CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS · 216 Marengo St Ste I, Florence - 35630-6034, United States (US) · Effective October 30, 2026
These Terms of Service describe the conditions under which CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS offers its website and its riverside care camp. By using the site, contacting the desk or attending a service crossing, a person agrees to the terms set out below. The camp is operated from 216 Marengo St Ste I, Florence - 35630-6034, United States (US), and questions about these terms may be sent to contracts@wicpdays.org or raised by phone at +18066399303.
1. Acceptance of These Terms
A person who visits the website, sends a message to the camp desk or attends a service crossing agrees to these terms. If a person does not agree, that person should not use the website and should not attend a camp service. These terms apply alongside the privacy policy, and the two documents should be read together because they describe different sides of the same relationship.
Acceptance does not require a signature or a form. Ordinary use of the site or the camp is enough. A guest who comes to the desk and asks for a meal, a ride or a wellness check is treated as having read these terms, and the desk will explain any point that a guest finds unclear before service begins.
A parent or guardian who brings a child to the camp accepts these terms on behalf of the child to the extent that the law allows. The camp does not ask a child to enter into a separate agreement, and the guardian remains responsible for the conduct of the child at the camp.
2. About the Camp
CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS runs a riverside care camp in Florence, Alabama, from its camp office at 216 Marengo St Ste I, Florence - 35630-6034, United States (US). The camp is a community care effort built around six service crossings: the Day Program Desk, Shelter Coordination Rounds, Family Outreach Weeks, Meal Service Days, Wellness Check Sessions and Drive Logistics Evenings. The camp motto is Wade the shoal. Raft the supplies. Open the gate.
The camp is not a hospital, a law firm, a housing authority or an emergency service. It is a place where a person can be met, listened to and walked across to firmer ground. Where a need falls outside the reach of the camp, the team says so plainly and tries to identify a partner who can help.
The descriptions on the website are provided to help a person decide whether the camp is the right place to start. They are not a promise of a particular result, and they do not replace the conversation that happens at the desk when a guest arrives with a specific situation.
3. Eligibility and Use
The camp welcomes adults and families in the Florence area without regard to background, faith, income or housing status. A person may use the website without providing any information. A person who attends a service crossing may be asked for a name and a way to contact them, and may decline to give either if the crossing can still be delivered.
A person under the age of eighteen should attend the camp with a parent or guardian, or with the knowledge and permission of a guardian. A minor who arrives alone is offered a meal or a safe waiting place while the desk tries to reach a guardian. The camp does not transport an unaccompanied minor without a guardian consent recorded in the ledger.
The camp may decline a request that is outside the scope of its work, that would place a guest or volunteer at risk, or that would require a license the camp does not hold. A refusal is explained in plain language and, where possible, paired with a referral to a service that can meet the need.
4. The Six Service Crossings
Each crossing is offered under its own conditions, and a guest is told which conditions apply before the crossing begins. The Day Program Desk is staffed during posted hours and provides orientation, a supply ledger and a plan for the day. The desk does not hold money, keep personal documents overnight or act as a mail drop unless a written arrangement is recorded by the camp lead.
Shelter Coordination Rounds depend on the availability of partner shelters and rooming houses. The camp confirms a bed before sending a guest to a door, but the camp cannot guarantee that a partner will keep a space open if the guest does not arrive within the agreed window. Family Outreach Weeks run on a booked schedule and may be rescheduled when weather or staffing makes a visit unsafe.
Meal Service Days provide food on a first come basis while supplies last, with cold bags packed for guests who ask. Wellness Check Sessions are limited to simple readings, basic guidance and referral, and never replace care from a licensed provider. Drive Logistics Evenings arrange rides within the service area described later in these terms, subject to driver availability and road conditions. A fuller description of each crossing appears on the services page.
5. Scheduling and Availability
The camp desk is staffed Monday to Friday during office hours, and each crossing follows a weekly rhythm that is posted at the camp and on the contact page. The desk aims to answer a message within one business day. Requests that arrive on a weekend or a holiday are read on the next business day, and a ride request that arrives after the Saturday evening window is placed on the following week route.
Availability can change without notice because of weather, staffing, a supply shortage or a partner closure. When a crossing is cancelled, the desk tries to contact every person who is booked. A guest is encouraged to call ahead at +18066399303 before making a long trip, because a short call prevents a wasted morning.
The camp does not charge a fee for a reservation and does not accept a payment to secure a place in a line. A guest who is offered a paid shortcut by someone claiming to represent the camp should refuse it and report the offer to the camp lead.
