Recommended Rules and Procedures for Youth Camps
In this section we will teach (1) how to avoid being accused of sexual abuse or child molestation, (2) prevention of camper on camper abuse, (3) reporting sexual abuse or molestation, and (4) the need to minimize one on one isolated encounters between adult and minors, or between two minors.
Perhaps the greatest challenge to persons choosing to work with children and youth in Christian camping is when one suspects sexual abuse or child molestation or when one confides that they have been abused or molested.
1. How to Avoid Being Accused of Sexual Abuse or Child Molestation
Barriers to abuse within Christian camping
The following policies are primarily for the protection of campers; however, they also serve to protect adult counselors from false accusations of abuse.
• Two-deep counselor supervision. No adult will be allowed to be alone with a camper in an isolated place. In situations that require personal conferences, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults.
• No child or teenager is to sit in the lap of an adult. No adult is to allow a child or teenager to sit in his/her lap or lie in his/her bed. The only exception would be the parent of the child.
• No frontal hugs. From time to time, an adult may feel at a child needs a hug, in order to support or comfort the child. The adult must use a shoulder to shoulder hug.
• Respect of privacy. Adults must respect the privacy of campers in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers. An adult would only intrude to the extent that the health and or safety of the camper would be in question. In the case of safety, one adult may enter the private area, but whenever possible two adults should be present. Campers must also respect the privacy of the adults in these situations. Therefore, it is not permissible for campers or adults to move about in the housing area unclothed.
• Sleeping accommodations. Adults should sleep in an area where the highest level of supervision is possible and should not isolate themselves from general view. When wilderness camping, adults are prohibited from sleeping in pup-type tents with campers unless it is a parent and his or her child. Larger tent housing would require at least two adult counselors following the same procedures as regular camp housing.
• Appropriate attire. Adults will at all times be dressed modestly. Clothes such as swimsuits, shorts, and tops are not to be revealing or in anyway draw attention to the breasts, buttocks or genital area.
• Rough housing or hazing is prohibited. An adult will not wrestle, tickle, or in anyway engage a child or teenager in an activity where the adult's hands might come in contact with the breasts or genital area of the camper. The adult must be particularly careful about physical contact with campers while in the swimming area. No counselor or camper is to participate in any kind of hazing or initiation activity.
NOTE: Adult counselors must monitor each other, not to accuse, but to protect each other in case of an allegation.
2. How to Prevent Camper-on-Camper Abuse
• Campers-Counselor assignment. Campers assigned to a counselor should be accounted for at all times.
• Campers in sleeping areas. Campers will not be permitted to be in the sleeping area of any camper of the opposite sex.
• Camper visibility. No camper is allowed to be alone with another camper out of sight of an adult or other campers.
• Sleeping assignments. Campers are to sleep in his/her assigned bed. Campers are not to sleep together. Beds are not to be arranged in such a way as to make supervision by the counselor impossible.
• Adult supervision. Adults are to supervise all activities of the camper, both organized and unorganized. The camper is not allowed to enter into any bullying activities.
• Supervision during swim activities. Close supervision by adults during all swim activities is mandatory. Close attention should be paid to the activities of couples in the swim area.
• Older campers. Older campers who tend to spend a great deal of time with younger campers should be encouraged to engage in activities with their appropriate peer group.
• Reporting by a camper. When a camper reports a situation that makes him/her uncomfortable, the counselor must take action to protect the camper.
3. Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Molestation at Camp
The adult who has witnessed or who becomes aware of any form of abuse of a camper must inform the Licensed Youth Camp Operator as soon as possible.
• Investigation of allegations. Counselors are not to investigate the allegation. Counselors are to report the information to the Licensed Youth Camp Operator as soon as possible.
• Reporting. The counselor is to turn into the Licensed Youth Camp Operator, within 24 hours, a written report of how he/she gained knowledge of the allegation.
• State reporting. The Licensed Youth Camp Operator is to report by phone, followed by fax, to the Department of State Health Services, Environmental Health Group
Phone: 512-834-6773 ext. 2305
Fax: 512-834-6707
If the abuse happens on the campus of the TX Youth Camp it must also be reported (by the Licensed Youth Camp Operator) to the Office of General Counsel Investigation Section at the following numbers:
Phone: 512-491-4045
Weekend Number: 512-833-6497
Remember, when a child or teenager confides in you, allow him/her to feel that you care, are listening, and will do what is necessary to be of help. It helps to sit at the minor's eye-level, keeping your conversation from being overheard by others. It is not your role to question or determine the facts or to suggest that he/she was or was not abused. Let the student know how much you admire the courage and confidence it took to share what has happened.