Staff's role in safety.

As staff members, you may or may not be aware of American Camping Association standards for camps. You may have helped prepare or update written procedures that were used in a standards visit. Some of you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with ACA visitors this summer. Maybe you specifically chose to work at an accredited camp. What are standards all about?

ACA has had standards for camps since 1935. Camp directors participate in periodic review and revision of the standards, which provide guidelines for policies, procedures and practices in everything from facilities and administration to program and health care. Accreditation has become a mark of distinction for camps, indicating they are willing to have an outside team of trained volunteers compare their practices with those agreed upon by professionals in the camp industry.

Many of the things you learned and reviewed in staff orientation (pre-camp training) are also standards requirements. Now that the summer is well underway, we'd like you to think again about a few issues related to safety.

Parents have entrusted you with the care of their children. When making decisions about a camper activity ask yourself: What would a reasonable parent do in this situation?

Activities

Do you know what the safety regulations are? Do you know how to enforce them? While you may be tempted to "give in" to be better liked, campers need and want guidelines and parameters for behavior and activities.

Have you taught your campers about boundaries and things to be careful of, like poisonous snakes or cars on the road? Do you and your campers know what to do in a storm or fire, or if someone falls from the giant swing or tips a canoe? Have you conducted drills and rehearsed rescue procedures?

Do campers understand and follow activity procedures? How about other staff? How do written procedures compare to what actually goes on? What changes would you suggest to make the activity safer?

Health

What is your camp's system for letting you know of any allergies, restrictions, behavior problems, or specific parent requests regarding the campers in your care? In addition to counselors and health care staff, how do appropriate specialty and support staff, like lifeguards and cooks, find out?

What's your responsibility for giving first aid to campers (or other staff)? Have you been trained in Universal Precautions, procedures for using gloves or masks in certain situations? Do you know what medications your campers are taking and if you need to watch for any problems?

Cabins/living units

Have you checked the batteries in smoke alarms lately? How do you report a broken step or railing, or a dead branch hanging over a path?

What are the policies for supervision of free time? Who is in charge? What do you watch or listen for? Are you confident you understand and can carry out your camp's system for behavior management and discipline? Where do you go if you need help?

Cookouts

On cookouts or overnights, do you know how to safely store meat, milk, and other perishables? Even if cooking is not your strong point, you need to be sure meat is cooked thoroughly; that means cooked until juices are clear, not red. Proper handwashing is critical, before and after handling raw food. Food-related bacteria can be life-threatening.

Transportation

If you are driving a camp owned or leased vehicle, have you been trained in vehicle safety checks and passenger safety procedures? Have you practiced driving, turning and backing up the vehicle?

What are your responsibilities when children are arriving and departing from camp or from activities?

No one expects that staff will never make mistakes. But the expectation is that you will act as a reasonable, prudent person would act under the circumstances. Remember, your camp is ultimately responsible for your actions - you are the camp while on the job. If you act irresponsibly, you may jeopardize not only the safety of campers but also the future of the camp.

So, as you finish your summer at camp, learn, create, teach and have fun! But take your training seriously. Follow procedures and policies with diligence. Enforce regulations. Once you know the basics are covered, you can enjoy giving kids a safe world of good.