By accepting this reservation, Guest hereby waives, releases and discharges and covenants not to sue Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre for all claims and liability for personal injury, accidents, property damage, any other claim arising out of or in connection with Guests’ use of the Rental/Property. Further, Guest agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre from all losses, claims, expenses and demands, including attorneys’ fees, that Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre may incur arising out of or in connection with Guests’ use of the Rental/Property. Guest further agrees to be responsible and liable for the actions and safety of every person in their group. Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre reserves the right to remove any renter, occupant or guest who is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sexual offender registration program.

Management shall not be held liable or responsible for non-utilization of package components or loss of recreational opportunities due to weather or any other circumstances beyond our control.

Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre or its management bears no responsibility for any loss or damage to any person or property, or thing howsoever caused.

The management reserves the right to evict any day user, guest, camper or group of campers for any cause.

‘Maple Grove Foundations’ includes some ‘basic’ information that is relevant to guests, lot leaseholders, employees and leadership/Board members alike.

This information supplements other more specific documents/manuals:

MG Guest Registration (online)
MG Lot Lease Handbook
MG Employee Handbook
MG Leadership Handbook
MG Board Policy Manual
MG By-Laws

… and we ask that you start here, with this document.

Maple Grove Policies, Standards and Guidelines – as outlined in this document - are designed to ensure a positive, consistent and lasting impression of Maple Grove, which includes both the physical structures and the people that inhabit and use them.

Section 2: Maple Grove Mission

Maple Grove exists to facilitate ministries that make and grow disciples of Jesus Christ.

Section 3: Vision Statement

A Christian Community sharing the love of Christ.

Striving to make a positive impact.

Section 4: Our Heritage

The Camp Grounds Association of the West Ontario Conference of the Free Methodist Church was developed by Free Methodists in 1947. It was to be a permanent site on which members and adherents of Free Methodist Churches could carry on a longstanding tradition of evangelistic Camp Meetings and deepen relationships with Jesus Christ through camping ministries.

The Camp name has changed a few times over the years; Permanent Camp Ground of the West Ontario Conference, then Thamesford Bible Camp and finally Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre.

Maple Grove continues to enjoy a strong, fraternal relationship with the Free Methodist Church in Canada (FMCIC). Although Maple Grove is legally independent of the Free Methodist church, the relationship continues because a strong contingent of Maple Grove’s voting members have FM ‘roots’.

The evangelical heritage of the Free Methodist Church, in which Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre originated and currently functions, is consistent with the broader evangelical Christian community. In Canada, this broader heritage is represented by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), and the FMCIC is an EFC member.

Although the core focus of Maple Grove has historically been the Free Methodist constituency (serving the local FM Churches), we also interact extensively with Christians from other evangelical heritages. Therefore, the EFC Statement of Faith has been adopted as the basis for written agreements with the Board of Directors, Committee Members, employees, volunteers, Lot Leaseholders, and other Christian organizations.

Section 5: Statement of Faith

We believe …

The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God are divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and constitute the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; we affirm His virgin birth, sinless humanity, divine miracles, bodily resurrection, ascension, ongoing mediatory work, and personal return in power and glory.

The salvation of lost and sinful humanity is possible only through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, received by faith apart from works, and is characterized by regeneration by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit enables believers to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church, the Body of Christ, consists of all true believers.

Ultimately God will judge the living and the dead, those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

Section 6: Camp Operating Policies

Minors & Adult Supervision

A parent or adult guardian must accompany minors under 18 years of age when staying on the grounds.

Values

Profanity, obscenity and disrespectful language are not tolerated.
Use of alcohol, tobacco products and recreational drugs are not permitted on Maple Grove property.

Vehicles

Camp speed is 15 km/hour. Drivers must exercise extreme care because the grounds are designated a pedestrian area. All drivers on Camp property must be properly licensed, including golf carts, and insured. The number of passengers on a golf cart must correspond with the number of seats on the golf cart.
Dirt bikes, ATVs and similar vehicles are prohibited on Camp property.
After 11 PM, it is suggested that you park at the front of the grounds.

