Central
Virginia Burn Camp Policies
The Directors of the Central Virginia
Burn Camp want to thank you very much for volunteering at camp this summer.
You are about to have one of the most challenging and rewarding
experiences of your life!
This Counselor Handbook is to help guide
you through this experience. It
will help you to feel confident in a job well done.
Please carefully read the “Policies
and Procedures” and the “Camp Rules” and sign the appropriate pages.
We expect all policies to be followed at all times and expect all
counselors and volunteers to help enforce the policies.
There are articles included that will
help you feel more comfortable working with children, especially if you are new
to the camp. We have also included
articles on discipline and communication. The
camp setting is a unique one for discipline.
While camp should be fun and free, it is imperative that we create an
environment that is safe for everyone. We have to develop a structure that has
specific boundaries and guidelines. This
is the safe part. Within that safe structure, we build an opportunity for
choices and creativity. This is the
fun part. We must have a strong balance of both safe and fun to have a camp
setting that is rewarding to both camper and counselor.
It takes lots of time and planning to
pull together all the aspects of running this camp. We, the Directors, are volunteers as well and spend much time
throughout the year working to make camp the best it can be, in addition to our
jobs and family responsibilities. We
welcome your thoughts, ideas and questions. Do not hesitate to contact any of us
prior to camp or approach us during camp.
To make life more manageable for all of
us, and so you know who to approach for specific issues, we have divided the
responsibilities of camp between the 3 of us a follows:
Sharon Bragg, RN - General Camp
facility issues
Insurance, Finance
Camper Resources
Medical Needs
Leslie Baruch, OTR (Occupational
Therapist) -
Program and Activity Planning
Daily Scheduling
Counselor and Volunteer Coordination and Resources
Rehabilitation and Scar Management for campers
Tim
Wright, Professional Firefighter -
Media and News Coverage
Kitchen and Meal Coordination
Firefighter Volunteers
Again, feel free to see anyone of us for
any issue and we may direct you as needed.
IN CLOSING, take advantage of every
moment, lead by example, give 100% and have fun. Do these things and you will be able to look back and
honestly say, “ I gave of myself wholeheartedly…..but I got so much more in
return”.
Thanks.
The Central Virginia Burn Camp
Directors,
Sharon Bragg, Leslie Baruch, Tim Wright
P.S.---
Don’t forget, this year’s Camp Theme is “Back To Nature”.
Bring anything else you can think of to go along with this theme!
Also, please feel free to bring musical instruments to help out with the
campfire sing-a-longs and variety show!
PLEASE BRING THIS HANDBOOK WITH YOU TO COUNSELOR ORIENTATION !!
THANKS.
Mission Statement and Goals
Central Virginia Burn Camp
The Central Virginia Burn Camp is a summer camp
dedicated to providing a special, fun and safe experience for children with burn
injuries.
This camp offers the chance for these children to
enjoy summer fun activities with others who have gone through a similar
experience.
The camp’s positive, supportive environment helps
foster a sense of self-confidence, increases self-esteem, and allows the
children to realize they are not alone with their burn scars.
Our goal is to provide a normalized recreational experience while increasing the camper’s self esteem and contribute to their overall quality of life through organized camping. By challenging children with burn injuries it is also our goal to contribute to their development through mental and physical activities. Additionally, it is the goal of camp to allow children with a variety of residual impairments to interact with one another in order to increase their sensitivity to those with different impairments. We also provide an opportunity for adult burn survivors to provide leadership and guidance to the children, creating a positive and supportive environment for each other
Specific
objectives at Central Virginia Burn camp include:
1.
Provide a normalized recreational experience –
a.
provide typical camp activities with minimal
adaptation due to their burn injuries
(horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, ropes course, arts and crafts, fishing,
hiking, sports, camp fires, etc…)
b.
create a supportive atmosphere in which abilities,
not disabilities, are accentuated
c.
provide the rehabilitation support if a camper
needs continued therapy
or scar management
d.
provide any needed medical or wound care support
2.
