Sexual orientation and camp: a panel discussion.

At the 1996 American Camping Association National Conference, panelists Leslie Conrad, Arturo Cranston, Ron Springs, and Peter Surgenor joined me in a discussion moderated by Bob Ditter on "Sexual Orientation in Camps: What is the American Camping Association's Role?" These four individuals come from very different backgrounds and their views capture some of the issues surrounding this topic.

The issue of sexual orientation in camps and whether or not ACA should take a position on the issue has been the most controversial topic in my eight years as executive vice president. The discussion has, at times, been intense; in fact, people have left the organization because they assumed they knew ACA's position and they didn't agree with it.

ACA has not taken a position related to camps hiring gay and lesbian staff, nor is ACA likely to, for one simple reason: our mission. ACA's mission, passed in 1993, is to serve organized camps, affiliated programs, and the public by promoting better camping for all.

As an organization, ACA has a clear nondiscrimination statement. Our membership is open to all individuals who agree with our mission and bylaws and who agree to abide by our ethics statements. Our ethics require camps to hire staff based on their qualifications to do the job.

The viewpoints of the following four panelists are not position statements for the association. They are the opinions of your fellow camp professionals about this controversial topic, presented for your discussion and consideration.

VIEWPOINT

Leslie E. Conrad

As with any organization that serves a diverse membership and public, the struggle of social issues and a changing society are bound to cause reevaluation of ACA's services and positions. Yet sexual orientation is unlike some of the past social struggles ACA has had to address, such as race and gender issues and providing equal opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Here, we are discussing a person's sexual behavior, which addresses what they do as opposed to who they are.

If the subject of homosexuality is to be taught, then it is necessary for all the facts to be presented. Camp does not provide the opportunity for this, nor can we expect 18- to 20-year-old staff to have all the facts necessary to address the issue. Camp staff are not qualified and are not charged by parents to offer advice on sexual behavior. By condoning or encouraging any type of sexual behavior, whether homosexual or heterosexual, we have overstepped the boundaries of summer camp.

This is not to say that the subject of sexuality will not arise during a child's stay at camp. Counselors need to be prepared to handle situations with care and sensitivity, but not in a way that compromises the values of the child's family. Nor do we want to place our staff in a position that forces them to offer counsel with which they disagree. Camps need to have policies that provide guidelines for staff to follow in the event that the subject of sexuality or an incident of sexual misconduct arises. The policy should not encourage staff to take sides on the issue, but it should stress the importance of not passing judgement on campers or staff.

Often when discussing sexual orientation, the subject of differences and prejudice arises. In response to an article addressing sexual orientation, John Miller made the point that we often apply labels to individuals whose ideas and opinions are different from our own[1]. Differences are the basis for the relationships that define camp. Children and adults should be taught to respect others because they are human beings. At camp, we should focus on the value of the person.[2] If we did not strive to recognize the value of the individual, why would we stay up all night making tin foil awards for each camper? Or why do we say to our staff "Notice the good things, encourage the positive"? How do we convince a college student to give up his summer to work in hot, humid group living conditions with little pay? Because we care about the individual. As adults, we should be aware of the example we are setting for children when we criticize individuals rather than the behavior with which we disagree. By setting examples for our campers, we hope to instill in them respect and appreciation for others.

What is ACA's role?

The question we have been asking is "What should ACA's role be toward the issue of sexual orientation?" There are clearly strong feelings surrounding the issue of sexual orientation on both sides, not only in the camp field, but in society. As camp professionals, we want to include everyone, to serve all those in need, and to seek what is best for our children. This issue is by no means agreed upon socially or within our association, and will cause dissension and division. The American Camping Association should not take a position on this issue, as it is not the responsibility or purpose of camp to teach children about human sexuality.

References

1 Miller, J. (1991). Dealing with Controversy Through Debate, Not Name-Calling. Camping Magazine 65(3).

2 Jordan, Debra, Re.D. (1994). The Wealth of Diversity. Camping Magazine 67(1).

VIEWPOINT

Arturo Cranston, OP, CCD 

In preparing background for this article, I read a book written by John Shelby Spong, an Episcopalian bishop, entitled Living In Sin. In doing his research, Bishop Spong came upon some fairly convincing medical research that bears upon our discussion. He found that contrary to current opinion, the sexual orientation of an individual occurs during the process of fetal development. The presence or absence of quantities of testosterone at a certain point in the development of the fetal child renders that child more inclined to gravitate toward one sex or the other. If this is correct, and if it eventually proves to be an acknowledged medical fact, then heterosexuals and homosexuals alike would have had no more control over their sexual orientations than they had over their skin or eye color. It would place homophobia in the same discriminatory box as racial, national, or religious prejudices and bigotries. Freed from homophobia, it would then be possible for homosexuals to come out the proverbial closet without having to ring the proverbial bell sounding "UNCLEAN." Then, freed from our prejudices, we might be able to look upon a homosexual as we have always viewed a heterosexual - with respect based upon character, talent, and accomplishments.