Bicycles

Bicycles are permitted on the grounds and must be used in a safe manner. Bicycles are not allowed in The Square. Bicycles are not to be used after dark for your safety and the safety of others.
Parents or adult guardians are responsible to ensure approved safety helmets are worn by anyone 18 years of age or younger.
Pedestrians are given the right of way.

Campfires

Campfires must be supervised by a responsible adult and in a properly constructed fire pit.
Young children should be kept at a safe distance.
Fires must not be left unattended and must be put out properly and thoroughly before leaving the fire pit area.

Pool

Children aged 12 and under require adult supervision (18 or older) when at the Pool.
It is expected that swimmers and sun-bathers obey the Lifeguard(s) authority at all times. Please be sure to read and follow all Pool rules posted there.
Swimsuits may be worn only at the Pool; cover-ups/shirts should be worn to and from the Pool area.
An Emergency phone is available at the Pool area.

Pets

Visitors are encouraged NOT to bring pets on the grounds.

Visitors are NOT permitted to have pets in Maple Grove owned rentals.

Garbage Disposal

Household garbage must be appropriately bagged before being deposited in the garbage dumpsters located behind the Dining Hall.
Recycling is strongly encouraged; bins for plastics, glass and cans are located by the garbage dumpsters behind the Dining Hall.
There is a Dumpster designated for cardboard; cardboard must be flattened first.
Leaves must be taken to the designated leaf dump area behind the Pool and Pavilion.

Large/non-bagged items (e.g. furniture, appliances, etc.) must be hauled away at the owner’s expense.

NOTE: Salford Dump is located at 384060 Salford Road, ON N0J 1W0 (519.539.9800)

Quiet Time

Quiet time is to be observed from 11 PM to 8 AM.
Radios, sound equipment, televisions etc. must be kept at an inoffensive volume.

Sunday – A Day of Rest

Sunday is a day of rest. Please refrain from any activity on Sunday that detracts from worship, relaxation and quietness.
All campers are strongly encouraged to attend services.

Section 7: Code of Conduct

In our interactions at Maple Grove, we strive to nurture Christ-like qualities, be good neighbours, and live in harmony.

Biblical Foundations

The foundational strategy for human relationships at Maple Grove is based on the Golden Rule, as stated by Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:12 (NIV): “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”.

Lot Leaseholders and visitors alike are encouraged to establish spiritual disciplines needed to maintain and promote relationship with God; essential to effective service to Jesus Christ. Such spiritual disciplines include prayer, Bible study, and sharing of one’s faith and beliefs with others.

Lifestyle Statement

We exist to honour God and respect all persons physically and spiritually as created beings made in the image of God. Therefore, we encourage all persons to remain chaste in singleness and faithful in marriage based on the biblical model (Genesis 1:27).

Maple Grove Safe Policy (abuse prevention policy)

~changed from Plan to Protect.

Maple Grove adheres to Maple Grove Safe Policy and protocols appropriate to our Camping Ministries.

Conflict Resolution & Restored Relationships

At Maple Grove, we come together from different places, backgrounds, family dynamics and so on. Our living spaces here are typically smaller, and we share a lot of ‘public’ spaces as well. While we strive to live in harmony, there may be occasions when conflicts arise. “When managed biblically, conflict can serve as a catalyst for change and an opportunity for spiritual and relational growth.” *

* Yerkes, Mary J. (2008, February 1). Conflict Resolution. Focusonthefamily.com.

www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/conflict-resolution

Consider these actions to address and resolve the issue:

Define the problem and stick to the issue.
Consider the ‘other’ point-of-view and any way you may have contributed to the problem.
Plan a time to discuss.
Avoid gossiping about the situation.

Affirm the relationship.

Address the specific behaviour, not character.

Listen carefully.

