Guidelines for a Safe Camp Environment

Transcription

1 Camp Mimanagish Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference 2016 Alderson Ave. Billings, MT Main Boulder Rd. McLeod, MT Guidelines for a Safe Camp Environment

2 Therefore, the Committee on Outdoor Ministries under the direction of the American Camping Association has adopted a Camp Take A Stand zero tolerance guideline on bullying. This guideline is as follows: Any camper, guest, or staff at Camp Mimanagish found to be practicing the act of bullying toward another camper, guest, or staff member will be required to immediately review this document and be given one and only one warning that bullying in any form at Camp Mimanagish will not be tolerated and if they are found again performing such acts will be removed from the program and will be required to leave the facility. Wrap Up Camp Management can not be everywhere and watch everything. It is y our job to be the eyes and ears and report anything suspicious. There is a fuzzy line between having fun and putting campers and the camp at risk. If you are unsure whether or not suspected case constitutes a from of abuse, it is strongly recommended that you err on the side of caution and report your suspicion to a Program Leader and Managing Camp Director, immediately and out of earshot of others. It is your job as Camp Staff to provide a safe and secure environment for out guests. The Committee on Outdoor Ministries challenges you to give!00% while you are involved in our program. We need you and without you the mission of Camp Mimanagish could not happen. Thank You!

3 Abuse Includes: Fondling Sexual Remarks Watching any sexual activity Touching parts of the body which would not be covered by a swimming suit Showing pornography Inappropriate kissing Intercourse Bullying Bullying Prevention: Bullying is when one or more people exclude, tease, taunt, gossip, hit, kick, or put down another person with the intent to hurt another. Bullying happens when a person or group of people want to have power over another and use their power to get their way, at the expense of someone else. Bullying can also happen through cyberspace; through the use of s, text messaging, instant messaging, and other less direct methods. This type of bullying can also lead to persons being hurt during or between the camp seasons and be especially hurtful when persons are targeted with meanness and exclusion. Our camp philosophy is based on our mission statement which ensures that every guest has the opportunity to enjoy the program, enjoy friendships, and learn. We work together as a team to ensure that campers gain self-confidence, make new friends, and go home with great memories. Purpose: Provide a safe place for children and youth of the Montana Northern Wyoming Conference to experience God s calling and word in an outdoor setting. Camping out is an experience that every girl and every boy should have There are certain sides of our nature that will be underdeveloped if we have not the campfire for our teacher. The experience that softens the heart and kindles friendship and the imagination is no less educative than the knowledge that instructs the head. Camping intensifies friendship, and friendship furnishes the motive and the reward of most of our efforts. It doubles our strength for achievement. It gives us most of the joys of life. It is the riches of the spirit and quite as worthy of effort as wealth or learning. Henry S. Curtis (1914: 125-6) Unfortunately, persons who are bullied may not have the same potential to get the most out of their camp experience. Our leadership addresses all incidents of bullying seriously and trains staff to promote communication with their staff and their campers so both staff and campers will be comfortable alerting us to any problems during their camp experience and between camp seasons. Every person has the right to expect to have the best possible experience at camp and by working together as a team to identify and manage bullying; we can help ensure that all campers and staff have a great summer at Camp Mimanagish.

4 The Welcome is a critical time for youth: Youth have a better experience at camp when the feel safe and secure. As staff we need to use the security they seek to our advantage. You have 48 hours from the time the camper pulls into the drive to gain a feeling of security and welcome. We have one chance to make a good first impression! First 24 hours: To establish security in their habitat. What they look for: Predictable Routine Safe place for their belongings The need to be familiar with their surroundings Cabins Bathrooms Light Switches Answers to the question - What is happening next? Mealtime Avoid chaos and hurt feelings, and build sense of community, by having cabin groups eating together for at least the first two meals. Second 24 hours: They are testing you. Campers will test their feelings of security and the consistency of their environment by comparing their experiences to the first 24 hours. A routine too much freedom increases leaves of anxiety. Homesickness: this is created by security issues of the program. Be attentive to the larger issues of security. The Two adult Rule: Whenever possible, campers shall be under the care of supervision of two camping staff, one of whom may be a minor with a five year age separation between counselor and camper. An exception would exist if the camp activities are so constructed as to provide constant visual access and frequent observation by the program leader or his/her designee. Furthermore, no staff person shall place oneself in a compromising situation by being alone with a camper out of sight of other staff persons. Finally, no staff person shall be alone with a camper in camp bathrooms or showers. Showers/Bathroom Supervision: Normally staff persons who accompany a camper to the shower/bathroom should remain outside the bathroom while the camper is inside. If a camper needs assistance with zipping, buttoning, buckling, clean-up, wiping, etc., two staff persons need to be present, on of whom may be a CIT. If anything unusual occurred during the assistance, a note should be written, which describes the help given and the persons present, and that note should be handed to the camp director at the close of camping day. Creating Boundaries: Physical contact such as wrestling, horseplay, sardines or other high contact games are not appropriate recreational activity. No adult leader, staff or volunteer, should initiate or encourage physical or intimate contact with children or youth. Setting boundaries is the responsibility of the adults. Camp is a group ministry. All participants are expected to remain with the group throughout the times listed in the camp description. No pairing or otherwise separating off from the group to other parts of the camp grounds is permitted. Specific Guidelines for Adult Supervision: Staff or volunteers function as representatives of the camp and as such are held to different standards than when acting as a parent or adult in their own family. The rules and guidelines of the camp must be followed by all staff and volunteers at all time, thereby providing appropriate supervision for the camper. Illegalities and irresponsibility cannot be allowed. Supervision must be consistent, reasonable, and prudent. Staff is encouraged to remember that they will be providing both supervision and modeling adult Christian behavior for the campers in their car, and should endeavor to see that the example they set is consistent with the values and expectations of the camp community.