Increase self esteem and overall quality of life
–
a.
provide opportunities to excel and safely test
adventure skills
b.
build self confidence through achievement
c.
increase independence
d.
provide opportunities to interact with and learn
about others with differing medical conditions and impairments.
e.
Allow children from urban and disadvantaged homes
to have a rural recreational experience
3.
Contribute to the mental and emotional well-being
of children
a.
extend environmental education activities to the
children
b.
provide a congenial and supportive atmosphere where
the child’s psychological needs and personal challenges can be met.
4.
Provide a learning and sharing opportunity for the
counselors and volunteers
a.
provide health care students with an opportunity to
work with children in various stages post burn injury
b.
allow adult burn survivors the opportunity to be
with other burn survivors and to provide leadership and guidance, through role
modeling, to the campers
c.
allow professionals in the community service and
health care fields the opportunity
to interact with these children in a recreational, instead of a “life or
death” or medical situation
5.
Provide and opportunity for family respite
General
Camper Rules and Regulations
At
Camp Holiday Trails
(To
be reviewed with Campers)
1.
Absolutely no alcohol, illegal drugs, or tobacco
products allowed on camp
2.
No
knives, pocket knives or guns allowed at camp.
3.
All
camper medications must be checked in with Sharon Bragg, RN, camp
co- director, including aspirin.
4.
Other
cabins besides your own are off limits except
when with a Counselor.
All females must stay out of male cabins and males out of
female cabins unless accompanied by a counselor.
5.
The following areas are off limits
unless there is an activity scheduled in the
area: ropes course, swimming pool,
horse area, lake/waterfront area.
6.
No one is allowed to leave camp premises without the permission of a
Camp Director.
7.
Everyone must wear shoes at all times except in the shower, pool or bed.
8.
Campers and counselors should shower once a day because of the need
9.
All electrical appliances must be turned off when not in use –
including lights and air conditioners.
10.
No horseplay on the bunk beds – too dangerous; keep rails on upper bunk
sat all times.
11.
No writing, graffiti drawing or imprinting on bunk beds or on any other
camp
12
All campers and counselors must laugh at least ten times a day.
13.
All campers and counselors must give and receive at least five smiles and
14.
All campers and counselors must stay safe, healthy and happy at all
times.
GRATUITIES: All Counselors and Volunteers should refrain from
accepting any tips or gratuities that parents or campers may offer. Donations may be made to Central Virginia Burn Camp.
TERMINATION
OF COUNSELOR AGREEMENT: CVBC reserves the
right to cancel a counselor or volunteer before June 1st
if camp enrollment is below 15 campers.
JOB
RESPONSIBILITIES: All
staff will be expected to uphold their respective responsibilities as outlined
in the Counselor or Volunteer guide.
AT
CAMP: All vehicles should be parked in designated parking areas, at
the Dining Hall or Med. Corner after arrival and unloading.
Cars are not to be driven on camp grounds unless specifically requested
to do so.
TIME
OFF: All
Counselors are expected to remain at Camp for the entire session.
Speak with a Director for specific time off needs.
All Counselors will be given rest breaks, as needed.
Speak with a Director to sign up on the break sheet and to ensure
coverage for your campers.
ACTIVITIES:
All
Counselors are responsible to get their campers to an activity and to encourage
his/her participation. Counselors
should participate in activities as well, along with their campers.
DISCIPLINE: Each Counselor is responsible for the safety and well
being of his/her camper(s) and for all the other campers. When needed, the discipline procedures, as outlined in this
manual should be followed. It is
the responsibility of all staff to report to a Director any breach of protocol
in a timely manner.
TERMINATION:
Listed
are several reasons why Counselors and Volunteers may be asked to leave Camp:
-
Sleeping while scheduled to work and perform duties – without a
Director’s approval.
-
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
-
Engaging
in sexual activity, consensual or otherwise, any time while at Camp or during
the
Camp session.
