Policies
1. Our Commitment to an Inclusive Environment (Safe Space Policy)
At Old School, every individual is entitled to a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. We are committed to fostering an atmosphere where all campers, staff, and volunteers feel respected, valued, and empowered to participate fully, regardless of their background or identity.
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Zero Tolerance for Harassment: We maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, and violence of any kind, including but not limited to comments, actions, or conduct related to race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or spirituality, and socio-economic status.
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Active Respect and Politeness: We ask all community members to treat one another with genuine politeness and respect at all times. We will actively work together to honour and celebrate the gifts and perspectives each person brings to camp.
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Responsible Enjoyment: As this is a camp for adults, we trust our campers to manage their own consumption of alcohol or legal substances responsibly. However, intoxication that leads to disruptive behaviour or violates our Safe Space policy will result in removal from camp.
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Reporting and Support: If you experience or witness any form of conduct that makes you feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it immediately to any staff member
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All concerns will be listened to seriously, treated with sensitivity and confidentiality, and mediated promptly and fairly.
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Campers, volunteers, or staff found to be in conflict with the values of our shared safe space or who infringe upon the ability of others to participate fully will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, which may include being asked to leave the camp without a fee credit (see Section 3).
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2. Fair & Flexible Financial Policies (Payment, Credit, and Hardship)
Our financial policy is designed to be clear, consistent, and offer flexibility, recognizing that circumstances can change.
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Payments are Non-Refundable: All payments made to Old School are non-refundable. We use these funds for essential planning, securing facilities, and hiring instructors.
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Camp Credit for Cancellations: If you are unable to attend a camp session after having paid your deposit or full amount, your payment will be converted into a credit on your account.
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This credit can be used toward any future Old School camp session.
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Credits are applicable only toward future camp fees and are not convertible into cash or any type of refund.
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3. Participation and Accessibility
Skill Level Expectation (Ready-to-Learn)
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Our camp is programmed for musicians who have moved beyond the very first stages of learning how to play their instrument. While you do not need to be an expert, participants should possess the foundational confidence and familiarity with their instrument necessary to learn in a group setting. You should be able to navigate your instrument's fretboard/fingerboard with enough ease to switch between basic chords and follow along with instruction. This ensures that you can actively participate in classes and jams without requiring one-on-one "true beginner" instruction.
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We welcome a wide range of proficiency, from late beginner/inexperienced players to seasoned professionals. Instructors will strive to accommodate varied abilities within instrument classes, (which is why we limit instrument classes to 10 students each) and jams will be managed to encourage participation across all levels.
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If you require any specific accommodations (e.g., related to mobility, dietary needs, or sensory needs), please inform us during registration. We will make every reasonable effort to ensure your needs are met and you can participate fully.
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We welcome and encourage open, constructive feedback on how we can make the camp a more accessible and inclusive experience for everyone.
4. Policy Review and Governance
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Policy Updates: Old School reserves the right to modify, alter, delete, and update these policies at any time we see fit. We will communicate any significant changes to registered campers promptly.