5 Legal Responsibilities You are a mandated reporter - and obligated to report suspected abuse: Physical Sexual (by anyone) Neglect Code of Behavior and Policy for Volunteer Camp Staff Volunteers and staff involved in the life of the campers shall receive training and accept the intentions provided by the following code of behavior. The code of behavior must be signed and a training session be completed before assuming their position. Drugs and Alcohol: The use of any illegal drugs or alcoholic products at any youth camp is not permitted by anyone. Tobacco Products: The use of any tobacco products on or in camp facilities during a conference sponsored youth camp is not permitted. There are no exceptions to this policy. Transportation Guidelines: Transportation of campers by only one adult, unless in emergency situations should be avoided. Reporting Responsibilities: Any inappropriate conduct or relationship shall be reported to a Program Leader and Managing Camp Director, immediately and out of earshot to others. Discipline: The purpose of discipline with campers is to maintain order in a manner consistent with the teaching of religious responsibility, respect, and cooperation. No camper shall be disciplined by spanking, hitting, slapping, or any other form of physical punishment. Verbal reprimands shall not include destructive criticism, insult or shouting. Staff persons are encouraged to listen to the camper, communicate expectations of appropriate behavior, use time-outs or give alternate choices. If a camper is disruptive, a staff person may be sent to locate the Program Leader or his/her designee once an additional staff person is in place to maintain the two adult rule. Maintaining an envelope of safety for campers Why is this needed for children and youth? Children and youth can become impulsive and over-stimulated They look up to you - your actions have a real impact upon them. They can be made to feel unsafe if they become over stimulated. They become over stimulated when they Feel scared or frightened Become too curious, especially about the private romantic lives of counselors. Get too excited Loss of self control (not feeling safe) is one of the things children fear most. Some things that cause children to feel out of control: Being tickled Wrestled with Watching scary movies or hearing scary stories Listening about details or romantic encounters Some other things to keep in mind about children: They do better with rewards and success than failure and punishment They become tired and hungry more quickly than adults They Fall Apart when tired and cranky They have different energy levels than adults They don t always know what s in their best interest They argue with you for the very things that might harm them The become impulsive and restless when idle They assume adults can guess what is bothering them Guidelines for discipline Under no circumstances hit a child Do not use abusive or derogatory language Ask for help from other counselors or leaders Things that can help avoid the need for discipline: Get to know the campers Use activities to channel energy Make a camper a special helper Time Outs or horizontal time

6 Maintaining an Emotionally Safe Environment Never embarrass a child about the child s body Do not draw attention to a camper while the camper is changing or showering Refrain from sitting upon a camper s lap - no matter how big the camper might be Other Important Practices that Help Maintain Safety No hazing of campers by counselors or by other campers All campers should feel welcome; therefore initiation rites of any kind are not appropriate At least two adults present (if any are present) during shower and changes of clothing, etc. When transporting campers, try to have an adult monitor on board Pillow fights and wrestling need to be well supervised Tickling or teasing a camper can make a camper feel out of control, reducing trust and a sense of safety Limitations on back rubs: can occur only with another adult present, all fully clothed, and only in a sitting position Limit Clingers Counselors shall not share a bed or sleeping bag with a camper - not in any circumstances Any intimate or sexual activity between staff is grounds for immediate dismissal. You are there for the kids, not yourself Romantic lives of counselors shall not be shared with campers Campers have a tendency to develop crushes with the counselors that work with them. Be aware and talk with the Program Leader about strategies to deal with such situations No showing of scary moves, R-rated movies, or telling scary stories. Even some PG-13 movies are questionable. Use caution. No overnights outside of assigned cabins Specific Guidelines for Camper/Staff Touching Three safe places to touch a young person: Shoulder Hand Upper Back Never touch a child against the child s will (unless in a clear and present danger to the child is present) Never ignore a child s verbal or nonverbal NO Always be in the company of another adult Never touch as to over stimulate the children Never touch an area normally covered by a bathing suit. The only exception is for medical emergency and then only in he company of another adult AVOID FULL BODY HUGGING! Specific Guidelines for Photography Cameras and/or video recording equipment including but not limited to cellular phones are not permitted inside any designated bath house or restroom facility including established out house at any time. These area s are designated private areas and for camper safety and privacy these items are not permitted. All photography taken by camp staff, volunteer or paid, is the property of the Montana-Northern Wyoming Conference and is subject to all controls established by the Committee on Outdoor Ministries. All campers are given the option to opt-out of any photography of their person to be used for publicity or website posting at time of registration. Any camper and/or guardian can also opt-out at any time via verbal or written request. This does not include the full camp group photo taken during the week and distributed by staff on the last day of camp. It is the responsibility of the camper to remain out of this photo if they or their parents do not wish them to be included. No photography is to be posted on any website or publication including camp advertisement that includes any of the following: a photo of any camper close up in a bathing suit or dress attire viewed as revealing, any photograph taken within camper cabins or sleeping quarters. Any camper, parent or guardian requesting photos to be removed from any public viewable location including web sites shall have their request honored as soon as possible without exception. Any person refusing to remove such photography can at any time be reported to authorities.