RESTORATIVE JUSTICE INITATIVES

Restorative Practices is a social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals and their communities. Restorative Practices includes an approach to conflict that is called Restorative Justice, this is opposite from zero tolerance and other punitive measures that push kids out of school or further marginalize under-resourced and underrepresented communities. Restorative justice aims to see conflict as an opportunity for innovation and connection. And a way to heal harm, mitigate future harm and build community. 

RACIAL JUSTICE AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Both movements share common goals of addressing systemic inequalities, promoting inclusivity, and challenging structures that perpetuate discrimination. 

Disproportionate Impact on Marginalized Communities: 

Racial justice recognizes the historical and systemic discrimination faced by marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Restorative justice acknowledges that these communities often bear a disproportionate impact of punitive measures within the criminal justice system.

Community Involvement:

Restorative justice often involves community participation in the resolution process. Racial justice advocates for community engagement and empowerment to challenge and change discriminatory practices. Both approaches value community involvement as a means of creating lasting change.

SUMMER PROGRAMING

Each summer youth gather at camp to engage in restorative practices to collaboratively find solutions to conflict, to develop humble curiosity as they learn about those that are different from them, to take personal responsibility for the impact of their decisions on the community, and believe in unbounded creativity as we explore and discover the world of possibilities around them.  

Stomping Ground brings kids from different backgrounds, racial identities, and economic circumstances together to connect, share, learn and grow. Stomping Ground is committed to a trust-based sliding payment scale and we have developed an extensive network of partnerships to make camp accessible to all families and communities.  

Opening Village Circle at Camp Stomping Ground

TRAINING AND CONSULTING 

Camp leadership has trained over 100 other camp directors and youth professionals in how to incorporate Restorative practices into their programing. 

Since 2019 Stomping Ground leadership has partnered with The Summer Camp Society to train youth professionals from around the world on how to incorporate Restorative Practices into their communities both to build community and to solve conflict.

School Specific Partnerships:

  • Rochester City School District. - worked with RCSD staff and community partners to facilitate a day long workshop for Roc Restorative staff and administrators

  • Hosted 3 day retreat for students and faculty from RCSD in fall of 2022

  • BELA (Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy) Hosted each class in the highschool for a 3 day 2 night retreat on camp that featured RJ workshops and community building

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND ENGAGEMENT 

Stomping Ground is currently engaging with Saratoga community leaders to incorporate Restorative Practices to engage the community on a larger scale.  


Stomping Ground is currently drafting proposals to bring local kids from surrounding school districts to camp to learn about restorative methods and how they might be incorporated into classrooms. This is all in an effort to address the current discipline structures that highlight injustice. 


ONGOING COLLABORATIONS

Restorative Justice Conference - https://restorativejusticeconference.com/

MLK Saratoga- RJ community forum

Saratoga Springs City council RJ panel 

Fredrick Allen Lodge - RJ and youth training

Saratoga Youth Safe Space - RJ, team building, and youth training

MDOCS- Skidmore co- creation collaborative

WRITTEN WORK