6. Guest Conduct at the Camp
The camp is a shared space, and the safety of every guest depends on ordinary courtesy. Guests are expected to treat the crew and one another with respect, to keep the shed and the tables clean, and to follow the instructions of a camp member during a meal line, a wellness session or a vehicle boarding.
The following conduct is not permitted at the camp: threats or violence, harassment of a guest or volunteer, possession of a weapon contrary to law, use of illegal substances on camp grounds, and any behavior that prevents the crew from serving others. The camp may ask a person to leave and may involve local authorities when a situation cannot be resolved safely.
A guest who damages camp property may be asked to help repair or replace it in a manner the camp considers fair. The camp prefers a conversation and a repair to a penalty, and it will always record the incident and the resolution so that the next shift is not surprised by an unexplained change.
7. Meal Service Conditions
Meals are prepared in the camp kitchen under a written food safety routine, and the crew records temperatures and handling steps for every service. A guest with an allergy or a dietary restriction should tell the desk before the line opens so that a suitable plate can be set aside. The camp cannot promise that a kitchen is free of every allergen, and a guest with a severe allergy should speak with the crew before eating.
Food is served at the posted time and in portions that the crew judges fair for the number of guests expected. A guest may ask for a cold bag to take away, and the crew will provide one while supplies last. Leftovers are cooled, labeled and stored according to the kitchen routine, and food that is past its safe window is discarded rather than served.
The camp does not sell food and does not accept payment at the meal line. A guest who wishes to contribute to the kitchen may speak with the camp lead about donating supplies, and the lead will explain what is useful and what is not. Donated food is inspected before it is accepted, and a donation that cannot be used safely is declined with thanks.
8. Wellness Session Limits
Wellness Check Sessions are offered by a nurse and a community health worker who volunteer their time. The sessions provide simple readings such as blood pressure, basic guidance on medication questions and help finding a clinic that accepts the coverage a guest holds. The camp does not diagnose a condition, does not prescribe a medication and does not provide treatment.
A reading taken at the camp is a snapshot and not a medical record for any other provider. A guest who wishes to share a reading with a clinic may ask for a written note, and the note will state plainly that it was taken at the camp on a given day. The camp keeps its own wellness records separate from the desk ledger as described in the privacy policy.
A guest who is experiencing an emergency should call 911 rather than wait for a camp session. The camp will help a guest make that call and will not delay an emergency response while searching for a camp record. Wellness services at the camp are a complement to professional care, never a substitute for it.
9. Drive Logistics and Ride Rules
Rides are arranged within the Florence and Muscle Shoals area, and a route beyond that area is considered case by case. A guest who requests a ride provides a pickup address, an appointment time and a phone number. The guest agrees to be ready at the pickup point at the agreed time and to inform the desk as soon as a plan changes.
Drivers are volunteers who have submitted the licensing and record details that the camp requires before a route is assigned. A driver may end a ride if a passenger behaves in an unsafe manner, and the camp will not penalize a driver for making that judgment. Seat belts are required for every passenger, and a child safety seat is provided only when the camp has confirmed the need in advance.
The camp does not operate a taxi service and cannot guarantee a ride for every request. If a ride cannot be filled, the desk tells the guest before the evening ends so that another plan can be made. A guest who repeatedly cancels without notice may be asked to confirm each future ride by phone on the day, and the camp will explain the reason for that change.
10. Shelter Placement Conditions
Shelter placements are made with partner shelters and rooming houses that have agreed to work with the camp. A placement is confirmed only after a coordinator has checked the space during the shelter rounds. The guest receives a card with the address, the contact name and the rules that apply at the door, and the guest is responsible for arriving within the agreed window.
A partner may set its own conditions for a stay, including a curfew, a length of stay, a sobriety rule or a requirement to meet with a case worker. The camp explains these conditions before a guest accepts a placement and does not send a guest to a space whose rules have not been described. If a guest decides that a placement is not suitable, the camp will try again as soon as another space is confirmed.
The camp is not the landlord of a partner shelter and does not control the day to day management of a stay. A dispute about a stay is handled between the guest and the shelter, with the camp available to help with communication when both sides agree. The camp records the outcome of a placement so that patterns can be understood and future matches improved.
11. Referrals and Partner Services
The camp refers guests to clinics, shelters, schools and agencies that may be able to meet a need the camp cannot. A referral is not a guarantee of service. The partner makes its own decision about eligibility, fees and timing, and the camp cannot override that decision.
When the camp makes a referral, the guest is told which partner will be contacted and what information will be shared. The guest may ask the camp to share less, to share nothing and simply provide the partner address, or to send the referral only after the guest has spoken with the partner directly. The camp will follow the guest preference in every case where the law allows it.
