SAFETY & COMMUNITY STANDARDS

 

At Brave Trails, the safety, well-being, and inclusivity of our campers, staff, and families are at the core of everything we do. We are committed to fostering a safe, affirming, and joyful environment where LGBTQ+ youth can connect, grow, and lead. On this page, you’ll find detailed information about the policies, practices, and community agreements that make Brave Trails a space where everyone feels empowered and supported. If you have any questions about these practices, please reach out to a team member at info@bravetrails.org.

 
 
 

COMMUNITY AGREEMENTS

Our Community Agreements guide how we interact, care for one another, and uphold the values of Brave Trails. These guidelines are foundational to creating a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment:

  • We respect and celebrate ALL people, no exceptions. Differences in religion, politics, race, gender, attraction, ability, and more are honored here. Campers are encouraged to speak their truth, and we always listen with an open mind, even when we don’t agree. At Brave Trails, kindness is key.

  • Before touching anyone (even for things like high-fives or hugs), always ask for their permission. Keeping touch appropriate for camp is important, and we avoid things like wrestling, cuddling, or intimate hugs. Respecting each other's boundaries helps make camp a safe and comfortable place for everyone.

  • Campers should always stay in a group of three or more people (called a "truddy") when moving around camp. Two campers should never be alone together, and a staff member must always be present if campers enter cabins or buildings. This ensures safety and supervision at all times.

  • While it’s natural to form friendships or even crushes at camp, Brave Trails is a space for emotional connections, not physical ones. No PDA (Public Displays of Affection) like kissing, cuddling, or excessive hugging is allowed. We want all campers to focus on building community and growing as leaders.

  • Camp is about making friends and including everyone. If any camper feels left out of a group, it may be a sign of a clique, and we take this seriously. Always keep groups open and welcoming to all, fostering a sense of community and inclusion.

  • Brave Trails is a safe space for exploring and affirming identities. Campers and staff are encouraged to share their names and pronouns when they feel ready. To support this, everyone wears nametags with their name and pronouns. We also welcome campers and staff to try out new names and pronouns while at camp. It’s important to remember not to assume anyone’s pronouns based on their appearance or expression.

  • Everyone is learning here, and it’s okay not to know everything. We encourage campers to ask questions and to teach each other with kindness. This is a place for growth, not judgment.

  • We encourage campers to step outside their comfort zones, but they always have the right to say "no" if something feels overwhelming. At Brave Trails, we respect personal boundaries while supporting each other’s growth at a pace that feels right for everyone. Our goal is to create an environment where campers feel safe exploring new experiences they might not try elsewhere.

  • We want to leave our camp better than we found it. Campers are expected to clean up after themselves and treat the property and equipment with respect. This helps us maintain a beautiful space for everyone to enjoy.

  • We ask that campers and staff avoid sharing stories that glorify alcohol, drugs, illegal activities, or violence. It’s also important that older campers are mindful of the age and maturity levels of those around them when engaging in conversations.

  • Brave Trails is built on trust. We want campers to feel safe trying new things, exploring identity, building friendships, and expressing themselves in an affirming environment. We believe campers deserve a space where they can safely explore who they are, build confidence, and express themselves without fear of judgment or unnecessary sharing outside of camp. To support that, we ask campers and staff to respect the privacy of personal conversations and experiences shared at camp.

    This expectation of privacy does not apply to health or safety concerns. All staff are mandated reporters and are legally required to report situations involving abuse, self-harm, threats of harm, or unsafe situations.

 
 
 

ACCREDITED FOR SAFETY & EXCELLENCE

 
 

We are proudly accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). This accreditation means we meet rigorous, nationally recognized standards for safety, policies, and best practices in youth programming. From staff training to health care protocols and emergency preparedness, ACA accreditation ensures that every part of camp is designed to keep our community safe, supported, and thriving.

 

HOW WE KEEP BRAVE TRAILS SAFE

Confidential Location

Our camp’s physical address is shared only with registered families and staff, and geotagging or location sharing is strictly prohibited. To further ensure safety, we will maintain a low profile by avoiding visible Brave Trails signage or exterior decor that could identify us as an LGBTQ+ camp from any public roads or surrounding areas.

Community Screening

Every camper and staff undergoes a video screening process to ensure they are part of the LGBTQ+ community or are affirming allies. In addition, we check IDs for all folks entering the camp space.