The concerns of hiring homosexuals at camp seem to stem from two issues: The possibility that children might be exposed to a lifestyle viewed as unacceptable on moral grounds and the fear that a homosexual counselor would tamper with the innocence of a child, resulting in parental wrath, lawsuits, and a loss of campers and income.

One point that should be made here is this: homosexuals are distinct from pedophiles. The sex drive of a homosexual occupies no more of his or her life that it does in the heterosexual. The adult homosexual is interested in an adult relationship with an adult member of the same sex, and is as able to nurture a child every bit as well as a heterosexual.

Pedophiles, on the other hand, are innately predators, wired to prey on children of both sexes. These pedophiles, in 92 to 96 percent of cases, are male heterosexuals, usually with an active heterosexual lifestyle. Our young campers are really far more at risk from their fathers, uncles, or their mother's boyfriends than they are from homosexual staff.

The real issue here is the acting out of sexual orientation, whether it is homosexual or heterosexual. I am not referring to off-duty times, weekends away from camp, or breaks. I am speaking of in camp, with kids, and under the eyes of kids. This issue pertains to all, regardless of sexual orientation.

During precamp orientation each year I give my staff what they laughingly call "Turi's Roll-In-The-Hay Talk." I explain that I am not advocating celibacy as a lifestyle for them, but that if they cannot go eight weeks without a roll in the hay with someone - anyone - whatever sex, then they are indeed in the wrong place and should find employment elsewhere.

The issue of sexual orientation in the camp setting is really irrelevant. However, the issue of sexual activity is very relevant. It is inappropriate for any staff member to act out his or her sexuality either genitally or in conversation, either by touch or by other means of communicating it, regardless of sexual orientation. With this issue of overt sexuality cleared away, we can then serve our campers best by looking for staff with character, talent, and skill.

If camp is about anything, it is about inclusion, not exclusion. It is about building community - a community that refuses to divide over differences of any kind, a community in which staff members can say to me, "Hey, Sister, do you know that I'm gay?" and I can reply, "So what? I'm celibate, and honey, in today's world, that's seen as even worse!"

What is ACA's role?

Does ACA have a role in all of this? I think so. ACA, in its process of evaluating and accrediting camps, and in its process of assuring the public that accredited camps take every possible measure to ensure the campers' safety, should insist that all accredited camps have an abuse and misconduct policy in their operating manuals. This type of policy is really a part of the risk management program. ACA could ask in its standards, "Give written evidence of an abuse/misconduct policy and show how it is implemented and explained to staff. Is it signed by staff? (Yes or No)"

I have had some very fine counselors on my staff who I know are homosexual. Never has any of them shown impropriety. If these staff members were removed, my camp would be the poorer and my program less rich.

ACA, by sponsoring workshops during its national conference and through section efforts, is in a position to address the treatment of all our minorities, specifically our homosexual young men and women, and to address the advantages we either afford or deny them. I do not believe in being moralistic or judgmental; only in being respectfully inclusive. I would hope for our growth in this area as well as for increased educational opportunities under the ACA umbrella.

VIEWPOINT

Ron Springs, CCD

As a conservative Christian, my response to including homosexuals in camps will not be popular with those who believe in tolerance of all lifestyles. People who put their faith in Christ must ask for His guidance and to understand His word when dealing with a subject such as sexual orientation.

In the Bible, there are a number of texts that specifically address the practice of homosexuality (Genesis 1 and 2, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10, and I Timothy 1:9).

Genesis 1 and 2 provides a very positive teaching about human sexuality and heterosexual marriage. According to these passages, heterosexual intercourse in marriage is not a union of alien persons who do not belong to one another and who cannot appropriately become one flesh. It is a union of two people who originally were one, who were separated from one another, and who come together again in the sexual encounter of marriage. Jesus himself endorsed this teaching. Every sexual relationship or act that deviates from this practice is wrong, including premarital sex, adultery, polygamy, and homosexual partnerships.

