Welcome to the gathering.  This is a wonderful space to be in.  It feels
free and safe.  We want to maintain that feeling, yet at the same time it is
necessary to be sensible in order to keep our children safe and healthy.

 As times change, society in general has developed more problems and
illnesses.  Some of these, unfortunately, can carry over into our safe haven
here.  To ignore these problems is not sensible.  They do exist, therefore
we as a family must take measures to prevent them.
 
Here are some helpful ideas that work and we strongly suggest you take them
to the heart for the sake of all our precious children.

1)  Please keep track of your children.  Know where they are and when they
should be  back to your camp site or meet you.

2)  If someone else is caring for your children,  please make sure you
!really!   know who
    that person is and that you have spent some time with that person.
(Sometimes, unfortunately, those
     persons who would harm our children have a facade that "feels o.k." and
a very trusting pleasant      personality.   This is not to say don't trust
your feelings or other people, please just take some time and      extra
care - our children deserve it.)

3)  Kid Village is a great place for kids, but it is not a Babysitting
Drop-In center. Please  do NOT leave your     children unsupervised at Kid
Village.  Make arrangements with another adult who will be there to be
responsible for them.
 
4)  Older children need to know how to find their "home camp" and parents.
They should also be shown safe areas     (Kid Village, info center,
kitchens) to go to if they are in trouble, lost or hurt. They should know
how to     describe you and your camp area verbally.
 
5)  For younger children who cannot talk well and might wander off, you can
make tags (pin a piece of paper on     their backs so they can't pull it
off) with their name, your name and directions to your camp.

6)  If your child gets separated from you or lost, please don't wait long to
act.  If after a search for your     child in the immediate area, they are
not located, immediately inform both Info and Kid Village.  We need to
be told quickly to enable us to do the best job of finding them, especially
if it is close to nightfall.       Better safe than sorry.

       WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

  If you notice anything that looks or feels "not quite right" or a child
that looks distressed or frightened, please don't look the other way.  It's
better to check it out than to let tragedy occur.
As a parent, please keep in mind that if someone cares enough to interfere
and asks questions about your parenting that it comes from the heart and is
meant in the interest of all of our children's best welfare.  Please try to
be understanding.