CampSafe Orientation Session

It is the bringing of everyone together once they all have the baseline understanding of sexual abuse prevention, that you as their leader can set the tone of transparency, open dialogue about healthy relationships with campers and staff, zero tolerance policy for any type of abuse and to clarify for staff who to go to with any concerns or need of guidance.

Everyone having gone through the CampSafe training before camp creates a level of comfort for all, provides knowledge and a language about child sexual abuse which gives the facilitator the opportunity to address the issues of abuse on a higher level.

We recommend that this part of orientation be facilitated by the Child Protection Team and the camp Director.

CampSafe Discussion

Share with staff that they all have taken the CampSafe training. Set the tone, recognizing that we all approach the topic of child sexual abuse differently and we need to be sensitive to each other. Explain that the need for this type of education is important for the well being of everyone at camp and that it will also serve them later in life both personally and professionally. Discuss confidentiality.

Ask a few open ended questions:

What were some take aways you remember from the CampSafe training?
What did you learn that surprised you?
How did you feel taking a training on the topic of child sexual abuse?

Through discussion, in large or small groups, review the following:

Define physical and non-physical sexual abuse
The importance of vigilant supervision during down time; meals; showers; swim; rest hour; bedtime.
Discuss the importance of utilizing supervision time to provide wellness checks for campers and staff.
Review with staff acceptable and unacceptable interactions between staff and campers and consequences for unacceptable behavior.
Discuss the value of teaching and modeling respectful behavior; ensure staff understands zero tolerance policy in regard to abuse and inappropriate behavior such as staff-staff teasing, sharing love life stories, innuendo. Remind staff that the campers have ears and eyes and are looking to them as role models.
Role play situations that commonly occur in your camp setting – you can use the scenarios from the CampSafe training or create new ones. The main goal is to discuss the scenarios to decide what is appropriate and what is not appropriate. What steps need to be taken.
Make staff aware of how pressures of camp can impact staff behavior- staff needs to be aware of their feelings and limits at all times. Always good to remind staff that asking for help when appropriate is a strength not a weakness.
Suggested group activity: Divide the group into two groups. Put them in different rooms and give each group a large pad and easel. Ask one group to list the characteristics of the ideal counselor. In the other group ask them to list the characteristics of a potential child sex offender (counselor) at camp. Bring the groups together and compare the lists. Often times you will find the two lists are remarkably similar. This is a great way to begin a discussion of the difference between being a good role model and crossing boundaries that might be interpreted as grooming behavior

Vulnerable Populations

Children with special needs are more vulnerable to any type of abuse, including sexual abuse. Have a staff discussion to prepare staff for these challenges by discussing specific situations that pertain to your camper population. Many camps serving children who need physical assistance for changing and toileting need to discuss protecting children during these times, modeling healthy boundaries and treating campers with dignity and respect.

Consent

Have the staff define consent from the point of view of adult relationships. Then ask them to define consent from the point of view of a camper: age 6, age 9, age 12, age 15. (See next section: The use of ‘Cabin Chats’ to Establish a Culture of Safety). The concept of teaching consent from a young age empowers children that they have agency over their body and how they want to be treated. It is little day to day interactions between staff and campers and campers and campers which model consent that helps them understand they have a voice and can say no and it will be respected. Letting everyone know what the ground rules are at your camp will make this type of communication universal and support your camp Culture of Safety.