Confirm the message(s) of each party.

Forgive.

“Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32, MSG

Discuss potential solutions, compromises and/or accommodations – that keep everyone’s best interests in mind …

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:4-5, NIV

Grievance Process

In the event a conflict between Lot Lease Holders cannot be resolved:

A written request should be submitted to the Camp Office or Designate (see ‘Bullying Policy - Authority’, following page); details should be provided so that the appropriate personnel can review.
The Designate will review/discuss the submission with each of the persons involved.
Every effort will be made by the Designate to provide a written response within 30 days maximum which will consider all factors; the decision rendered by the Designate will be considered final.

Bullying Policy

As Maple Grove seeks to fulfill its mission to ‘facilitate ministries that make and grow disciples of Jesus Christ’, we desire to foster an atmosphere where people feel safe from the stresses of the world, and from behaviour that may be harmful physically, emotionally and/or spiritually.

DEFINITION OF BULLYING:

Bullying is the intentional targeting, in any manner, by an individual or individuals, in an attempt to intimidate, cause harm or gain undue control over a person or group.

Activities seen as bullying or used to bully others include, but are not limited to:

Repeated name-calling
Making fun of, or belittling a person
Repeatedly causing intentional emotional or mental distress
Using negative or insulting language to others about a person
Uttering a threat to inflict bodily harm
Threatening to continue harassing, or targeting behaviours in any manner
Inflicting bodily harm
Vandalism

AUTHORITY:

Within the ministries of Maple Grove there exist a number of different relationships that Maple Grove holds with various groups on the grounds. Identifying who should be the Designate authority within the context of who is involved is prudent.

Maple Grove will be the authority when dealing with bullying issues brought to the Camp Leadership during Maple Grove-run Camps. This is especially important when minors are involved without the benefit of parents being present, such as during Kids' or Teen Camps.
Maple Grove will be the authority in dealing with bullying from outside agents.

When Guest Groups are on the grounds, their Leadership will be the authority over their own adherents; they are responsible for the conduct of their adherents and for resolving any conflicts that may arise within their own group.
If conflicts arise between a Guest Group and other campers on Maple Grove grounds, Maple Grove will be the authority when resolving these conflicts.
Maple Grove understands that if an alleged bullying victim or the parent or guardian of an alleged bullying victim who is a minor chooses to seek other remedies, it is within their right to do so.

RESOLUTION:

Please refer to the ‘Conflict Resolution’ section. And when dealing with incidents involving the vulnerable sector, care must be taken to follow Plan to Protect policies and protocols.

Resolution where both parties come to an agreed-upon solution is the desirable outcome. In such cases where this cannot be achieved, or the continued safety of the individual is at risk or the integrity of Maple Grove is at risk, other solutions may be necessary. These solutions may include, but are not limited to:

Short term isolation of involved parties from each other
Removal of offending party from Campground
Where appropriate, Maple Grove may choose to involve outside law enforcement or Social Service Agencies to intercede on behalf of Maple Grove or those involved in an incident*
In extreme cases, removal of Lot Leaseholder privileges

*If outside law enforcement or Social Service Agencies are involved by the alleged victim or their parents /guardians, it will be necessary for Maple Grove Leadership to remove itself from communication with either side and allow the Agency or Agencies to investigate the claim.

By accepting these Terms & Conditions, you agree to Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre's Statement of Faith:

We believe:

The Holy Scriptures as originally given by God are divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and constitute the only supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh; we affirm His virgin birth, sinless humanity, divine miracles, bodily resurrection, ascension, ongoing mediatory work, and personal return in power and glory.
The salvation of lost and sinful humanity is possible only through the merits of the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, received by faith apart from works, and is characterized by regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit enables believers to live a holy life, to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church, the Body of Christ, consists of all true believers.
Ultimately God will judge the living and the dead, those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.

COVID Policy

Maple Grove Christian Retreat Centre, Thamesford, Ontario