Bear Creek Camp is committed to the care and well-being of all. We strive to cultivate an uplifting and loving environment where each person is wholly accepted and affirmed for who they are.
Our Lutheran foundation calls us to work toward justice and peace for all of God’s people. With intentional support of historically marginalized peoples, we commit to promoting racial equity and the affirmation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions among our community. At Bear Creek Camp, we value thoughtful curiosity, open perspectives, and the celebration of difference among all who share this space. Having experienced this authentic welcome, all who travel our red dirt road will depart equipped to energize their communities with that same expansive spirit of inclusion.
Rooted in our long-held pursuit of intentional community, we seek to create holy ground at Bear Creek Camp that will help shape individuals and communities for generations to come.
Intentional Inclusive Practices
Lutheran Theology
We follow ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) theology in our teachings to staff and campers. We ask Lutheran pastors and other Lutheran speakers to attend staff training to walk alongside and help our staff with our Bible studies, faith, hard questions, and all else that may be discussed throughout summer. Our main Lutheran theology is teaching to be a grace-filled inclusive and loving community. We welcome people of all faiths and spiritual practices.
Expansive Language for God
Here at BCC, we enjoy mixing the traditions of camp with the modern updates of today. While we sing many of the same songs and read familiar stories in the Bible, we want to be sure our language looks at God expansively. We as staff often use inclusive language for God in our songs, readings, and prayers which include: He, They, She, Creator, Big G, and many other varieties of language to show that all people are able to use language for God as they see fit.
Pronouns
Pronouns are the words used to describe a person in the way a person wants others to use when talking to or about them. While at camp, staff will have nametags where listing their pronouns is optional. They may also vocally introduce themselves with pronouns. Sharing of pronouns is always optional for all staff, campers, and guests at Bear Creek Camp. We believe that using someone’s correct personal pronouns is a way to respect them and create an inclusive environment, and we ask all others to do the same.
Housing Policies
A camper will be given housing accommodations according to the gender identity submitted on their health forms. In order to make changes to housing accommodations, we require verbal approval from parents or guardians. Our cabin spaces are equipped with a private changing pod and our bathroom facilities have privacy for bathroom and showering usage. We believe that all people benefit when there are privacy spaces, and we train our staff on how to properly and safely supervise these areas.
The Lenape People
For over 10,000 years the area now known as Pennsylvania, including Bear Creek Camp, has been the homelands of the Lenape tribe. The early recorded history of Pennsylvania is deeply rooted in the relationship between the Lenape and the Europeans who settled here. There has been a rich exchange in culture, as well as early and continuing conflicts between those ways of life. As with all triumphs and tragedies, it continues to require thoughtful reflection. The Lenape people have survived displacement and upheaval. Bear Creek works to care for the land that the Lenape originally stewarded and we continue to tell the stories and history of the Lenape people.
Race and Ethnicity
All are welcome at Bear Creek Camp. To show this intentional welcome, we bring in professionals during our two weeks of Staff Training. These speakers teach about us cultural competency, restorative justice, and much more to ensure that we are caring for and are more understanding of different cultures and perspectives. We also work closely with leaders from under-resourced urban areas, historically areas with more people of color, to help prepare these kids to come to the camp setting by providing resources that they could potentially be lacking.
Physical Disabilities
Neurodivergences
Each person comes to camp with their own skills, interests, and abilities. While we work to ensure all feel welcome and included, we may need more information or helpful tips for some campers. We are often able to accommodate for campers under many neurodivergent umbrellas like ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, OCD, Dyslexia, etc. The important thing to note is that these neurodiversity variations and combinations are different for everyone. If you reach out to us about your camper’s needs by phone, email, or in your camper’s health form, we are then better able to help understand what they might need and how we can help them have a successful week at camp. You are also welcome to explore the essential functions of a Bear Creek Camper.