GENERAL
1. 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.
2. Teachers or supervisors shall be members of the church or directly accountable to a member.
SUPERVISION
3. 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 in the case of Youth Conference when the child departs from the camp property.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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
7. We will not speak to any child in a demeaning manner.
8. 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 behaviour.
CHILD ABUSE
9. The Christadelphian Bible Camp has zero tolerance for child abuse. All children have a right to feel safe and be safe, and every child has an equal right to protection from abuse. Managing and handling an abuse scenario should always be in the lens of the victim first. This includes believing and taking any allegations seriously and putting the interest of the victim above all else. In the spirit of rendering to Caesar, all involved should be thoroughly familiar with their legal responsibilities and work willingly/diligently with local authorities to ensure the safety and protection of the victim. Child abuse is not an area that should be investigated solely within the Christadelphian Bible Camp.
If there is any suspected abuse a member of the Bible Camp committee must be notified immediately, and the Child Safety Policy (Prevention and Reporting of Abuse) will be used as a guiding document.
HEALTH
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 Conference, 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.
Approved January 17, 2008
Christadelphian Bible Camp 