-
Unwillingness/refusal
to comply with responsibilities.
-
Purposeful
endangerment, assault, or threatening behaviors towards CVBC campers, staff or
guests.
- Theft or purposeful destruction of Camp property or the property of campers, staff or guests
CODE OF CONDUCT
1.
In order
to protect CVBC staff, volunteers and program participants – at no time during
a CVBC program may a staff person be
alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others.
As staff supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that
other staff can see them.
2.
Staff
shall never leave a child unsupervised.
3.
Restroom
supervision: If staff are assisting
any camper in the bathroom, doors to the facility
must remain open. No child,
regardless of age, should ever enter a bathroom alone
on a field trip. Always send
children in pairs, and when possible, with staff.
4. Staff should conduct or supervise private activities in pairs – diapering, putting on bathing suits, taking showers, etc… When this is not feasible, staff should be positioned so they are visible to others
5.
Staff
should not abuse children including:
physical abuse – strike, spank, slap, shake
verbal abuse – humiliate, degrade, threaten
sexual abuse – inappropriate touch or verbal
exchange
mental abuse – shaming, withholding love, cruelty
neglect – withholding food, water, basic care
Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and may be cause for immediate
dismissal.
7.
Staff
will conduct a health check of each child as they enter the session, and briefly
each day, noting any fever, bumps bruises, burns, etc.
Questions or comments will be addresses to the parent or child in a
non-threatening way and a Camp Director will be notified.
Any questionable marks or responses will be documented.
8.
Staff
will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children
equally
9.
Staff
will respect children’s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel
10.
Staff
will refrain from intimate displays of affection towards others in the presence
of
11.
While
CVBC does not discriminate against an individual’s lifestyle, it does require
that in the performance of their job they
will abide by the standards of conduct set forth by CVBC.
12.
Staff
must appear clean, neat and appropriately attired.
13.
Using,
possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during camp
is prohibited.
14.
Smoking
or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents is prohibited.
15.
Profanity,
inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life, and any
kind of harassment in the presence of children or parents is prohibited.
16.
Staff
must be free of physical and psychological conditions that might adversely
affect children’s mental or physical health.
If in doubt, an expert should be consulted.
17.
Staff
will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of
respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity.
18.
The CVBC
does not accept any liability or responsibility for campers, once they have
returned home. If staff and campers
see each other for any type of activity outside of the week at camp, the
parents/guardians are legally responsible for the safety of their children, and
these activities will not be sponsored or supported by the CVBC.
19.
Staff may
not date program participants under the age of 18 years old.
20.
Under no
circumstances should staff release children to anyone other than the authorized
parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written
parent authorization on file in camper application).
I
understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in termination.
Signature page of Agreement to Policies and Code of
Conduct for Central Virginia Burn Camp Counselors and Volunteers.
Please sign this page,
tear it out, and turn it in at the beginning of counselor orientation.
I have read and fully understand the attached personnel
policies and agree to abide by them as a Central Virginia Burn Camp Counselor
and Volunteer. I
also agree to waive, release and forever discharge the owners and operators of
Camp Holiday Trails, the Central Virginia Burn Camp and their respective agents
from all liability, claims or damages, except for those resulting from
recklessness or willful misconduct, on account of injury to myself or loss or
damage to my property. I further hereby agree to hold harmless and to indemnify and
defend the aforesaid owners and operators of Camp Holiday Trails, Central
Virginia Burn Camp and their agents, from and against any claims, loss, damage,
cost, or expense including reasonable attorney fees, that may be occurred as a
result of any such action, claim or demand, except for those based upon acts of
recklessness or willful misconduct.
Signature _______________________________________________
Date _____________________________
Print Name _____________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________________________
E-Mail
____________________________________________________________
Phone number ___________________________________________
Guidelines
for Disciplinary Procedures
As
previously noted in the Handbook, the
camp setting is a unique one for discipline.