Thorough Staff Selection

Staff are rigorously screened through interviews, background checks, and reference verification.

Comprehensive Staff Training

Our team receives extensive online and in-person training to meet the highest safety and care standards.

Collaboration with AUTHORITIES

We work with local and federal authorities to address and mitigate any threats or harmful rhetoric received via phone, email, or online.

American Camp Association Accreditation

Brave Trails meets and exceeds the highest safety and program standards in the camping industry.

PHOTOS & MEDIA MINDFULNESS

To prioritize the safety and privacy of our community, our leadership team has updated our social media strategy for the camp season. This year, we will not post photos or media to our public social media accounts until camp sessions have concluded. While this approach differs from previous years, we believe it is the best way to ensure the well-being of our campers and staff.

Additionally, we’re introducing a new tiered photo and media release system. Camper families will have the option to choose from three levels of participation:

  1. Full Media Release: Allows campers to be featured on our Brave Trails official social media platforms and website.

  2. Partial Media Release: Allows campers to have personal camp memories captured without sharing them publicly on Brave Trials socials.

  3. Opt-Out: Ensures campers are not photographed or recorded during camp.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA PRACTICES

Brave Trails' social media aims to underscore our mission of connecting LGBTQ+ youth to their communities, identity, and interests, while highlighting youth-forward, youth-focused content. Our primary emphasis is on spotlighting our programs and disseminating mission-focused opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth.

*At camp, we create a space for meaningful conversations about the complexities of our world, recognizing the nuance required to hold that space. Similarly, online, we prioritize the safety of our community above all else. Through our platform, we aim to empower campers to develop critical thinking skills, cultivate discernment, and grow as activists ready to effect meaningful change.* 

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES

Community Safety:

To prioritize the well-being of our campers and prevent harm to our community, we will:

  • Refrain from allowing homophobic and transphobic hate speech on our pages.

  • Disable comments on statements or posts that have received homophobic or hateful comments.   

  • Maintain the privacy of our camp and events addresses, sharing them exclusively with participants, families, and staff, and refraining from public posting.

Brave Trails may make statements on the following topics:

    • Promoting Bave Trails programs to encourage awareness and enrollment

    • Showcasing Brave Trails Programs to share the joy we spread

    • Showcasing Camper Voices: Occasionally, Brave Trails will highlight the voices of campers at camp. When sharing campers' projects related to activism and advocacy, we will use discernment and ensure the post caption includes disclaimers such as "Views expressed in this project are those of the camper and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of Brave Trails."

    • National & international legislation or political events directly affecting LGBTQ+ rights.

    • Major court rulings concerning LGBTQ+ issues.

    • Significant advocacy events (e.g., Pride Month, Transgender Day of Remembrance)

    • Incidents of violence or discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

    • Natural disasters or crisis disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ communities.

    • International human rights abuses targeting LGBTQ+ people.

    • Worldwide advocacy movements supporting LGBTQ+ equality.

    • Public health crises disproportionately impacting LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., HIV/AIDS awareness).

    • Mental health awareness campaigns specifically targeting LGBTQ+ issues.

    • Anniversaries of significant LGBTQ+ rights milestones.

    • Recognition of prominent LGBTQ+ figures and their contributions.

Brave Trails will NOT make statements on the following topics:

    • Broad political endorsements or condemnations not directly related to LGBTQ+ issues.

    • Statements on general elections unless they have a significant impact on LGBTQ+ rights

    • Natural disasters, wars, or political upheavals without a clear link to LGBTQ+ communities.

    • General global issues not directly impacting the LGBTQ+ population.

    • Social justice issues unrelated to LGBTQ+ rights and advocacy.

    • Non-LGBTQ+ focused movements and events.

    • Statements about internal policies or changes that do not impact our community or our mission directly.

    • Operational or administrative updates not relevant to our broader audience.

In rare cases where exceptions are needed to post on social media outside of these guidelines, this is the exception process:

  • Request: Submit any exceptions or questions to the Executive Director (jess@bravetrails.org) to ensure alignment with our mission.

  • Review: The request will be reviewed by the Executive Director and Board of Directors. Relevant staff members may be consulted as needed.

  • Decision: The Executive Director and Board of Directors will have final approval, considering staff input. The goal is to reach a compromise that reflects the best decision for the organization, rather than personal preferences.

This policy is designed to ensure that our social media presence remains aligned with our mission, supports our community, and maintains a safe and inclusive environment for all.