The camp welcomes feedback about a partner. If a referral leads to a poor experience, a guest may tell the desk, and the camp lead will review the partnership. A partner that repeatedly fails the people referred to it may be removed from the camp list, and the camp will explain the change to guests when it affects a service they were expecting.
12. Volunteers and Drivers
Volunteers serve at will and may stop at any time. A volunteer agrees to attend the briefing before the first shift, to follow the written notes for each role, and to respect the privacy of every guest. A volunteer who handles food agrees to follow the kitchen routine and to report any illness that could affect food safety.
Drivers agree to keep their license and record current, to carry the insurance that the law requires, to decline a route when they are not fit to drive, and to report any change in their record promptly. A driver who transports a guest for the camp does so as a volunteer and not as an employee, and the camp will explain the insurance position of the camp before the first route is assigned.
Volunteers and drivers may be asked to sign a short acknowledgment that they have read these terms and the privacy policy. The acknowledgment is kept with the volunteer record for the period described in the privacy policy. A volunteer who has a concern about the conduct of another volunteer may raise it with the camp lead in confidence.
13. Use of the Website
The website may be used to learn about the camp, to read the services page, to send a message through the contact form and to find the camp address and phone number. A person may print a page for personal use and may share a link with a neighbor who needs the camp. The site is offered as it is, and the camp does not promise that every page will be available without interruption.
A person may not attempt to interfere with the operation of the site, to gain access to an account that does not belong to that person, to submit automated messages, or to use the contact form to send advertising, threats or unlawful content. The camp may block a source that abuses the site and may report a serious abuse to the hosting provider or to the authorities.
The camp works to keep the information on the site accurate, including hours, address and contact details. When an error is discovered, the camp corrects it as soon as practical. A guest who notices an error is welcome to report it at contracts@wicpdays.org, and the camp will thank the person for the care.
14. Content and Intellectual Property
The text, layout, illustrations and code of the website belong to CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS or are used with permission. The design and the words are provided for the purpose of describing the camp and are not offered for commercial reuse. A person may quote a short passage with credit to the camp when the quote is accurate and does not imply an endorsement.
The name CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS and the camp motto are used to identify the camp and should not be adopted by another organization in a way that could confuse a guest about who is providing a service. The camp will raise a concern directly with another organization before taking any formal step, because a conversation is usually faster and kinder than a dispute.
A guest retains ownership of anything the guest writes or creates. When a guest agrees to let the camp use a story or an image, the agreement states where the material will appear and how it may be withdrawn. Written consent is kept with the camp record, and the material is removed promptly when the consent is withdrawn.
15. Donations and Contributions
The camp accepts in kind contributions such as food supplies, bedding, socks and hygiene items when the items can be used safely. The camp examines every donation before it is accepted and declines anything that is expired, damaged or unsuitable. A donor who wishes to contribute money should speak with the camp lead first so that the right process and the right receipt can be arranged.
A donation does not purchase influence over a service decision. The camp does not reserve a place in a meal line, a shelter match or a ride route in exchange for a contribution. A donor who is also a guest is served on the same terms as every other guest, and the desk records any potential conflict so that it can be managed openly.
The camp thanks its donors in a general way and does not publish a donor name without permission. A donor who prefers to remain unnamed is recorded as anonymous, and the camp respects that choice in every list and note. Questions about a receipt or a contribution may be sent to contracts@wicpdays.org or raised by phone at +18066399303.
16. Privacy and Records
The camp handles personal information according to the privacy policy published on this site. That policy explains what the camp collects, why it is collected, how long it is kept and how a person can ask for access or correction. These terms refer to the policy and do not replace it, and a conflict between the two is resolved in favor of the privacy policy for questions that concern personal information.
A guest who provides information about another person should have that person permission to do so. The camp will not add a third party to a record without a reasonable basis, and it will remove an entry when the person named asks for removal and no legal duty requires the record to stay. This protects both the person named and the guest who made the request.
Records are kept in a locked cabinet and in protected accounts as described in the privacy policy. A guest who is concerned about a record may ask to review it at the camp office with the camp lead present. The camp will schedule the review within a reasonable time and will provide a written answer to any correction request.
17. No Guarantee of Outcome
The camp does its best work, and it does not promise a particular result. A bed may not be available, a driver may be ill, a clinic may be full and a meal line may run short. When one of these things happens, the desk says so honestly and tries to offer the next best option rather than a vague reassurance.
A referral, a placement or a ride that is arranged by the camp is arranged in good faith on the basis of the information available at the time. The camp cannot guarantee the conduct of a partner, the condition of a partner building, the driving of another road user or the outcome of a medical appointment. A guest should make the decision that feels safe for that guest.
