|
Talking about DEI is hard. Sometimes the uncertainty around the correct words can be daunting. We worry that we'll say the wrong thing or are embarrassed we don't understand, so we remove ourselves from the conversation. Not talking about differences is harmful and counter to the work we strive to do. How we communicate and the words we use are also crucial to inclusion. We must do our part to ensure that the way we communicate is not creating barriers for or excluding certain groups of people. As we begin to do the work, it is essential to start with a basic understanding of standard terms. This glossary will help us all promote safe and open conversations. Please understand language is continually evolving and may change based on context.
|
|
|
|
Making DEI Part of Your Camp Culture for Real by Erica Jameson, Director - Jameson Ranch Camp & Jill Steigerwals, Assistant Director - Camp Nor'Wester |
This month our newsletter focus is on DOING THE WORK around DEI for yourself and your camp program. We've included various hand-picked resources to help us all move from the acknowledging this needs to be done phase into the let's get going phase! We understand this is a complex, long-term process, and we hope you will feel prepared and supported as you embark on this significant undertaking.
To get us started, we are excited to share WAIC's own Erica Jameson (Jameson Ranch Camp) and Jill Steinerwald's (Camp Nor' Wester) session from the recent ACA Critical Issues Seminar. These two camp professionals have been engaged in this process at their own camps and offer great insight into the steps we can take to get started on our individual Camp journies. In this session, Jill and Erica share background information and outline steps you can take to begin the process of creating and/or modifying practices, policies, and programs at your camp. Though it can feel overwhelming and without direction from the right people at the right time, remember – any step in any DEI area will benefit multiple identities, so just start somewhere with small steps, to build momentum that keeps you moving forward. Lets' DO THE WORK! |
|
|
ARTICLE White is the Default at Camp
|
Black Lives Matter at Camp. Yes, and this statement needs to be viewed more as a call to action than as a declaration. Because the work of dismantling white supremacy culture at camp (and in our greater society) can’t simply be “accomplished”. In some spaces, or many spaces, it hasn’t started. This call to action drives members of the camp community to start and continue the process of building an equitable camp community where everyone can thrive. It’s recognizing that it’s a lot easier for white kids to thrive at (or even attend) most camps, because, as Nelson Strickland has noted, white is the default at camp. |
|
|
PODCAST The Day Camp Pod - Andy Pritikin featuring Dr. Chanika Perry and Dr. Lance Ozier |
|
One of the silver linings 2020 has been the awakening of many camp professionals to the glaring lack of diversity in the camp industry. Besides camps that cater to children living in the inner-city, summer camp - like many American institutions, has historically been a white proposition. Listen as this panel (led by WAIC's Andy Pritikin) discuss what we can do within our organizations, to help make change. In addition to the panel discussion a wide range of additional resources are provided.
|
|
|
Amanda Gorman - American Poet |
|
|
Making Talking About Race Our Work by Ken Hardy |
In this video clip from Kenneth Hardy's 2016 Networker Symposium Keynote Speech, The View from Black America, he explains how the centrality of white America leaves many black people feeling as though they're trapped in a wall-less prison. He stresses the need for all Americans to address this, as our lives are inextricably linked, and thus we're all put at risk. Read more from Dr. Hardy at psychotherapynetworker.org
|
|
|
|
|
Me and White Supremacy (with guided journal) by Layla F. Saad
|
|
Awareness leads to action, action leads to change. When Layla F. Saad began an instagram challenge called #meandwhitesupremacy, she never predicted it would spread so quickly. Using a step by step reflection process, she encouraged people with white privilege to examine their racists thoughts and behaviors. More than ever before people are asking what they can do to help. This book and guided journal is a great place to start!
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACA National Conference - Feb. 2-4: Highlight the Camp Includes Me track for DEI work/focused sessions
|
|
WAIC DEI Workgroup - Information Coming Soon
|
|
|
We encourage you to pass along this newsletter to other camp professionals outside of WAIC. If they would like to be added as a recipient of this emailed newsletter, they can do so by contacting [email protected]. |
PO Box 854, Trabuco Canyon, California, 92678, United States of America |
|
|
|
