Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Updated October 2023
The Carroll County YMCA is made up of people of all ages, from many walks of life, playing and working side-by-side. Together, we strive to build a culture where everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Our core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility guide everything we do.
We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment where campers, participants, families, and staff can discover and be their authentic selves. Through leadership, strategic planning, recruitment, training, and program development, we strive to be inclusive in our practices and to promote equity and opportunity for all individuals. We respect, affirm and protect the dignity and worth of every member of our community.
Bringing a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging lens to all aspects of our programs, systems, culture, and organization will help CCYMCA Camp Huckins to build on our strengths and grow in new ways so everyone can discover and be their truest self. As we develop the leadership capacities of the individuals in our programs, it will better prepare them to successfully navigate increasingly diverse communities.
Commitments:
We recognize that as a community and an organization we have much to learn and unlearn. This will be a long-term commitment as an organization and with our larger community as we continue to learn together.
We will bring courage and curiosity to this exploration. We will try to be honest and open in conversations that move us toward new understandings, practicing grace and accountability.
- We are committed to removing barriers that prevent campers and staff from participating in CCYMCA Camp Huckins programs and feeling a sense of belonging.
We are committed to ensuring the cost of programs is not a barrier, providing need-based financial aid. - In our inclusive girls’ summer camp, we strive to be inclusive of campers that identify as girls and as non-binary. We seek to empower all campers and staff.
- Any individual or family seeking to be a part of the CCYMCA Camp Huckins community is encouraged to reach out to our camp leadership so that we can determine how our programs can best serve their needs.
We are committed to bringing an asset-based approach to our work, identifying our strengths and exploring how we can build on them as we strive to create a place where all feel a sense of belonging as their true self.
We commit to examining traditions, cultural norms, policies, and systems through the lens of our Huckins vision and core values. We will strive to balance respect for the past while building the future, advancing our mission and successfully delivering the key elements of a Huckins experience.
Camp Huckins is committed to delivering programs that build leadership skills, growth mindset and confidence, promote fun and play, develop meaningful friendships, and that build inclusive communities where all can be their genuine selves.
Gender Inclusion at Camp Huckins
We believe in the value of our inclusive girls’ experience and that it creates a unique opportunity for campers to strengthen their identity in a supportive environment. We seek to empower and celebrate all girls and women, and we welcome campers who feel they will thrive in this environment.
Camp Huckins is an inclusive girls’ overnight camp. We welcome children who identify as girls, non-binary, and gender fluid, and are emotionally ready to fully participate. We strive to support inclusivity within our program while maintaining the benefits of a single gender experience.
If you have any questions about what it means to be a part of the CCYMCA Camp Huckins community, please contact the Summer Camp Director, Sarah “Smackie” Weeman, or Executive Director, Heather Kiley, at Huckins.