While camp should be fun and free, we must create an environment that is
safe and fun for everyone. While
most children will have need for discipline at some point, a child who
consistently requires disciplinary actions creates an environment that is not
enjoyable for others and one that is potentially not safe for him or herself.
In
addition to the general guidelines and articles on discipline and communication
provided (please be sure to read them……), we have developed, based on
experience, specific guidelines for all Counselors and Staff to use to help
ensure consistency. Please keep in
mind that each situation does need to be taken into consideration.
1.
Misconduct
takes place for the 1st time
: State the appropriate, desired behavior.
2.
Misconduct
continues or takes place a 2nd
time for the same activity: Provide
a warning that if the desired behavior does not occur, there will be time out
from the particular activity.
3.
Misconduct
continues or takes place for the 3rd
time during the activity: The
child is removed from the activity for 5 – 10 minutes.
4.
Continued
misconduct once back in the activity, the child is removed from the activity
entirely.
(in
this situation, a Camp Director, as well as 1 or 2 counselors participating in
same activity should be notified to ensure consistency of discipline).
Immediate
removal from an activity is necessary if anyone’s safety is compromised.
5.
If
a pattern of misconduct is evident, the counselor should notify a Camp Director.
The Camp Director will meet with the counselor and camper to help
establish a contract for proper behavior.
A phone conference will be had with campers parents and
camper may be removed from camp if behavior does not improve.
As important
as discipline is, it is equally important to “catch kids in the act of doing
things right” ! Give positive feedback whenever possible.
This encourages good behavior and helps boost self-esteem.
General
Job Description for Counselors
Your job as a counselor at
Central Virginia Burn Camp is to help create an environment that is safe enough
for the campers to be who they are yet challenging enough to help them risk who
they are for who they can become! You
are the most important ingredient in making camp happen. You must be patient and
continually aware of your strongest tool: PERSONAL EXAMPLE.
Broad
Function: All counselors are responsible for contributing to the total
camper experience in a positive, nurturing and understanding manner while
creating a welcoming and accepting environment in their cabins.
Responsibilities:
1.
Recognition of camper
development needs.
This includes the ability to address a variety of camper
needs such as homesickness, peer acceptance, etc; the understanding of
appropriate behavior intervention methods and use of these techniques; and the
ability to facilitate group process and peer interaction.
2.
Recognition and follow through
of camper medical, physical and
This
includes the ability to recognize signs of medical problems and the ability to
communicate these needs/ problems to the Camp Directors; and the participation
in camper needs such as therapy and scar management.
Before
your camper arrives, you will be given information about your camper.
One of the most important things to notice is whether or not a camper’s
activities are to be restricted. There
may also be confidential information which you will need to note.
Please see that this information is
kept confidential.
Also
note any medication that the child may need during camp.
Medication should be administered by Camp Director and Nurse, Sharon
Bragg.
It
is your responsibility to see that these needs are met.
You
should also make all efforts to prevent accidents and illness of campers and see
that they attend to their daily hygiene.
3.
Review and follow through with cabin expectations, and general
camper expectations.
This
includes reporting to your pre-assigned cabin and assisting your camper in
getting settled in his/her cabin. Ideally,
you will be in the same cabin as your camper, but this may not be possible
because of the higher female counselor/ male camper ratio.
A counselor of the same sex
You
will also be responsible for reviewing the expectations we have for the campers
and helping the camper to follow through with these.
4.
Review and follow the camp’s Emergency Procedures and Safety
Plan.
5.
Contribute to overall camp program
and environment.
This includes participation in programs and
activities with energy and enthusiasm at all times; participation in staff
orientation; and being a positive role model to campers at all times.
6.
Active participation in and mature member of the full counselor/ staff
team.
This
includes, above all, communicating needs, disagreements, and disgruntlements
with other staff members to those involved – GO TO THE SOURCE – as well as
communicating positive and much appreciated efforts of other staff members to
those members.
7.
Present self in a professional and accountable manner.
This includes acting in a professional, mature manner with respect to
campers, counselors and other staff members.
8.
