Just as we nurture and encourage campers’ academic and physical growth, we also strive to support our campers’ character growth. We promote and model kind and respectful treatment of children and adults, and we value the acceptance, appreciation and inclusion of others.
Campers whose actions and/or statements demonstrate a pattern of disrespect or indifference to the school’s mission, values and program may be considered out of sympathy with Durham Academy and separated from the community.
After a class or clinic has begun, if DA Summer staff becomes aware of specific medical, behavioral or emotional needs that cannot be accommodated by our staff, or if the camper is uncooperative with instructors or is a detriment to other students, DA Summer reserves the right to remove the camper from any current or future camp, class or clinic that they may be registered to attend without refund.
Camp Rules and Expectations
Each camp is governed by a lead instructor and an assistant instructor with rules and expectations. While there are minor differences from camp to camp, each instructor emphasizes the same values: making good choices and treating others and their belongings with respect.
While we actively promote the positive behaviors we value, there are behaviors that we actively discourage. Instructors and administrators seek to intervene effectively in instances where misbehavior has occurred, poor choices have been made, or students have been unkind or unhelpful to each other.
We have identified several behaviors that have a particularly high potential to harm others and are specifically disallowed:
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Punching, kicking or jabbing
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Spitting, biting, pushing, shoving or slapping
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Name-calling based on personal or family characteristics (disability, race or ethnicity, religion, income, ability, appearance, gender, etc.)
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Threatening physical harm or violence
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Threatening others with words or actions
Campers who display these behaviors will be subject to discipline, and the incident will be reported to the camp office. Consequences will be determined based on the nature of the offense and the camper’s age/history, and parents or guardians will be informed.
Consequences may include the following:
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Verbal warnings or explanations
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Acts of apology
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Written reflections
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Parent phone calls and/or meetings
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Conversations with administrators
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Temporary removal from the camp setting
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Removal for the summer
Fighting cannot and will not be tolerated.
Students may not possess — on or near camp property, on a camp trip or during a camp-related activity — any weapon, including but not limited to: knives, weapons or explosives, or any facsimile of a firearm. The possession of juuling/vaping paraphernalia, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or illegal substances is strictly forbidden. No one is permitted to carry any kind of firearm on Durham Academy's campus unless they are licensed and working within their jurisdiction. North Carolina law prohibits weapons of any kind, even firearms that are registered and licensed, on DA or other school campuses, unless they are carried by a security officer qualified to carry a weapon under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 and applicable state law.
In keeping with North Carolina state law, the camp reserves the right to search a student’s property including car, locker or person if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is in possession of any item that violates camp policy. Anything found that is in violation of the rules of the camp, poses a danger to the community or breaks the law will be confiscated, and that student will be subject to the camp’s disciplinary procedures and will be asked to leave the campus.
All members of the Durham Academy community have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment violate DA’s fundamental commitment to according each member of the camp community the fullest measure of dignity and respect to which they are entitled as a human being. Diverse religious, socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations and different learning styles are represented within the campers and instructors. The camp values the healthy and dynamic environment this diversity provides.
Durham Academy believes in providing an atmosphere conducive to personal, social, intellectual and academic growth. DA believes there is no justification for, and will not tolerate, bullying, harassment or intimidation on any grounds whatsoever, including but not limited to sexual orientation, gender, religious belief, race, ethnic or cultural heritage or learning style. DA faculty, staff and campers are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights or dignity of others. Acts of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment occurring among DA faculty, staff and campers are not tolerated by Durham Academy, whether they occur on or off campus.
Any camper who believes they have been the target of bullying or harassment from any member of the camp community should contact an instructor, DA Summer Health and Safety Coordinator, camp coordinator or the Director of DA Summer.