This Christian vision for sexuality and marriage is our primary reason for rejecting homosexual action. We need to "love the sinner but hate the sin." Jesus did that. In today's world, he would probably be called narrow-minded bigot by some. Christianity does indeed discriminate, and in our politically correct world today, any type of discrimination is deemed wrong.

At my camp, we prohibit any type of dating between our staff and campers. Yet we sometimes see relationships developing between our older campers and younger staff, and carefully monitor these. I wouldn't think of having an 18-year-old female counselor living in a cabin with my 14- to 16-year-old male campers. Why, then, would I put a male homosexual counselor in the same situation?

I seek to hire Christian men and women who are Christian examples and role models for the campers. I would not hire a person who was openly homosexual, because I believe that a homosexual is the wrong role model for children.

What is ACA's role?

ACA is walking on precarious ground when it takes a stand on this issue. I believe that those who are pursuing this issue wish to keep ACA accredited camps from discriminating against homosexuals. This agenda will hurt our credibility with many families, and will harm our relationship with other organizations such as Christian Camping International.

If ACA were to take a position for or against this issue, it would lose a significant number of its camps and members. The subject is too personal for a national organization to dictate a policy. Each camp should decide on its own, through its administration or board, what its policy will be regarding sexual orientation. ACA should remain neutral on this issue.

VIEWPOINT

Rev. D. Surgenor, CCD

My training as a theologian influences me as I deal with the issue of the ACA response to sexual preference issues. My study of scriptures leads me to understand that God acts in the world to provide the means for individual redemption rather than judgement during this life.

As a Christian, I see that God provided Jesus Christ to humans not because God had provided incorrect information to the people of Israel, but to provide another model to reach the same goal. God was providing a method to prepare for life after this one, not to prepare people to sit in judgement of one another. Jesus talked with and taught those people society had defined as different and rejected. He reached outside acceptable norms to teach God's message and to show how powerful faith could be.

I understand that my faith calls me to include those who are cast aside by the communities in which they live. I see that I am called in faith to share God's acceptance with those who are in and out of the churches in my community. All of this sharing is conducted in the context of the history of the camp, the sensibility of the churches that support the camp, and the structure of the organization that is my employer.

Am I strong enough in my sense of self and in my leadership to be as radical in approach as I perceive that Christ was? No way! But I do see myself challenged to keep changing the context of my life, my ministry, and my camp to include people who are persecuted or judged by communities of faith and communities of life. I am inspired to take small steps into the areas where I perceive personal and institutional discomfort.

I see myself challenged to examine the problem for manageable segments. I try to peel back the uncomfortable layers surrounding the issue of sexual preference. In my experience with people I understand that personal sexual orientation is not an indicator of ability or success as a camp counselor or staff person.

The issue of an individual's sexual preference is not an issue for me because sexuality is outside the bounds of the developmental needs of campers. Sexuality is a personal issue when it is expressed in an appropriate manner. The issue for me in staff selection is counseling ability or performance that will enrich campers.

Another layer of the problem I try to address is the need for children to be able to share pride in their living situation and personality. My camp community needs to learn how to be less judgmental of others and more able to see value in each person. Campers are children with developmental needs, no matter who their parents are or what their home situation is.

What is ACA's role?

Where do I see the American Camping Association in relation to this issue of sexual preference? I see that we should be raising the underlying issues for discussion and sensitivity. We need to prepare camp directors to provide staff training modules that enable staff to be open to diversity. We need to model acceptance rather than judgement in session topics and speakers at conferences. ACA should be a leader, providing training and materials that help us train staff about inappropriate conversations and demonstrations of sexuality.

My faith calls me to model and share acceptance of persons and communities that are perceived to be different. Historically ACA has led us to accept and to appreciate day camps, racial diversity issues, and risk management. I am challenged by the words of Matthew 25, "Lord when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison?"

"When you met the needs of the least of these who are members of my family you did it to me" (paraphrase of Matthew 25:37-40).

John A. Miller is the executive vice president of the American Camping Association, Martinsville, Ind.

Leslie E. Conrad is the recreation coordinator of Clemson University Outdoor Laboratory and has been involved in the camp field for 15 years.

Arturo Cranston, OP, CCD, is a Catholic Dominican Sister based at Sinsinawa, Wis. and has directed Camp We-Ha-Kee, a private girls' camp in Wisconsin, since 1985.

Ron Springs, CCD, is the director of Ridgecrest Summer Camps, Ridgecrest, N.C. and has been involved in the camp field for 25 years.

Rev. Peter D. Surgenor, CCD, is ordained in the Presbyterian Church and has been director of Camp Crestfield, Slippery Rock, Pa., for 20 years.