Oversee upkeep of cabins and overall appearance of camp.
This includes encouraging camper participation in daily maintenance of cabins, including keeping belongings neat and together, throwing trash away, etc; the accountability of own belongings, and the clean-up of activity areas after an activity
The Central
Virginia Burn Camp advocates a positive guidance and discipline policy with an
emphasis on positive reinforcement, redirection, prevention and the development
of self-discipline. At no time will
the following disciplinary techniques be tolerated: physical punishment,
striking, biting, kicking squeezing, shaming, withholding food or restroom
privileges, confining children in small locked rooms or verbal or emotional
abuse.
Affectionate touch and the warm feeling it brings is an important factor
in helping a child grow into a loving and peaceful adult.
However, CVBC staff and volunteers need to be sensitive to each
person’s need for personal space (i.e. not everyone wants to be hugged).
CVBC encourages age appropriate touch that helps children develop
feelings of trust, security and self-esteem; however, at the same time it
prohibits inappropriate touch – touch that exploits a child or touch initiated
by an adult for the adult’s gratification or other means of sexually
exploiting children.
In the event
that there is an accusation of child abuse, CVBC will take prompt and immediate
action as follows:
1.
At the first
report or probable cause to believe that child abuse has occurred, the staff
person to whom it has been reported will notify a Camp Director who will then
review the incident with the other CVBC Directors.
Most
states mandate each teacher or child care provider to report information they
have learned in their professional role regarding suspected child abuse.
In most states, mandated reporters are granted immunity from prosecution.
2.
CVBC will
make a report in accordance with relevant state or local child abuse reporting
requirements and will cooperate to the extent of the law with any legal
authority involved.
3.
In the event
that the reported incident(s) involves a CVBC counselor or volunteer and the
incident is substantiated, a Camp Director will, without exception,
terminate the counselor or volunteer from CVBC.
4.
The parents
or legal guardian of the child(ren) involved in the alleged incident will be
promptly notified in accordance with the directions of the relevant state or
local agency.
5.
Whether the
incident or alleged offense takes place on or off CVBC premises, it will be
considered job related (because of the youth –involved nature of CVBC).
6.
Reinstatement
of the CVBC counselor or volunteer will occur only after all allegations have
been cleared to the satisfaction of the persons named in # 1 above.
7.
All CVBC
counselors and volunteers must be sensitive to the need for confidentiality in
the handling of this information, and therefore, should only discuss the
incident with the persons named in # 1 above.
8.
All
counselors and volunteers must read and sign this.
_________________________________
__________________________________
Signature
Date
IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY, ALL CABIN MEMBERS ARE TO GET OUT OF THE CABIN AND MEET AT THE PAVILION. AT THIS TIME, A HEAD COUNT WILL BE DONE.
****IT IS
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CABIN LEADER/COUNSELOR TO MAKE SURE YOUR GROUP IS ALL
ACCOUNTED FOR !****
IN THE EVENT
OF A FIRE, PLEASE FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE FIRE SAFETY RULES:
R – RESCUE
A – ALARM
C –
CONTAIN
E –
EXTINGUISH
P – PULL
THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER PIN
A – AIM
THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AT THE SOURCE
S –
SQUEEZE THE TRIGGER
S – SPRAY
AND USE A SWEEPING MOTION
NO ONE
EXCEPT A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL SHOULD RISK INJURY ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH A
FIRE!
CABIN
EXPECTATIONS
ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF CAMP, HAVE A MEETING WITH THE CAMPERS IN YOUR CABIN. THIS MEETING IS TO:
1.
NAME YOUR CABIN
2.
GO OVER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.
3.
GO OVER CAMP RULES AND EXPECTED CAMP BEHAVIOR.
4.
HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION AND ENCOURAGE EACH CAMPER
TO TALK TO LET EVERYONE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.
COUNSELOR CABIN RESPONSIBILITY:
After
campers are settled in their cabins in bed at night, counselors may sit on the
porch to talk to other counselors and volunteers.
