Christadelphian Bible Camp
Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
GENERAL
1. All adults attending the youth camp are required to do a vulnerable safety check and send the results to the registrar prior to camp.
2. It is our desire that the children in our care experience the precious love of God as they learn it from the Bible. It is our aim to provide a suitable and safe environment for children, teachers and supervisors.
3. Teachers or supervisors shall be members of the church or directly accountable to a member.
SUPERVISION
4. Children under our care shall be supervised at all times. Supervision ends only when the child has been returned to a parent or guardian or departs the camp.
5. We will avoid leaving a child alone in the company of only one adult in a closed room, unless the adult is the parent or legal guardian.
6. We recognize that neither teachers, nor supervisors, nor other students have any authority to administer physical punishment. We shall not use forceful apprehension except to restrain a child for their own safety, for the protection of property, or if the safety of another person is at risk.
7. In the event of unruliness, the teacher or supervisor may return the child to the parent or guardian and seek assurances of improved behaviour before re-admitting the child to the class or activity.
RESPECT
8. We will not speak to any child in a demeaning manner.
9. A child shall not be held, hugged or otherwise touched against his or her will or if they or their parents express concern for this means of expression. Under no circumstances must a child be inappropriately touched and teachers and supervisors shall be alert to this kind of abuse.
CHILD ABUSE
10. If a teacher or supervisor has good reason to believe that they are dealing with an abused child, that teacher or supervisor shall (follow the commandments of Christ, Matt 18:15-16) inquire of the parents, if concern continues, inform two of the Brethren of the Camp Committee responsible for the individual camp and who are present at the camp. We further understand that it is our legal duty to report any well-founded suspicion of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. The relevant camp committee will notify a director of the Christadelphian Bible Camp, Manitoulin Island, Board of Directors, as soon as possible of the situation and any steps taken.
FINAL – 17 January 2008CHILD PROTECTION POLICY 10. Each teacher or supervisor shall be aware of the procedures to follow in the event of an
injury or illness
11. Each teacher or supervisor shall make inquiry of the child and his or her parents/guardians to determine any pre-existing health conditions. For each such condition, the parents shall provide the teacher or supervisor with an appropriate action plan or first-aid response.
FIRE 12. Each teacher or supervisor shall be familiar with the Camp Fire Procedures.
13. In the event of a fire alarm, the teacher or supervisor shall lead the children to the Jr. Playing Field and remain there with them until the alarm is over, or until each child is returned to his/her parent, or guardian. In the case of Youth Camp the children will be accounted for by the appointed guardians at the Jr Playing Field and will be directed under the care of those guardians and the Brethren of the Camp Committee responsible for the individual camp and who are present at the camp.
14. If exit from a room or building requires any special care for a handicapped child, the teacher or supervisor shall ensure that the appropriate aid is at hand to provide the necessary assistance.
VIOLATIONS
15. We understand that being entrusted with the responsibility for children brings with it the duty to immediately report any suspected violation of these guidelines to two Brethren of the Camp Committee responsible for the individual camp and who are present at the camp. As well, steps will be taken to immediately notify a director of the Christadelphian Bible Camp, Manitoulin Island, Board of Directors, of any violations or suspected violations of this policy.
16. We understand that it may be necessary to suspend a teacher or supervisor if an investigation involves questions in respect of their duty of care.
17. It is our aim to deal quickly and thoroughly with such matters so that children, teachers and supervisors may feel confident that the environment shows due care for the health and safety of all its members in a manner consistent with the laws of Christ and the statutes of Canada.
Those accepting responsibility of the care of children on the property of the Christadelphian Bible Camp, Manitoulin Island, agree that they have read and understand this policy and will fulfill these responsibilities following the Love and example of our Lord.