The CYJ Camper Promise

Welcome to Camp Young Judaea - Texas! We're so excited you're here to have fun, make friends, and grow as part of our kehilla (camp community). To help everyone have the best summer ever, we have a few rules — really, they're just ways to be kind, safe, and awesome together. To ensure a positive environment for everyone, we require all campers and parents to review and agree to the following CYJ Code of Conduct. We suggest reviewing it together, so that both you and your camper understand our expectations.

💙 The CYJ Way (The "Do's")

1. Join the Fun! Jump in and try everything — sports, arts, songs, and silly games! Even if it's new or feels different, give it a shot.

2. Be a Good Friend. Include everyone, be kind, and cheer others on. Invite others to join your fun. Camp feels best when we lift each other up and make sure no one feels left out.

3. Stay with your group. Always let a counselor know if you need to go somewhere (bathroom, nurse, etc.).

4. Listen to Your Counselors. They're here to keep you safe and make sure everyone has fun. If they ask you to do something, follow directions right away — even if it's not your favorite thing.

5. Take Care of Camp. Keep your bunk clean, use the camp's things carefully, and treat camp property like it's your home. If you break or damage something on purpose, your family may need to help fix or replace it.

6. Respect Privacy. Everyone deserves their own space. Only go into your assigned cabin and bathrooms, and always knock before entering. Beds and cubbies are personal spaces — only use something from another's cubby if they say it's OK.

7. Celebrate Jewish Life. CYJ brings together people from all kinds of Jewish backgrounds. At community moments — like singing Birkat Hamazon or joining Shabbat services — everyone participates together.

🚫 Not OK at Camp (The "Don'ts")

We take safety and respect very seriously. The things below are never allowed.

❗ Zero-Tolerance Rules (You'll Go Home Right Away)

Weapons or Dangerous Stuff: No knives, fireworks, lighters, or anything that could hurt someone.

Drugs, Alcohol, or Vaping: These have no place at camp. Bringing or using them means going home immediately.

Dangerous or Sexually Explicit Behavior: We take camper safety — both emotionally and physically — very seriously. Campers that can't help us do that can't stay at camp.

⚠️ Serious Behavior Problems

Bullying or Teasing: That means picking on, excluding, or embarrassing someone else. Everyone deserves kindness.

Stealing or Lying: Be honest and only use what's yours. If it's not yours, ask first.

Big Emotions or Outbursts: Everyone gets upset sometimes — that's OK! But if anger or homesickness gets too hard to handle or keeps you or others from enjoying camp, we'll help — and may need to call your grown-ups for support.

Leaving Without Permission: You must always stay where your group is and never leave without a staff member.

Being Physical: Hitting, fighting, kicking, or any kind of physical harm is never OK.

💬 A Note to Parents and Guardians

Camp is the ultimate community — a place built on kindness, respect, and care for others. At CYJ, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and celebrated. Our campers thrive when they contribute to this environment of friendship and empathy.

If your child is not ready to treat others with kindness or to live by the values of respect and inclusion, CYJ may not be the right fit for your family at this time. We take our commitment to a positive, caring community seriously. Campers who consistently show unkind, unsafe, exclusive, or disrespectful behavior may be sent home. Please note that campers dismissed from camp for behavioral reasons are not eligible for refunds.