What follows is a Commitment Contract between you and the Paths of Courage Healing Program. This means it is a contract between you and the other people in your program. Please read this contract from start to finish and consider each point carefully.

Paths of Courage isn’t easy. It isn’t meant to be. In fact, some of the satisfaction you’ll feel when your program is finished will be because it was difficult. You can expect to be challenged both emotionally and physically. You can also expect to feel strong, confident, independent, and resourceful.

We expect you will complete the course. We are confident you’re capable of handling everything a Paths of Courage Healing Program entails. At times, when it gets challenging, you may feel like quitting. Learning how to overcome these feelings is an important part of the program. Your facilitators will be there to encourage and support you.

Alcohol and drugs are not permitted: Any person found with alcohol or drugs on their person or in their possession will be asked to leave the program immediately.

We expect you to be respectful to everyone who is involved in our group.

We expect that you do not become exclusively and/or sexually involved with another member of your group. It is important that you get to know and are able to work with each member of your group. Coupling or cliques of two or three people tend to make others feel left out and create difficult group dynamics. As you will see, the program is a very intense group living experience, the more your group can do to help each member feel safe and valued, the more you will accomplish together.

We expect you to participate. This means taking part the best you can in all aspects of the program. This includes doing your share, co-operating, and listening to others. It also means participating in discussions, and respectfully speaking your mind. We are certain that you have important and thoughtful things to say.

We expect you to take care of yourself. You will learn to make yourself safe and comfortable in a new environment. You will feel more capable if you are careful to eat, drink, and sleep enough. Your facilitators will be there to support you.

We expect you take responsibility for your actions. You will learn how to deal with stressful situations, but part of the learning is sometimes making mistakes. Your facilitators will be there to support you and listen to you throughout the group experience.

We take this contract very seriously. If you feel ready to commit to this contract, print and sign your name and send it back with your document package.
I am aware of the activities I will be participating in while at PATHS OF COURAGE. This includes group therapy and numerous workshops, physical activities such as kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking, rock climbing, co-operating with my group members, performing my daily tasks, and listening to and respecting the decisions of my facilitators. I also understand that these activities are physically and mentally demanding.

As a participant at PATHS OF COURAGE HEALING AND RETREAT CENTRE, I will make a commitment to complete the entire Paths of Courage Healing Program, and to abstain from the use of drugs and alcohol.

I understand that during my participation in the PATHS OF COURAGE Healing Program I may be exposed to situations and environmental conditions where the stresses and hazards may be greater or different than those I normally encounter.

I understand too, that although PATHS OF COURAGE and THE SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTRE FOR QUINTE AND DISTRICT has taken precautions to provide proper organization, supervision, instruction, and equipment for each activity, circumstances may arise which are not foreseeable or which are beyond the control of The Centre.

I acknowledge that the centre cannot guarantee absolute safety. I also understand that I am, in part, responsible for my own safety and I agree to comply with the instructions and directions of the Healing Program staff members.

I fully comprehend and willingly assume the responsibilities and risks, including, but not limited to, any risks which are not foreseeable as part of participating in this program, as outlined in the orientation section of www.saqcd.com.

I have also accepted responsibility to verify that I do not have any physical or psychological problems that would impair my ability to participate in the program or would create undue risk to others or myself who may depend upon me during the program. In this regard, I have completed the PATHS OF COURAGE program Confidential Medical History form and I acknowledge that the centre will rely upon statements as to my medical conditions contained therein and herein.

I HAVE READ THIS FORM AND I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A CONDITION TO THE APPLICANT BEING ACCEPTED INTO THE PATHS OF COURAGE HEALING PROGRAM THAT I AGREE TO THE ABOVE STATED TERMS OF THIS FORM.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MISINFORMATION PROVIDED BY ME, THE APPLICANT, WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT MAY RESULT IN MY BEING DISQUALIFIED FROM THE PATHS OF COURAGE PROGRAM.

I (we) consent to the participation by the above-named applicant in the healing program. I (we) make the acknowledgements; assume the risks and responsibilities and release The Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District and Paths of Courage in accordance with this Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk, for and on behalf of myself (ourselves) and the above-named applicant.