Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training Modules MODULE 6: YOUTH SUPERVISION AT 4-H CAMP Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

How to Use this Information • If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Consider the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page. • 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information. • If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unit: • 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. • 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer leader training. • 3. Use the “Discussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

Overview • Importance of youth supervision at 4-H camp • 4-H camp youth supervision policies • In-Loco-Parentis • WHO is responsible for youth supervision at 4-H camp? • WHEN should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • HOW should youth be supervised at 4-H camp? • Camper Release Procedures

Importance of 4-H Camp Youth Supervision • Youth supervision is the most important aspect of a 4-H camp volunteer’s responsibilities. • This is the area in which parents/guardians have the highest expectations. • This is the area that—if done well—can make the greatest impact on whether or not a 4-H camp is successful. • However, this is also the area that—if not done well—can lead to a disastrous 4-H camp.

In-Loco-Parentis • The term “in loco parentis” (in loco puh-ren-tiss) means “in place of the parent.” • “In loco parentis” is the legal principle that governs a person’s actions when he/she is in charge of the supervision of minors. • This principle assumes that the person will act as any reasonably prudent parent would act in the same or similar circumstances.

In-Loco-Parentis • As a 4-H camp volunteer, you are acting “in loco parentis” (in place of the parents) when you supervise youth campers

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • As a 4-H camp volunteer, you should be informed in writing of your supervisory responsibilities over youth campers. • Talk to your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) for more information.

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • 4-H youth campers ages 9-13 must be supervised at all times by trained 4-H camp teen volunteers, adult volunteers, unit Extension faculty/staff, and/or 4-H Center faculty/staff in accordance with the appropriate supervision ratios below. • Cloverbud Camps (campers ages 5-8)-- staff/camper ratio of 1:5 (or better). • Junior 4-H Camp (campers ages 9-13)-- staff/camper ratio of 1:8 (or better). • Teen Camps (campers ages 14-18)-- staff/camper ratio of 1:10 (or better).

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • 4-H camp Teen Counselors and Adult Volunteers are expected to supervise campers at all times (except during their own scheduled “down time.”) • 4-H camp Counselors-in-Trainingare not allowed to supervise youth without the presence of a trained teen counselor, adult volunteer, or unit Extension faculty/staff.

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • 4-H camp Teen Counselors and/or Adult Volunteers (depending upon the lodging arrangements) are required to provide direct nighttime supervision to campers (for whom they have supervision responsibilities) except when a sick or injured child has to be transported to the camp medical staff person. In those situations, a second teen counselor or adult volunteer is to be notified to insure proper supervision during this exception.

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • Cabin or Lodge Checks • During Junior 4-H camp, each 4-H Center is required to conduct a cabin/lodge check periodically to ensure that all youth are accounted for, that all youth are in the appropriate locations at all times, and that all youth are supervised correctly at all times.

4-H Camp Youth Supervision Policies • Cabin or Lodge Checks • As a 4-H camp volunteer, you may have a role in this cabin/lodge check process. • Talk with your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) for more information regarding your role in cabin/lodge checks.

WHEN should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • At all times • While they are getting ready in the morning • During all meals • During all classes • During free time • During all scheduled activities • During afternoon and evening programs • While they are getting ready for bed • During nighttime hours

WHEN should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • Data collected across various type of camps from across the county tell us that accidents and incidents are more likely to occur during certain times of the day. During these times, appropriate supervision of 4-H campers becomes even more critical. These times are: • Rest periods • Time between classes • Time between scheduled programs/events • Immediately after lights-out • During nighttime hours • During inclement weather which keeps youth in cabins/lodge • During other discretionary or unstructured time

WHEN should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • All paid and volunteer 4-H camp staff who supervise youth during these times should be aware that these times are the most critical in terms of supervision. • Talk with your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) for more information regarding how youth will be supervised during these critical times.

HOW should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • To provide the appropriate level of supervision, care, and support to 4-H youth campers, teen and adult volunteers should spend their time with campers. • 4-H camp volunteers and paid staff should focus on campers rather than focusing their attention on other teens and adults.

HOW should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • Teen counselors and adult volunteers should place themselves wherever campers are(in accordance with their responsibilities at that time). • Teen counselors and adult volunteers should be alert and aware of where 4-H campers are and what they are doing.

HOW should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • Any suspicious orout-of-the-ordinary behavior, action, occurrence, incident should be reported to the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) and/or the 4-H Center Program Director immediately.

HOW should 4-H camp youth be supervised? • If you have any questions or concerns regarding youth supervision at 4-H camp, please discuss them with your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program).

Camper Release • There are two (2) common situations in which 4-H camp participants may be released from 4-H camp • One, 4-H camp participants may be released at the end of camp • Two, 4-H camp participants may be released during camp because of special situations and/or emergencies. • In these instances, it is important to be sure that the appropriate person is picking-up the 4-H camp participant.

Camper Release • When 4-H camp participants under the age of 18 are released at the end of camp, they can only be released to the person designated—by the parent/guardian—on the 4-H Health History Report Form.

Camper Release • When 4-H camp participants under the age of 18 are released during camp, a Camper Release Form is required. • A Camper Release Form should be completed and signed by the unit Extension faculty/staff (or volunteer serving as camp director), a 4-H Center representative, and the person picking up the 4-H camp participant.

Camper Release • As a 4-H camp volunteer, you can help to ensure that no child is released without first going to the “camp office” and following the correct camper release procedures. • Remember, no parent/guardian is allowed to take a child off of 4-H Center property without checking with the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) and the 4-H Center Program Director.

Discussion Questions • How can these 4-H camp supervision policies help to protect the health and safety of 4-H campers? • In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of supervising youth at 4-H camp? What could be done to make youth supervision more effective? • Identify one thing that you learned from this module that you did not already know. • What do you think is the most important thing that should be remembered from this module?

References • American Camping Association. (1998). Accreditation Standards for Camp Programs and Services. Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association. • Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules