day to help all of
our campers understand, acknowledge and accept that others can be different, and that those
differences are to be celebrated, not made fun of.
Physical Aggression
Hitting/kicking/striking/pushing another camper is not acceptable behavior. We understand that
sometimes emotions can be difficult to handle, but we cannot tolerate physical aggression. We work to
encourage campers to express themselves verbally, approach camp leaders with issues they are having
with other campers, or communicate their needs to a parent. Our primary priority is camper safety, and
physical aggression puts other campers at risk. Physical aggression is grounds for removal from camp for
the day or permanently.
Inappropriate Language/Subjects
Children repeat or discuss things they hear or see on TV, from adults, at school, etc. Many of these things
are not appropriate for camp. Should a camper repeatedly use inappropriate language or discuss
inappropriate topics, they will be asked to leave camp.
Racial slurs/Derogatory language
Hilo Ocean Adventures will not tolerate racism of any kind, including racial slurs or derogatory language.
We have a zero tolerance policy, and campers who use racial slurs will be removed from camp with no
warnings.
Campers not understanding the gravity of racial slurs or derogatory language will not be an accepted
excuse. It is a family’s responsibility to teach their children the right ways to treat children of other races
and backgrounds, and Hilo Ocean Adventure’s responsibility to provide all campers with a safe place to
spend their summer.
Refusal to Comply with Requests
Safety is our absolute top priority. This means that we must trust that all campers, when asked to do or
not do something, comply with staff requests. Staff requests will never be unwarranted or without cause.
Should it become clear that a camper repeatedly fails to comply with staff requests (does not get in line
with other campers or refuses to rotate with their group from one activity to the next), they will be removed
from camp.
We Appreciate Your Support
Hilo Ocean Adventures strives to create a safe environment for all children and families enrolled in our
programs. We want every person to enjoy their time here, which requires quick, consistent action when
behavior is inappropriate or disruptive. When counselors, parents and campers all work together as a
team, we have an amazing Summer!