Recommendations
Upon hearing and listening to all sides of the story from all the actors in the drama, it is clear to me that the crisis that erupted in May could have been averted and that a crisis of this nature in the future can be averted as well.
The recommendations that are about to be made have their foundations in two bodies of wisdom. The first body which will be referred to is the common wisdom of philosophy, psychology and sociology and what has come to be known as the understanding of the helping professions. The second and primary body of wisdom is the Word of God. Since Dorion Bible Camp has its mission rooted in Christian beliefs and doctrines, any recommendations which would be of any significance would of necessity have to be founded in the Scriptures. The Holy Bible is not only the text for the campers to follow but is also the text for the Administration and Staff. Should there be any conflict between these two bodies of wisdom, it is understood that it would be the light of the Scriptures which would take precedence over the common wisdom of secular writings.
Common Understandings of the Helping Professions
It is commonly believed that there are five basic needs which all individuals possess. Human beings are gregarious by nature and tend to five in community. They are born into families, become married couples, attend school in classes and go to assemblies, meet in churches in congregations; they car pool on the way to work; they play on teams and work in groups and attend club meetings and so on. A wholesome individual in community is a product of the extent to which the individual and the group are able to meet the five basic needs. When any one or more of the basic needs is perceived to be threatened or at risk or is essentially unmet, a crisis win likely occur in the individual and in the community. Although it is the individual that has needs, these needs are not met privately but are met in community. Individuals are expected to behave responsibly in the community and the community is expected to be a reasonable place where these needs can be met.
The Basic Needs
Safety... The need for emotional and physical safety for yourself and others.
Trust ... The need to rely on your own judgement... the need to know that your choices count and the need to rely on others as well.
Control ... The need for self-control and self-discipline and the need to have some influence and impact on others.
Significance ... The need to value what you feel, think and believe and the need to value others.
Belonging ... The need to know and accept your own thoughts and feelings and the need to be known and accepted by others.
Each need is expressed in two ways and in two dimensions; there is a private and personal side and there is also a public and inter-personal side.