Code of Conduct

The code of conduct for Falls Creek is intended to assist the many diverse churches and students at camp to have a safe and enjoyable camp experience, while growing in their faith. Falls Creek is designed to help students and adults know and follow God, so the code of conduct prioritizes issues related to a student’s faith development in Jesus. Falls Creek youth weeks are planned for youth (those who have completed 6th through 12th grade).

After 10:15 p.m., all students should be inside their cabin and should not be outside their cabin without a sponsor until after 6:30 a.m. Groups are allowed to meet around the perimeter of their cabin during late night devotional times, but a sponsor should be with the group at all times and extra care should be taken so other groups are not disturbed. Groups/individuals need to be inside their cabin by 11:45 p.m. If a particular group needs to meet outside their cabin after 11:45 p.m. for spiritual counsel, a sponsor must be present and the group must move inside the cabin as soon as possible.

No bands or instrumental groups are allowed to perform outside their cabin walls, except for groups that are an official part of the weekly programming for the whole camp. Headset listening devices and sound systems may be used only inside cabins. Excessive volume from a cabin is not permitted since it can disturb other cabins. No product sales are allowed at Falls Creek unless they have secured a contract through the Falls Creek Office. Students are required to attend both the Morning Tabernacle Experience and the Evening Tabernacle Experience each day.

Sponsors from each church are responsible for enforcing the code of conduct and camp dress code for their students and adults and for handling discipline issues. At all experiences, church groups must sit together. If the group is too large to find a single location for everyone, the group should divide into smaller groups with adult sponsors in each group. Students will not be permitted to leave the grounds unless accompanied by a sponsor.

Believing that modesty extends beyond the dress code, Falls Creek asks that students refrain from PDA (Public Displays of Affection). Church sponsors should be diligent to communicate this guideline to their students.

It is strongly suggested that churches limit or prohibit their students’ use and possession of cell phones and two-way radios. These items can quickly become a distraction to the goals of the week of camp.

Use or possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco of any type is not permitted on the grounds during any week of camp. The possession of offensive weapons of any sort is prohibited at Falls Creek. Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center reserves the right to perform a random drug and weapon search at any time and confiscate items that distract from the camp goals or that violate the code of conduct of the camp.

Pets/animals (other than service dogs), fireworks, rock throwing, water fighting, laser pointers and shaving cream fights are prohibited on the grounds. Masks or any other disguise over the face can not be worn by anyone outside of their cabin. For the safety of all guests, skates, rollerblades and skateboards are permitted only in the SwiftSkate area and only at designated times. All cycles (uni-, bi-, or tri-) are prohibited on the grounds. Violation of this policy could result in confiscation of equipment. No wading or swimming is allowed in the creeks or lake unless there is a Falls Creek lifeguard present. No swimming/wading pools are allowed at cabins.

All guests are required to show proof of registration or ID to enter or re-enter the conference center grounds. Day guests should leave grounds by midnight. Courtesy Crew will be on duty 24-hours per day. Courtesy Crew, when called upon, will assist the adult leadership of any cabin in dealing with discipline problems that may arise. Courtesy Crew is authorized to enforce the code of conduct and policies of the conference center.

Unnecessary and careless traffic is prohibited on Falls Creek grounds. Only conference center operated golf carts, utility carts, or low speed vehicles (LSVs) are permitted. Delivery trucks are not permitted during summer camp weeks except to supply conference center-owned concessions. Motorcycles may only drive to and from the gate to their cabin or meeting place. Recreation vehicles for living or sleeping purposes are permitted only in designated areas and must register in advance with the Falls Creek Office. All passengers must be seated in the vehicle according to its designated capacity—no passengers are allowed in pickup beds or in the back of vehicles with hatch doors raised.

Falls Creek is a Christian environment that promotes personal encouragement and spiritual development of every camper. Falls Creek does not condone or encourage any activity on grounds that humiliates any camper, including initiation, hazing, and pranks.

Dress Code:

The intent of the Falls Creek dress code is to provide an equitable dress code for all campers that will encourage modesty above legalism. Parents and church leaders are urged to see that only clothing which meets the policies and regulations of the conference center is brought to Falls Creek. Please do not bring to Falls Creek clothing you sense would be questionable for a Christian camp setting.

Since Falls Creek is a Christian camp with a distinctly Christian atmosphere, the New Testament principle of modesty should always be the standard for dress at Falls Creek. It is the responsibility of the sponsors from each church to model the standard of modesty and enforce the camp dress code.

While on Falls Creek grounds campers may not wear apparel:

• that exposes the midriff
• that is extremely tight fitting
• has writing on the back of pants or shorts
• that displays or promotes tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, or inappropriate language or pictures

All shorts and dresses should be modest length. At Falls Creek, modest shorts are generally defined as shorts that have at least a five inch inseam or longer and dresses and skirts should be four inches from the top of the knee or longer. Slits in dresses and skirts should also be modest in length. Shirts/tops must have at least three inches across the shoulder. Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times outside cabins, except while swimming.

Modest swimming suits are appropriate while swimming.  A dark t-shirt must be worn over two-piece swimming suits.  Males should not wear tight fitting swimming suits.  While going to and from the swimming areas, all campers must wear shoes.  Males must wear a t-shirt and females must wear a long covering over their swimming suits.

SPONSORS:

Great adult sponsors are essential for a great week at camp. Churches must provide a minimum of one sponsor for every ten youth with at least one male and one female sponsor. Some churches select junior sponsors to attend with their group; usually these are young college students.

Adult sponsors attending Falls Creek should adhere to the expectations listed below:

• Set the moral and spiritual example for the group.
• Model and enforce the camp code of conduct and dress code.
• Be responsible for the attendance of their students at BOTH experiences each day.
• Use every moment during the week to equip and encourage their students to follow Christ in their daily lives.
• Spend one-on-one time with the students in their cabin to hear their salvation story and/or to share Christ with them.
• Attend one of the Adult Leadership Investment times Tuesday or Wednesday night during the Evening Tabernacle Experience if involved in the youth ministry beyond camp.
• Have at least one sponsor/staff member from their church attend the 9:15 a.m. ten-minute daily update Tuesday-Friday in Massey Chapel (north side of the tabernacle).

Sponsors set the tone for the week. If a sponsor has a great attitude,students will have a great week at camp. If the sponsors are godly role models and use their influence wisely for the kingdom, there will be more spiritual impact during the week.

Please only recruit and take adult sponsors who will encourage your students toward the goals of camp.

Lead Sponsor

Each church is required to appoint a lead sponsor. This could be the pastor, youth minister, or a lay person that will serve as the church contact person during the week.