THE ADTC DIVERSITY

What is Diversity?

Diversity is the mosaic of people who bring a variety of backgrounds, styles, perspectives, beliefs, and abilities as assets to ADTC groups and individuals with whom they interact.

What is DiverCity?

"DiverCity" (yes - we meant to spell it with a "C") is where we live at camp - an actual place (your city of residence for the summer!) where campers and staff of different backgrounds, styles, perspectives, beliefs, and competencies live as a community.

We Are All Diverse: The Dimensions of Diversity

• We are all similar and different on a variety of dimensions, which make each of us unique.
• We all have learned societal biases about others' dimensions that need to be acknowledged and transcended through learning, compassion, forgiveness and healing
• Tertiary dimensions of diversity are invisible at first glance. They include such differences as personality traits, learning styles, work style, task orientation, thinking style, management abilities, attention to detail, time management - anything that makes each of us different from the other.

Things We Do at ADTC to Teach Campers to Value Diversity

• Counselors will incorporate diversity activities such as icebreakers, idea sharing, experiencing exclusion, giving feedback, appreciating others, and so on into their daily time with campers.
• Our international staff are a rich resource for information and awareness about cultural diversity.
• Dance Discussions and Team Meetings each day will focus on diversity by stressing the Platinum Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated. The Platinum Rule, an update of Golden Rules (...as you want...), gives others permission to be different from us, and reminds us to honor that difference.
• The core values of ADTC: Appreciation (respect, acceptance, tolerance) and Caring (compassion, kindness) give counselors many opportunities to address the topic of diversity with campers in a variety of situations.
• Counselors are encouraged to look for "teachable moments" when they can celebrate differences and help campers understand that the differences people bring to ADTC are valuable assets.