NATURE DISCOVERY CAMP AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CENTER
PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSENT AGREEMENT AND WAIVER

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Before your child enrolls as a camper at Nature Discovery Camp this coming summer, we want to clearly communicate our commitment to safeguarding your child and provide as complete information as possible about the nature of the activities your child will be participating in. Please read the information presented on this page in its entirety. If you find the following information agreeable, we ask for your consent in the form of a digital signature on the camper registration form.

Our Commitment to Protecting Youth

NREF is dedicated to expanding access to environmental education to learners of all ages, including those under the age of 18. It is our responsibility and moral imperative to create safe spaces by protecting children and teens from abuse and exploitation and by taking necessary remedial action when children are in such situations. At NREF, we believe that child abuse is the business of anyone who knows about it. All NREF board members and representatives are trained in how to report and who to contact when any concern for child safety arises, no matter how seemingly small or trivial.

Security and Use of Personally Identifiable Information

We will never share you or your child’s personal data (full name, birth date, grade level, demographic information, phone numbers, home/mailing addresses) with anyone external to NREF. Your child is permitted to share their own contact information with other child campers as they deem appropriate.

Reporting Safety Concerns

In the event that your child experiences any kind of safety concern, you, your child, or any trusted individual is strongly encouraged to report that concern in any of the following ways:

  • Report the concern directly to an NREF board member you and your child know and trust.

  • File an anonymous report online using this form. The form will be sent directly to our info@nrefnj.org inbox which only executive board members may access.

NREF has a strict zero tolerance policy in connection with any form of retaliation against someone who has reported a concern in good faith. All concerns regarding the safety of a child are taken seriously, and retaliation or harassment will result in discipline against the harasser, up to and including discharge from the organization.

Consent Agreement and Waiver

BY REGISTERING MY CHILD FOR NATURE DISCOVERY CAMP AT THE LIGHTHOUSE CENTER (the "Program"), I, for myself, my heirs, successors and assigns, and all persons claiming through them (“Releasing Parties”), RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Natural Resource Education Foundation of New Jersey, Inc. (“NREF”), the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, and each of their Board of Directors members, employees, volunteers, agents, successors and assigns (“Released Parties”) from any causes of action, suits, liabilities, claims, losses, costs, expenses, and demands (including reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs) which the Releasing Parties may have or which may accrue, whether caused wholly or in part by the simple negligence, fault or other misconduct, other than intentional or grossly negligent conduct, of the Release Parties or other volunteers with respect to: (1) any bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death or property damage which arises or may hereafter arise from or in any way related to the activities my child will participate in as part of the Program, including, but not limited to, injuries from physical play, nature exploration activities, and interactions with other child campers, (“Activities”); (2) any first aid, medical treatment, travel, medical expenses, and/or service rendered in connection with the Activities; and (3) the Media, as defined below. I KNOWINGLY ASSUME THE RISK of injury, harm, and loss associated with Activities. I understand the Released Parties do not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide any assistance, including but not limited to: medical, health or disability insurance.

I understand that NREF will make every effort to contact me in the case of an emergency involving my child, and that if I am unable to be reached, efforts will be made to contact the persons listed as emergency contacts I have listed on the camper registration form. I consent to necessary emergency medical treatment and transportation to off-site emergency medicine facilities. I accept responsibility for the costs of all such medical treatment.

I understand that a 50% registration deposit is due at the time of registration to reserve my child’s spot at the Program. I understand that if I withdraw my child’s registration for the Program before March 31st 2026, I will receive a full refund of my registration deposit. I understand that if I withdraw my child’s registration for the Program between April 1st, 2026 and May 15th, 2026, I will receive a refund equal to half of my 50% registration deposit. I understand that I will be issued no refund should I withdraw my child’s registration for the Program after May 15th, or if my child is truant (“no-show”). I understand that payment in full is due by the following dates according to the weeks of the Program I have registered my child to participate in: June 8th for Weeks 1, 2, and 3; June 29th for Weeks 4, 5, and 6; July 20th for Weeks 7, 8, and 9.

I understand that my child may be dismissed from the Program in the event that I or my child fail to abide by the Program's health and safety protocols, disrupt, impede, or interfere with the operations of the Program, or threaten the health, safety, or welfare of other participants or Program staff, and that no refund of any fees will be made in such circumstances.

I authorize and consent to myself and/or my child to being photographed, and I grant the Released Parties the royalty-free right, title and interest in any and all photographs and video or audio recordings of or including my or my child’s image or voice (“Media”) made during Activities, including but not limited to: the right to use, modify, archive, publish, reproduce, and/or distribute such Media for any purpose, and hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the Media. I understand that, for privacy and safety purposes, NREF will not publish – to the internet or otherwise – any Media of my child participating in Program Activities until the conclusion of Week 9 of the 2026 summer session.

I, the parent or legal guardian of the child camper, agree to the terms of this Release with respect to the child camper, consent to the child camper’s participation in the Activities, and authorize and appoint the Released Party as agent to travel with my child camper only as is necessary to conduct the Activities or for medical treatment.