Employee Code of Conduct

Camp Deerpark is a Christian ministry and community of service dedicated to following Christ, representing him and emulating him in all relationships, and serving others under his leadership and
authority. To this end, all employees agree in love, grace, and truth to support each other and hold each
other accountable to the following code of conduct in their personal and professional behavior:

All Employees

1. We agree to set Jesus Christ and his teachings as the standard for our personal, professional, and
   ministry conduct and to hold ourselves and each other accountable to that standard. We agree to
   support each other in exploration and growth of this aspiration. We agree to be confronted with
   love and support when our life and example does not meet this standard and will submit to
   restorative action under the guidance of appropriate authority when necessary.
2. We agree to act with love towards all people at Camp and connected to Camp – seeking the best
   for them and serving them for their good to the best of our ability, showing respect, dignity,
   fairness and courtesy.
3. We agree to put others above ourselves, not seeking self-advancement at the cost of others, by not
   being greedy, and by not being insubordinate. We will make our needs known as a community
   and seek fair and just ways to care for each other and sacrifice together to serve the youth,
   families, and churches impacted by this ministry.
4. We agree to show mutual respect to each other, recognizing each one as fully human and fully
   loved by God. We will respect authority and roles, recognizing people appointed with power to
   serve by our community and God. We will accept and learn about each person’s culture, life
   story, and background and honor their journey without discrimination or superiority. We will not
   engage in overt or covert racism, sexism, classism, or ageism and will work to seek God’s
   restorative justice where these sins may be present in our lives and community. We will not
   participate in harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, shaming, or disrespect and will
   confront and hold accountable those who do.
5. We agree to use clear, straight forward, and kind speech. We agree not to lie or mislead, but to
   resolve confusion and follow through with our statements and commitments. We agree not to use
   manipulating tactics or language, but to speak truth and hear others.
6. We agree to resolve conflict through the standards of Christian community, resolving
   interpersonal issues first privately, then, when necessary, involving the support of others and
   leaders. We agree to non-violence and restorative justice in all conflicts, and will use peace-building strategies.
7. We agree not to covet the resources of Camp and the property and possessions of others. We will
   not steal, seek inurement, embezzle funds, or arrange undue or unfair benefits for ourselves and
   others.
8. We will honor God and each other in our speech, practicing honesty while avoiding unnecessary
   or unhelpful criticism. We agree to avoid degrading, derogatory, defamatory or hateful speech
   and cursing and the use of foul language and swearing. We will not participate in gossip or
   slander, but will represent others how we would want to be represented and encourage others to
   tell their own story.
9. We agree to pursue Christian ideals of pure living, honoring our bodies and the bodies of others
   as wonderful creations and the Temples of the Living God. We agree to avoid substance abuse
   including, but not limited to: illegal drugs, cannabis products containing THC, and the abuse of
   alcohol. We agree to uphold sexual ethics of marriage and celibacy for all non-married persons.
10. We agree to pursue excellence in service to others in all aspects of our work as individuals and as
    a community. To this end, we commit ourselves to humility and a willingness to always learn
    and support each other in growth and improvement.
    

Supervisors, Directors, and Leaders

In addition to the above and due to their leadership role, supervisors, directors, and leaders (including
Summer Camp Counselors) agree to:

1. We agree to empower and support the discipleship to Jesus of those we lead, working towards
   their growth, encouraging accountability, and providing resources according to Christian faith.
   Most importantly, we agree to set an example in our speech and conduct of discipleship to Jesus,
   Christian living, and service to others.
2. We agree to use our power and influence to serve and care for those we lead. We agree not to
   abuse our power by bullying, showing favoritism, or using others to benefit ourselves at their
   expense. We agree to maintain proper personal, relational, and professional boundaries to
   prevent abuse, impropriety, harassment, confusion, and conflict.
3. We agree to lead our areas of responsibility as stewards of the entire Camp Community, seeking
   the common good of all involved without competition or selfishness, and sacrificing and serving
   for the benefit of others in the example of Christ with gladness and peace.
4. We agree to work to protect Camp from unreasonable risk and loss including conforming to best
   practices to maintain compliance with the law, our non-profit status, and the relationship we have
   with have our constituents, neighbors, and vendors.
   

Executives and Administrators

In addition to the above and due to their leadership role, executives and administrators agree to:

1. We agree to guide Camp as a ministry and community of Jesus followers according to the
   Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective and the direction and vision of the Mennonite Churches of New York City as expressed by the Board of Directors and the NYC Mennonite Council of Churches.
2. We agree to lead Camp in unity and integrity in the broader Anabaptist movement and Mennonite
   church.

Discipline and Breach of Code of Conduct

1. We agree to be a grace-based community, reliant on the power of God to overcome human sin
   and weakness and humbly seeking the restoration and sanctification of all people. We will hold
   each other accountable to this Code of Conduct with the intention of supporting each other’s
   growth and discipleship to Jesus. Discipline will be, whenever possible, structure to grow and
   become who we are meant to be and as a better reflection of Jesus.
2. Repeated or egregious breaches of the the Code of Conduct will be grounds for discipline by
   supervisors, the Administration, or Board of Directors including possible termination and loss of
   benefits including loss of license for employee housing. While the definition and corrective action
   will be determined by supervisors, the Administration, or the Board of Directors, parties accused
   of breach of Code of Conduct who disagree with discipline may use the employee Grievance
   Policy and process to address the issue.

Policy Type: Board
Adopted: 3/29/25