Child Protection Policy

POLICY STATEMENT: Beebe Advent Christian Camp (BACC) will take precautions to
provide a safe environment for children and youth participating in events at Camp.

POLICY:
I. RECRUITMENT, SCREENING AND TRAINING PROCESS
   1. The Youth Ministry Committee and/or Board of Directors will determine if an               

          individual is a suitable or potential candidate for children’s or youth ministry.
   2. Prospective ministry personnel are to submit to the recruitment and screening

          process managed by the Youth Ministry Committee/Board of Directors.
   3. Applicants must provide the following documents to be approved for children’s/youth

          ministry positions:
       i) Ministry Application Form
       ii) Signed statement of faith
       iii) Reference checks
       iv) Police records check (every 5 years)
   4. All ministry personnel must have been regularly attending their church for the past

         6 months.
   5. Final approval will be at the discretion of the Youth Committee/Board of Directors.
   6. Ministry personnel must complete the recruitment and screening process prior to

         being placed in a position of trust. Workers in process of completing the
         recruitment and screening process will not be placed in a position of trust.
   7. Ministry personnel who serve children and youth must have a personnel file kept
         with Camp records. These files are to be kept permanently.
   8. This Child Protection Policy will be communicated to all staff and ministry
         personnel at the time of approval, during camp orientation and reinforced
         throughout the season.
   9. This Child Protection Policy will be approved by the Board of Directors,
         communicated to new Directors at the time they join the Board, and reinforced
         throughout the year.

 

II. CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES
   1. A complete consent form is required for each child participating in events at
         BACC. These forms will be kept in the ministry leader’s possession during the
         event, then kept on file permanently.
   2. Receiving and releasing children 6 years and under is to be done by the parent of
         guardian.

   3. At least one Ministry personnel will always be present with children.
   4. Ministry personnel will not be alone (one-on-one) with a child.
   5. Ministry personnel must always have more than one child in a classroom. Single
         children may join another group.
   6. Doors and/or windows with lines of sight will be kept open while working with
         children in any of the camp buildings.
   7. Attendance of children and ministry personnel will be taken each day and filed
         permanently.
   8. Occasional visitors will also have their attendance recorded and kept on file with
         the attendance for that day. Visitors who have not been screened and approved
         will not be placed in a position of trust with children who are not their own.
   9. Washroom guidelines for Preschool & Younger Elementary Children:
       a. Preschool children are not to go to the washroom alone.
       b. Ministry personnel will never be alone with a child in an unsupervised washroom; 

            they are never to go into the cubicle with the child and shut the door.
       c. Ministry personnel will accompany the child to the washroom, and wait outside the

            door.
       d. If the child needs help, the outer door of the washroom must be kept open, and

            the adult will stand in the open cubicle doorway.
       e. Younger elementary children are not to be sent to the washroom alone but are to

            be accompanied by a buddy.
   10.Discipline and Classroom Management 
       a. All discipline and classroom management will be conducted in a loving and caring

            environment. All attempts will be made to prevent discipline problems from arising

            and to avoid the need for remedial discipline.
       b. Parents will be notified if there is a problem with a child’s behaviour negatively

            affecting classroom management.
       c. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated
       d. Ministry personnel will not administer physical punishment.

 

III. YOUTH PROTECTION PROCEDURES
   1. Ministry personnel are to be role models of integrity at all times. Ministry personnel

           will refrain from activities that are illegal or could be considered morally and
           biblically questionable.
   2. One-on-one mentoring must be done in a public, visible setting within sight of other

           ministry personnel.
   3. Ministry personnel will be aware of what constitutes appropriate touch:
       a. Shoulder-to-shoulder hugs
       b. Touch on the back or shoulder
       c. One arm hugs

   4. Ministry personnel working with youth may not pursue a dating relationship with a

          camper.
   5. There must be at least two (2) ministry personnel or other approved adults at all
          events.
   6. Youth will not be allowed to leave the event without clear permission from the

          parent/guardian. Parents will be notified if youth leaves without consent and this
          will be kept on file with the Beebe Advent Christian Camp Youth Ministry files.
   7. Attendance of youth and ministry personnel or others to be taken at each event
          (daily during day camp) and filed permanently.

