Establish and Enforce Supervision Practices

Many camps run a pre-orientation for supervisory staff. This is the time to prepare the key people you rely on for what they may encounter and your expectations as to how to respond to those situations. This is an opportune time to introduce The Child Protection Team to your supervisory staff and have the members play active roles in facilitating the meeting. All of the discussions below are part of the Child Protection Team’s development of protocol and procedures. 

Critical to this process is creating a safe environment for staff and campers alike. After all of the staff have taken the CampSafe training you can have a supervisory staff discussion including the following:

1. 1. What is my role as a supervisor in relation to child sexual abuse?

   2. How do I create a “safe space” for those I supervise and how do they create that same environment for the campers in their charge?

   3. How do we create a Culture of Safety at camp?  

   4. How do I respond to a camper or staff member who approaches me to discuss a personal situation? 

   5. What is the administrative process if someone reports potential abuse to me as a supervisor? Who do I report to? What information do I need to obtain? 

   6. What are my legal responsibilities if one of my staff or campers reports possible abuse to me?

   7. What is the camp’s responsibility if abuse is reported?

   8. What are the potential legal repercussions of reporting abuse in my state?

   9. Provide role playing scenarios for supervisory staff – including how to directly supervise a staff member who is being inappropriate.

   10. Provide the camp’s Child Protection Policy and protocol to your supervisory staff.

                    a. Reporting protocol should be written by the Child Protection Team noting immediate steps to take, who to                            contact at camp, specific laws for your state, numbers to call, etc.

        11. Create a routine schedule for group supervision as well as individual supervision for all staff. Often meetings                        focus on the day to day planning and implementing of activities versus the opportunity for personal leadership                    growth and a safe space to express concerns or ask for guidance. We recommend group supervision every few                  days – with a focus on a quick review of each camper’s well being, any concerns, and suggestions for                                interventions.