All Are Welcome Policy
I. SUMMARY
As Ontarians and Canadians, the values of tolerance and respect are foundational to our multicultural society.
The Catholic Youth Organization’s (C.Y.O.) recreational camp programs for children and youth are meant for everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic, religious and non-religious, to build values of citizenship, community, character, and service. There is no requirement to participate in any dimension of faith.
Parents and guardians, during registration for recreational day camp and overnight camp programs, will be given the opportunity to consult with the Camp Director about how their child may opt out of certain program elements.
II. KINDNESS, TOLERANCE, AND HONESTY
In C.Y.O. programs, universal values form the foundation for all we do: love, acceptance, forgiveness, honesty, kindness, compassion, service. We believe these values are for everyone, and we don’t want anyone who is not Catholic to miss out.
We include people from non-Catholic or non-religious backgrounds in our programs, while ensuring that there is no involuntary exposure to specific religious teaching or indoctrination.
Since we are serving children and minors, it is our established practice to invite parents and guardians to discuss any aspects of our program with us at registration time.
Our desire is to include all children while also providing a respectful process where parents and guardians can provide direction for us to have their child discreetly and respectfully opt-out of certain activities if that’s what they want.
Notwithstanding the above, we hold firm to our overall goals of promoting inclusivity, building community and inspiring patience and tolerance for all.
1. We acknowledge the universal human values of love and the intrinsic worth of the individual. We accept the variety of human expressions and cultural ideas, and all expressions of kindness, patience, tolerance, and honesty as the basis for trusting relationships.
2. We believe it is our mission to serve the general population in all its diversity by welcoming everyone and doing what we can to enable equitable access to our programs.
3. We take deliberate steps to consult with parents and guardians when enrolling and delivering our programs, so that we may welcome children and families of all religious or non-religious backgrounds, and that they will have confidence in us as we care for their child.
III. FROM OUR HEART TO YOURS
Parents and Guardians are Partners with us
Dear Parents and Guardians,
During our programs, some religious ideas, symbols, or gestures may be presented implicitly or explicitly, intentionally or unintentionally in the context of camp activities. It is possible that in some group settings your child may be following along and seeing or hearing something they don’t fully understand.
We want your child, with you having the information to guide them, and us as your partners, to understand about opting out of some activities if that is appropriate.
Keep in mind, our goal is to conduct a program that models and encourages values of love, honesty, friendship, trust, self-reflection, empathy, and service. Our activities and our staff are motivated and inspired by these broad themes and values.
After you talk with us about our program and how it looks, there may be parts of the camp program where you decide it is appropriate to have your child opt out, and we will comply.
We know that not everyone is Catholic, and not everyone is from a religious background. This conversation to build understanding between us builds trust, tolerance and respect for the benefit of your child.
By discussing these things openly, we create opportunities for new understanding to grow between faiths and between cultures. We show care, kindness, flexibility and respect to the people we serve, and we build self-confidence and self-respect into every child.
For more information, please refer to our All Are Welcome policy, or speak with me.
Sincerely,
Your Camp Director
IV. THE OPT-OUT PROCESS
Parents and guardians will notify us during registration of their background, using a simple check-box response.
☐ My child is from a Catholic background.
☐ My child is not from a Catholic background.
When the first box is checked, the registration process will proceed to gather other information as required.
When the second box is checked the registrant is shown this policy. The parent or guardian will be encouraged to contact the Camp Director before registering or at any time during camp if they wish to consult in more detail about their child’s opting out, or if they have questions.
If you wish to speak with Camp Director Katie Moncrieff, you may contact her at:
519-856-4671 camp.office@campbrebeuf.ca
For Camp Marydale contact Ian Fraser at: 905-528-0011 ext. 3601 ian.fraser@cyo.on.ca
Our counsellors are trained to care for participants and know that many participants are not Catholic and may provide alternative themes or alternative activities that are appropriate. Counselors are encouraged to discuss issues that arise with their supervisor.
Every child is free to respectfully observe, interpret, and participate in activities at a level suitable for them. In every case, we encourage parents and guardians to talk with us about the program and what their background means for their child. Opting out will be handled with confidentiality and respect.
V. COMMUNICATING OUR POLICY
This policy will be communicated through:
Registration process and follow-up discussions with parents/guardians
C.Y.O. websites
Program Guide, Camper Information Notes
Staff Training Materials
VI. IMPLEMENTATION AND REVIEW
This policy illustrates and describes how the Mission of the C.Y.O. as an agency of the Diocese of Hamilton will publicly embrace its practical commitment to hospitality, diversity, reconciliation, and respect in its recreational camp programs. It is to be adopted as C.Y.O. policy; reviewed annually; evaluated based on camper and parental feedback and updated as needed.
All Are Welcome Policy DRAFT v.3 August 14, 2025