 

IV. INTERNET AND SOCIAL MEDIA
   Beebe Advent Christian Camp recognizes the increasingly significant role of social
   media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc., especially among youth.
   However, these sites are increasingly public and may also attract those who seek to do
   harm. Therefore:
   1. Personnel may NOT post photos of campers, students or staff aged 16 years or less
       on their personal Facebook account or other social media site under any
       circumstances.
   2. Contact between campers and Ministry personnel using social media or other
       electronic means may ONLY take place with the prior permission of their parent(s)
       or guardian(s).
   3. Photos of children under 18 years may only be posted to the Beebe Advent
       Christian Camp website or newsletter with prior written permission of the parent or
       guardian.
   4. Children/youth will not be identifiable by name or implication in stories or pictures
       without written consent.
   5. Content that may allow privileged information such as family difficulties, crimes or
       abuse must be held in the highest confidence and should not be shared.
   6. Language used in communications must be kept to the highest level of professional
       standards.
   7. Social media sites operated by ministry personnel should reflect a lifestyle
       consistent with a follower of Christ, in accordance with Beebe Advent Christian
       Camp’s statement of faith, whether used for personal or ministry-related
       communications.
   8. Ministry personnel must not knowingly enable youth to break the policies of the
       sites themselves (i.e. Facebook users should be at least 13 years of age).

 

V. SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND CHILD ABUSE
   1. Beebe Advent Christian Camp is committed to being a place free from sexual
       harassment and child abuse.
   2. Sexual harassment is a violation of God’s will as expressed in biblical laws, as well
       as federal and provincial anti-discrimination laws, and is prohibited regardless of
       whom it is directed towards. This conduct will not be tolerated.
  3. Child Abuse:

       a. We define child abuse as a state or condition of being physically or emotionally

           harmed, sexually molested or sexually exploited.
       b. Any person who receives information that a child in his/her care may be suffering

           from or may have suffered abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) has a duty to report

           this to the Ministry director immediately. Ministry personnel are legally bound to

           report any confirmed or well-founded suspicion of child abuse, regardless of the

           minor’s wishes.

      c. A person who knowingly fails to report in these circumstances is in violation of the

           law and may be found to have committed an offence.
      d. Further action will progress according to the Beebe Advent Christian Camp
           protocol for reporting suspected child abuse.
   e. Confidentiality and privacy for the child will be maintained. Only those people

           identified in the reporting protocol will be informed of the incident.

 

VI. TRANSPORTATION
   1. Children will be transported safely, meeting the provincial laws for safety seats. As
       of April 2019, in the province of Quebec all children under the age of 9 years are
       required to use car seats or booster seats unless they stand taller than 4’9” (1.45m).
       Some children may still need to use booster seats if their legs are too short to bend
       over the edge of the seat, even in they are 1.45 m tall or 9 years of age. Children

       must be in appropriate seats to be transported.
   2. Children 12 years and under must sit in the rear seat.
   3. Permission for transportation must be obtained from the parent/guardian.
   4. Drivers must obey all the rules of the road including the speed limits. Reckless or

       unsafe driving will not be tolerated.
   5. All ministry personnel drivers transporting youth must:
       a) Be approved by the ministry leads
       b) Have had a minimum of 3 years driving experience and a be a minimum of 21

           years of age.
   6. The number of occupants in the vehicle will not exceed the number of seat belts.

       Seat belts must be worn by everyone and remain fastened at all times the vehicle is
       in motion.
   7. The ministry leader will keep a list of the names of the youths riding with each
       driver. Youths will not change vehicles without permission from the ministry leader.

 

VII. DEALING WITH INJURIES
   1. In case of an injury at a Camp event, the following steps must be followed:

   2 See Beebe Advent Christian Camp “Reporting Suspected Child Abuse Protocol”

   3 https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/behaviours/child-safety-seats/choosing-right-seat-right-time/

       a) One or two witnesses and at least one ministry personnel must remain with the
           injured child/youth for assistance, comfort and to confirm information for the
           incident report. If the injury is severe and time is of the essence:
           i) Immediately call 9-1-1 if necessary
           ii) Contact the injured child/youth’s parent(s)/guardian and inform them of the
               situation.
           iii) Complete an Incident Report for the permanent records.

 

VIII. COUNSELLING YOUTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE & SUICIDE OR OTHER CRISES
   1. Keep information confidential unless the person’s welfare is at stake. As a general
       rule, only share information if the person consents.
   2. All counselors are legally bound to report physical abuse or neglect of a minor to
       the police after discussing with ministry leader (see Reporting Suspected child
       Abuse Protocol).
   3. Refer individuals requiring specialized physical, mental or emotional diagnosis,
       therapy or treatment to qualified healthcare professionals.