Code of Conduct

Respect & Inclusion

Camp Pawprint welcomes attendees of all backgrounds, body types, species (fur or otherwise), relationship structures, identities, and walks of life. The furry community is beautifully diverse — our event should reflect that.

What we expect

• Treat every attendee with dignity, regardless of their identity, appearance, or how they engage with the community.
• Use the pronouns and names people give you. If you're unsure, ask politely or use neutral language.
• Welcome newcomers and be patient with people experiencing their first furry event.
• Respect personal boundaries — physical and otherwise — at all times.

What is not acceptable

• Harassment of any kind — verbal, physical, or digital — directed at any attendee.
• Discriminatory remarks or behaviour based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, body size, or any other characteristic.
• Deliberately misgendering or deadnaming someone after being corrected.
• Threatening or intimidating behaviour.

Consent & Physical Contact

Physical consent is non-negotiable. This applies to people, fursuits, and personal belongings equally.

• Always ask before touching someone, hugging them, or handling their fursuit.
• A "no," a hesitation, or silence means no. Only an enthusiastic, clear "yes" is consent.
• Consent can be withdrawn at any time. Respect this immediately.
• Do not touch someone's fursuit head without explicit permission. Fursuit heads are expensive and personal.
• Do not take or handle personal belongings without asking.
• A person in suit is still a person. The suit doesn't change their boundaries.

Public Behaviour

We are guests at Paul Lake Provincial Park. Our behaviour reflects on the furry community as a whole. We want to be welcomed back — and we want to create a friendly, safe environment for everyone attending.

• Keep all public activity safe for work and suitable for general audiences.
• Be friendly, polite, and a positive presence for non-attendees who encounter us.
• No public sexual activity or explicit behaviour in shared spaces.
• No NSFW artwork, signage, or suit markings visible in public areas.
• What you do in the privacy of your own tent, between consenting adults, is your own business — just keep it private and discreet.
• Keep noise to a reasonable level, especially late at night. Other campers need to sleep too.

Fursuits & Props

Fursuits are welcome and celebrated at Camp Pawprint. With that comes responsibility for safe suiting in an outdoor environment.

• Do not wear a fursuit around open flames or campfires! Artificial fur is highly flammable.
• Radiant heat from a campfire can damage or ignite a suit without direct contact. Keep your distance even if you think you're far enough away.
• Suit safely: bring a handler or suit buddy when needed, keep suit time short in the heat, and stay hydrated.
• All suit characters and props displayed publicly must be SFW.
• No explicit, sexually-suggestive, or grossly offensive suit markings or characters in public areas.
• Prop weapons (foam swords, etc.) must be clearly non-realistic. No realistic-looking replica weapons.
• If you are feeling overheated or unwell in suit, dehead immediately. Your safety comes first.

Substances

This is a hard line.

• No illegal drugs or controlled substances. Full stop. No exceptions. This will result in immediate removal and may result in a report to BC Parks or law enforcement.
• Alcohol is permitted for adults (19+ in BC). Drink responsibly. Know your limits.
• Do not offer alcohol to others without knowing they want it. Never pressure anyone to drink.
• Marijuana is legal in BC but not allowed at this event due to park regulations. The smell can also be a common trigger for trauma survivors.
• Intoxicated behaviour that disturbs, endangers, or makes others uncomfortable will result in removal.
• If you or someone you know needs help related to substance use, speak to event staff confidentially. We will prioritise safety over punishment in genuine emergencies.

The Environment

Paul Lake is a protected provincial park. We are required by law — and by ethics — to leave it better than we found it.

• Leave No Trace. Pack out everything you pack in. No exceptions.
• No littering anywhere in the park, including natural waste.
• Follow all BC Parks fire regulations. If there is a fire ban in effect, there are zero exceptions.
• Respect wildlife. Do not approach, feed, or antagonise non-attending animals — this includes wild bears, deer, birds, and everything else.
• Store all food properly per bear-safe guidelines. Ask organisers about food storage procedures on arrival.
• Stay on established trails and camp in designated areas only.

Safety

• In a medical emergency or immediate danger: call 911 first. Then notify event staff.
• Report safety concerns, injuries, or incidents to event staff immediately. We'd rather know than not.
• Look out for fellow campers — especially around water, in the heat, or after dark.
• Make sure someone knows your emergency contact details.
• Disclose relevant medical information to a trusted friend at the event in case of emergency.

Reporting Violations

If you experience or witness a Code of Conduct violation, you have several options:

• All reports are taken seriously and handled with discretion.
• We will endeavour to protect the privacy of the person reporting.
• Both sides of an incident will be given an opportunity to be heard where possible.
• Deliberately false reports made in bad faith are themselves a violation of this Code of Conduct.

Enforcement

Event staff have the authority to respond to Code of Conduct violations. Responses may include:

• Verbal warning — for minor or first-time issues
• Formal warning — written record of the incident
• Temporary removal — asked to leave the shared areas for a period
• Immediate removal — for serious violations; no refund will be issued
• Ban from future events — for egregious or repeated violations