Camper safety is our highest priority. Eden Village Camp is not a therapeutic or clinical setting, and we are not equipped to safely support campers who engage in self-harm or self-injurious behaviors.
Eden Village is unable to accommodate campers who are at risk of self-harming or experiencing suicidal ideation at camp, have a history of self-harming within the past year, or who require safety-planning in order to prevent self-harm. Campers who engage in self-harming actions or experience intrusive self-harming thoughts or suicidal ideation at camp may be sent home at the sole discretion of the Director and no refunds will be offered. It is the responsibility of the enrolling parent or caregiver to update this status if it changes as camp nears.
Definition of Self-Harm / Self-Injurious Behavior
For the purposes of this policy, self-harm is defined as any intentional or repetitive behavior that causes physical injury or damage to one’s own body, regardless of intent, motivation, or stated purpose.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Cutting, scratching, carving, or piercing the skin
Using sharp objects such as pins, knives, glass, or razors on the body (beyond the purpose of shaving body hair)
Peeling, picking, or removing skin in a way that causes injury, bleeding, open wounds, or infection risk
Burning or abrading the skin
Repeatedly reopening wounds or interfering with healing
Any behavior that results in visible injury or tissue damage to oneself
Experiencing intrusive self-harming thoughts or suicidal ideation
Behaviors are considered self-harm based on the action and physical outcome, not solely on the camper’s explanation, emotional state, or parental interpretation.
To uphold psychological safety for all campers, discussing history of, intent to, or methods of self-harm with other campers is prohibited at camp, and may result in being sent home.
Eden Village Camp is a communal, immersive environment. Self-harm behaviors—regardless of intent—pose serious risks, including medical complications, emotional contagion, and disruption to the camp community. Camp staff are not trained or licensed to provide ongoing supervision or treatment for self-injurious behaviors or ideation.