There must be one counselor per cabin on the porch or in the cabin at all
times when the campers are in there.
SAFETY PLAN
1.
In the event of an emergency or accident, all
participants will follow the instructions of the Camp Director or counselor in
charge of that event.
2.
The Director or Counselor will initiate basic life
support care and/or initiate a call to 911.
(The local rescue squad is less than 4 miles away and has a 24 hour staff
available.) Many camp counselors and volunteers are trained in advanced life
support.
3.
All campers should behave in an orderly and calm
manner. Listen for instructions!
4.
In the event of a large scale emergency, you will
hear three (3) long whistle blasts to announce the call for immediate attention.
All campers, counselors and volunteers will meet in the pavilion area.
At this time, an head count will be made.
You will be made aware of other instructions.
ALL CAMPERS, COUNSELORS AND VOLUNTEERS MUST FOLLOW RULES OF GOOD CONDUCT. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW THE SAFETY RULES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE CAMP.
Missing Child Policy
1.
When
it has been learned that there may be a child missing, everyone should gather
together and positively identify
which child is missing as well as the partner that was assigned to the missing
child.
2.
Try to ascertain exactly where the partner last saw the child.
3.
Start a basic search of the immediate area back to the area where the
child
was last seen. Shout the child's name while searching. Keep the rest of
the
group together, with the exception of several pairs of partners who
should be
sent back to camp (or to the initial meeting place if away from camp)
with the remaining kids to begin any
necessary arrangements for a more advanced search.
When the kids are sent back,
it is imperative that they understand the importance of
4.
A
more thorough search can be done utilizing a grid search. That is, spreading out
in a line, while keeping someone on the path, everyone in line of sight of the
person next to them, and searching a defined area. Once that area has been
searched, they move as a group to another defined area.(defined area: eg -from a
clearing to a tree that everyone can identify on the trail.)
Searchers must remain within sight of one another as to not become lost.
5.
The
group that was sent back to camp should begin to notify the local agency(s)
responsible for response to that area, ie - fire dept., police dept., forest
ranger, etc Once called, these groups can always be cancelled if the child is
found, but valuable time will be lost if they are not called as soon as possible
and they are needed.
6.
While searching, look for any signs of where the camper may have left the
trail and gone into the
woods, if hiking, or away from the group if on another outing.
7.
Make
sure that we can positively identify the area we were in so that we can pass
that information on to the responders who will begin their own search.
The best possible preventive
measure we can take is a strong accountability
system. Everyone is assigned
a partner, in our case a camper/counselor. The
counselor is responsible for
the camper, and the camper is responsible for
the counselor. And once the
hike begins, remember who is hiking in front of
you and try to keep that
order so that anyone who is not where they should be
is readily accounted for.
Keep the hike at a pace where everyone can keep up,
and make sure that the last
counselor in line keeps the slower kids with the
group.
This applies as well for any
type of outing off camp that we may take. Know
where your partner is at all times.
In case of a missing person incident, the MISSING PERSON FORM will be
filled out.
AS
A CAMPER:
You have
specific rights and responsibilities with regard to your stay at Central
Virginia Burn Camp. We encourage
you to read your rights and responsibilities carefully.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
Receive a
camp experience from individuals who are trained and competent to perform their
duties. Be treated with courtesy
and respect by all who provide camp services to you, and to be given strict
privacy and confidentiality on all
personal and medical information concerning your care.
Be free from
mental and physical abuse and property exploitation.
Be treated
without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, or
handicap.
Recommend
changes to a Camp Director without fear of discrimination, coercion, reprisal,
or interruption of experiences as a camper at Central Virginia Burn Camp.
YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO:
Give
accurate and complete health information and to participate in as full a camp
program as is physically possible.
Help develop
and maintain a safe environment.
Understand that the use of possession of firearms or other weapons, alcohol, drugs or tobacco products while enrolled as a Central Virginia Burn Camp camper is strictly prohibited and will res