The camp welcomes a report when something goes wrong. A report helps the camp correct a practice and improve the next crossing for someone else. The camp will not retaliate against a person who raises a concern in good faith, and it will record the concern and the response so that the lesson is not lost.
18. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS is not liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages that arise from the use of the website or from participation in a camp service. This includes a lost opportunity, a missed appointment or a delay caused by traffic, weather or the availability of a volunteer.
Nothing in these terms limits a liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including a liability for fraud or for injury caused by gross negligence. The camp carries the insurance that it can reasonably obtain and will cooperate with a guest who needs to make a claim. A guest should report an injury or a loss at the camp as soon as possible so that the facts can be recorded while they are fresh.
The website is provided as it is and as available. The camp does not warrant that the site will be free of error or that a link will always work. The camp will correct a known error and repair a broken link when it is reported, and it treats the report as a favor rather than a complaint.
19. Indemnity
A person who uses the website or attends a camp service agrees to hold the camp and its volunteers harmless from a claim that arises from that person unlawful conduct, from a misuse of the site or from a breach of these terms. This does not apply to a claim that arises from the camp own negligence or from conduct that the law does not allow a person to waive.
A volunteer or driver agrees to hold the camp harmless for a claim that arises from a failure to follow the written notes for a role, from a false statement on an application or from an action taken outside the scope of an assigned task. The camp will provide a copy of the relevant note when a question arises, so that the expectation is clear to everyone.
The camp will give prompt notice to a person facing a claim that may involve an indemnity under these terms. The camp does not control the defense of a claim that belongs to another party, but it will cooperate and share the records that are relevant to the matter.
20. Refusal and Termination
The camp may refuse or end a service when a guest behaves in a way that endangers others, when a request falls outside the scope of the camp, or when a continued service would require a resource the camp does not have. A refusal is explained in plain language and, where possible, paired with a referral to another organization.
A volunteer may be removed from the crew when the person does not follow the role notes, when a background check reveals a disqualifying fact or when the person is no longer able to serve safely. A driver may be removed from the route list for a reason of the same kind. The camp explains the reason and records it, and a person may ask for a review by the camp lead.
Ending a service does not end the camp duty to protect a record or to honor a privacy request. The privacy policy continues to apply to the information the camp holds about a former guest, volunteer or driver, and a question about that information may still be sent to contracts@wicpdays.org.
21. Changes to These Terms
The camp reviews these terms every year and whenever a service changes enough to affect the conditions described here. When a change is made, the effective date at the top of the page is updated and a short note describes what changed. A change that adds a material condition is announced before it takes effect, and a guest may ask questions before the new version begins.
A person who continues to use the website or to attend a camp service after a change takes effect is treated as having accepted the updated terms. A person who does not accept an update may stop using the site and may speak with the camp lead about the service that person was receiving before the change.
The current version of these terms is always the one published at this address. A printed copy is available at the camp office on request. If a question about a change is not answered here, the camp will answer it directly by email or by phone and will add the answer when it applies to everyone.
22. Governing Law
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Alabama and the applicable laws of the United States. A dispute that cannot be resolved through a conversation will be brought in a court with proper jurisdiction over the camp and the matter, and both sides will make a good faith effort to settle the question before a formal step is taken.
The camp prefers a direct conversation to a formal procedure. Most concerns can be resolved by a call to the camp lead, and the camp will take that route whenever the other party agrees. A person who wishes to make a formal complaint should write to the camp address with a clear description of the issue and the outcome that is sought.
If a provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest of the terms remain in effect and the unenforceable provision is read in a way that comes closest to its intended meaning. A failure to enforce a provision on one occasion is not a waiver of the provision on another occasion.
23. How to Reach Us
Questions about these terms may be sent to CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS at 216 Marengo St Ste I, Florence - 35630-6034, United States (US). The camp email address is contracts@wicpdays.org and the camp phone number is +18066399303. The desk answers messages during business hours from Monday to Friday and aims to reply within one business day.
A person who believes that these terms have not been honored may ask for a review by the camp lead. The request should describe the situation, the service involved and the outcome that is sought. The camp lead will confirm receipt, gather the relevant notes and send a written answer within thirty days, or explain why more time is needed.
These terms are provided in English and should be read together with the privacy policy, which describes how the camp handles personal information. The camp thanks every guest, volunteer and partner who takes the time to read this page. Wade the shoal. Raft the supplies. Open the gate. These terms exist to keep that promise steady for everyone who comes to the camp.