Body art: a panel discussion.

Peter Surgenor, CCD 

At Camp Crestfield, campers and staff are not accepted or rejected on the basis of body art and piercing, as long as they wish to share a small group experience that focuses on exploration of Christian faith. We do follow a policy that prohibits clothing that mentions alcohol, tobacco, or drug use, or that contains inappropriate language. We also apply this policy to the content of body art. We communicate these policies to staff before we issue employment contracts and to campers in the letter that describes what to bring.

We strive to model a community that accepts all who wish to grow and learn about the Christian faith. We serve churches and community agencies in a large urban county. Campers come to us from all kinds of neighborhoods, which all have different dress and jewelry habits.

Our staff are keenly aware that parents are tentative about leaving their children at camp - no matter what the counselor looks like. We teach our staff to be honest, friendly, and supportive as they share their concern for each camper in a quick, efficient conversation with parents. I am sure that some parents are surprised by the appearance of some staff members, but this sincere concern for each child, combined with the clean staff outfits on opening and closing day, serve to reassure parents.

Many of our staff have grown up in our program. They represent our constituent communities and churches. The faith that supports their self-expression has grown, in part, from experiences here at camp. Our selection criteria is Christian faith and the ability to work with children. Our challenge is to help these staff teach faith to children and interpret their faith and concern to parents.

The person inside each camper and staff member is what is important; we seek to find that kernel, no matter what image each person presents.

Vance Gilmore, CCD

Camp John Marc has a summer staff of 27. Each week, up to 60 volunteers attend, and each week we have a totally different medical team. We have a set of volunteer/staff standards for everyone, and each group has its own guidelines. Within our volunteer/staff standards is a code of ethics everyone must sign; this code includes appropriate dress.

Our policy does not specifically deal with body piercing other than the ears. We do not allow large, dangling earrings for two reasons: safety and attention. The activities that occur in our camp would not be safe if we allowed large earrings. Also, large earrings would distract campers. We want them to focus on activities and experiences that lead to growth and development, not on what someone is wearing.

We do not have a policy in response to other forms of piercing, although we view it with the same philosophy. If a piercing is large, dangling, or would distract campers, we would ask the individual to refrain from wearing it at camp. We have had people wear simple studs or tiny rings in their noses. These piercings are acceptable. We have had some discussion about navel piercing, but we would be unable to monitor it because we ask our staff and campers to dress conservatively (which translates into one-piece bathing suits) and do not have our male staff go shirtless unless swimming or canoeing.

The policy we follow about body art is: any body art that depicts adult subject matter, profanity, or drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, is inappropriate for camp. We have not seen a great deal of body art. The most common type of body art we see is tattoos of fraternity or sorority Greek letters around their ankles.

Policies stating flat out that body art and piercing are not allowed may lead to difficult situations. We prefer to set some boundaries within this issue, which has worked well for us. Any policy regarding body piercing would need to remember that body art and piecing are important parts of some cultures. Establishing clear boundaries based first on safety and second on limiting distraction has worked well for Camp John Marc.

Tom Horner, CCD

From the Catalina Island Camps grooming standards: "Men are not permitted to wear earrings. No staff member may wear studs or rings in any other part of the body."

At our camp, we do not surprise our staff with any policy. Potential staff members receive a copy of our policies when they receive a job application; we discuss our policies during interviews and staff sign a statement that they have read and will comply with our policies when they accept any job. They understand Catalina Island Camps' policies on appearance, alcohol, smoking, swearing, and other behavior long before they decide to work for us. It is simple and there is no confusion: if potential staff do not agree with our policies, they do not need to apply for the job.

Catalina Island Camps is an active place. Our staff are in and out of the ocean throughout the day. They sail, waterski, skin dive, kayak, and swim. They climb, participate on the ropes course, play sports, and work with the campers. In any of these activities, piercings pose a safety hazard to the staff member, as well as a supervision problem for the camp if he is injured. Multiple hoops and rings add to the chance of injury or infection.

This issue also involves a second compelling argument. As camp directors, there is a standard of appearance we hold. Our camp families also hold a standard. Body piercings and visible tattoos do not contribute to the standard we portray to campers' families.

Our approach to staff body piercing and tattoos is the same as our approach to eating habits, t-shirt styles, haircuts, and sexual orientation. Staff are not hired or trained to promote their own tastes, styles, or opinions to campers.

Our policy is clear. We have specific reasons for having it in place. Staff decide to accept it by their own choice. When they leave camp and are off duty, they may choose to replace their rings.

Peter Surgenor, CCD, is the director of Camp Crestfield, Pittsburgh Presbytery, Slippery Rock, Pa.

Vance Gilmore, CCD, is the director of Camp John Marc, in Meridian, Texas.

Tom Horner, CCD, is the director of Catalina Island Camps, in Two Harbors, Calif.