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by Edward A. Schirick,
C.P.C.U., C.I.C., C.R.M.
Dear Counselors:
I wish
there was a way for me to attend your staff-orientation
sessions, but time and distances make this
impossible. So, I decided to write to you instead.
I've spent thirty-two years, a large
part of my adult life, consulting with camp
directors about risk management and arranging
insurance for camps throughout the United States.
I'd like to share some of my experience
with you, because it is my hope that by doing
so, you will be able to avoid some of the mistakes
other camp counselors have made before you.
It's Up to You
Whether you have a good
time or an unsatisfying experience at camp
this summer is up to you. The outcome is heavily
dependent upon your attitudes, commitment,
and skills.
Successful camp counselors typically
have a caring, "can-do" attitude.
Camp counselors must also be team players,
and do what is needed, even when the task is
hard, or unpleasant. When frustrated, they
complain constructively and search the chain
of command until they find someone who can
do something about the issues concerning them.
They never complain in a way that undermines
the authority of the camp's leadership.
Many people are depending upon you to care
for their children because they are not there.
They have trusted the owners/directors of camp,
who in turn, trust you and your fellow staff
to care for the campers as if they were your
own children. This is not always easy, but
there is no more important job you'll
ever have.
Your job requires thinking and awareness
of your environment. Successful completion
of your duties requires your total commitment
and 100 percent of your attention . . . .
Accidents
Happen
Unfortunately, accidents do happen in
spite of our best efforts to prevent them.
While accidents can happen anywhere at any
time, you are uniquely able to prevent injuries
by reducing risk wherever you encounter it
this summer. What do I mean by reducing risk?
Here are a couple of examples and risk management
strategies:
Free time in the bunk/cabin doesn't
mean time off for you. During this time, you
are not able to let your guard down. Statistics
show the majority of injuries occur in the
bunk/ cabin, during free time (rest periods).
Risk Management Strategy: Keep control of camper
behaviors, be visible, and minimize "horseplay."
Fatigue
is a contributing factor to camper and staff
accidents and injuries. Be aware of this. Monitor
energy levels, yours as well as campers',
throughout the day. Many experts believe campers
and staff are prone to more serious injury
later in the day because they are tired. Risk
Management Strategy: Besides consistently using
good safety practices for yourself as well
as campers (wearing personal protective equipment
such as seat belts in vehicles equipped with
them, life vests when boating, helmets when
rock climbing, etc.), incorporate rest breaks
into your day and make certain everyone has
plenty of water as necessary. If you are a
driver, stop and take a break when you are
tired, or turn over driving duties to another
approved back-up driver.
Automobile accidents
involving staff during their time off result
in serious injuries and loss of life every
summer. Alcohol is sometimes a factor. Speed
is another cause, not to mention travel on
unfamiliar rural roads. Risk Management Strategy:
Please don't drink and drive. If you
go out as a group, always have someone abstain
and be the designated driver. Slow down; the van
you may be driving handles quite differently
than your own vehicle. Please wear seat belts,
even if you ride in the back seat. Statistics
confirm that your chances of surviving injuries
sustained when you are ejected from a vehicle
are quite slim. Seat belts save lives! Think!
Watch for animals crossing roads especially
at night. Rural roads have soft shoulders or
no shoulders at all. If you don't know
how to safely recover a vehicle from a soft
shoulder, ask for instructions.
Sex, Drugs,
and Alcohol
Living, working, and succeeding
at camp this summer is about making appropriate
choices. I am advocating taking the time to
think, to follow your common sense, and to
listen to your instincts.
I'm sure it
comes as no surprise to you that there is zero
tolerance at camp for inappropriate sexual
behavior. I'm talking about romantic
relationships with other staff. Let's
face it, many couples have met at camp and
established enduring relationships that have
lasted a lifetime. This is wonderful. Camp
is just not the best place for a dating experience
because the camp staff is a team. Everyone
has a job to do. Romantic relationships get
in the way of effective teamwork. It distracts
you and fellow counselors from their primary
role and responsibility — creating an
envelope of safety for campers and making sure
they have a great summer.
So, if you find someone
special among the other staff at camp this
summer be sure to keep it private, no public
displays of affection, please. Certainly never
share any personal, private information about
your relationships with campers. And if things
don't work out as you originally thought
they would, be an adult about ending the relationship
gracefully.
Violating the camp's rules
regarding staff relationships can change your
life and bring significant consequences. You
could be fired or suffer other negative consequences
depending upon the inappropriate behavior.
Of equal concern is that in spite of significant
efforts to protect campers, one or more of
the staff at your camp may attempt to prey
on campers this summer. This not only includes
molestation (inappropriate touching), but voyeurism
as well.
From time to time, camp directors
have found video cameras hidden in dressing
rooms, bathrooms, and other places where privacy
is required and expected. Voyeurism can also
manifest itself by taking candid, inappropriate
images of campers and staff with either cameras
or camera phones in the bunk/cabin. This is
not cool! So be aware and on guard. Make sure
to enforce your camp's rules for the
use of cameras and camera phones.
Physical
and sexual abuse and sexual molestation of
children is a crime. If you observe someone
physically abusing a camper or become aware
of a child who may have been sexually abused
or molested, report the facts as you know them
to the designated person at camp or to the
camp director. Just to be clear, bullying behavior
is also abusive and unacceptable. The camp
directors are depending upon you to protect
the children in your care at all times.
Another
concern is the abuse of nonprescription drugs
and alcohol. This behavior has significant
implications for you and puts everyone (you,
campers, and the camp's reputation) at
risk. Think (there's that word again)
about it for a minute. Alcohol and drug use
impair your abilities, and their effects have
a cumulative impact. Abuse of alcohol and drugs
this summer increases the likelihood (risk)
you will not be able to do your job and not
be able to respond appropriately and quickly
in an emergency. If you put yourself in the
shoes of the camp director, you have to realize
this is not an acceptable situation.
Anticipate — Expect
the Unexpected
What can you do to make a difference
this summer? Take some time before the campers
arrive to think about the various risks we've
identified here, as well as other risks at
camp from your own perspective. Try to anticipate
where problems may occur. Plan how you might
respond. In this process, you'll learn
that the owners/directors have done some risk
identification and risk management planning,
too. Make sure you know the camp emergency
action plans and protocols. Follow the camp's
rules; take care of the campers in your charge
and yourself as well. Think and have a great
summer!
Originally published
in the 2008 July/August issue of Camping Magazine.
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