Now that school is out, many children will be attending summer camps. Have you asked the right questions and taken those extra steps to ensure your child's safety while away from home? Any organization that truly cares about the safety of your child and has put the right policies in place will not be offended by questions. If they are, maybe you should reconsider sending your child there.
If you ask nothing else, ask these questions of camp directors:
1. Beyond background checks, what is the screening process for new hires?
2. What kind of child sexual abuse prevention training do you offer staff and volunteers?
3. What specific policies are in place to minimize the risk of child sexual abuse at your camp?
Camps typically provide orientation for staff. Find out if and how the orientation includes training about child sexual abuse prevention. The training should dispel common myths about sexual abuse, introduce body-safety policies, cover how sexual abusers groom children, and identify warning signs that someone is abusing or being abused.
When it comes to policies, make sure there is a rule for adults spending time alone with children (two adults to one child); appropriate and inappropriate touch of children by adults – and by other children. If your child is going to a sleep-away camp, also ask about showering policies and sleeping arrangements.
