Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H CampingVirginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training ModulesVolunteer Training Modules

MODULE 10: BASICS OF 4-H MODULE 10: BASICS OF 4-H CAMP RISK MANAGEMENTCAMP RISK MANAGEMENT

Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

If you are a If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader4-H adult volunteer leader:: 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Consider the “2. Consider the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page.” listed on the last page. 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.

If you are a If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unityour unit::

1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.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 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer

leader training.leader training. 3. Use the “3. Use the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in ” listed on the last page as a resource in

reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

How to Use this InformationHow to Use this Information

Planning for the Best and WorstPlanning for the Best and Worst

Elements of riskElements of risk

NegligenceNegligence

Avoiding negligence at 4-H campAvoiding negligence at 4-H camp

OverviewOverview

A 4-H Center visitor drowns after jumping A 4-H Center visitor drowns after jumping over the swimming pool fence and diving in over the swimming pool fence and diving in while a life guard was not on duty.while a life guard was not on duty.

It can happen…..It can happen…..

A summer camp staff member is fired for A summer camp staff member is fired for stealing items from the camp store.stealing items from the camp store.


Teen counselors receive felony and Teen counselors receive felony and misdemeanor charges for encouraging misdemeanor charges for encouraging campers to fight.campers to fight.


A 4-H Center pool system shuts down after A 4-H Center pool system shuts down after being clogged with toilet paper following being clogged with toilet paper following Thursday night pranks. The adult volunteer Thursday night pranks. The adult volunteer who encouraged the teens to participate is who encouraged the teens to participate is released from 4-H.released from 4-H.


A summer camp staff member is released for A summer camp staff member is released for making a sexually inappropriate comment making a sexually inappropriate comment about a female C.I.T. about a female C.I.T.


An adult volunteer leader is charged with An adult volunteer leader is charged with assault for grabbing a camper’s arm and assault for grabbing a camper’s arm and throwing him against a wall.throwing him against a wall.


A camper runs out of a 4-H Center lodge A camper runs out of a 4-H Center lodge threatening to kill himself. He continues threatening to kill himself. He continues running down the road off of 4-H Center running down the road off of 4-H Center property.property.


A camper is hit by a tree during a storm. The A camper is hit by a tree during a storm. The camper later alleges that he was never told camper later alleges that he was never told where to go in an emergency.where to go in an emergency.


A 4-H Center summer camp staff member is A 4-H Center summer camp staff member is charged will assault and sexual misconduct charged will assault and sexual misconduct for allegedly touching female teen counselors for allegedly touching female teen counselors during canoeing class.during canoeing class.


““Risk management”Risk management” is the term given to the process is the term given to the process that we use to identify, analyze, and manage risk during that we use to identify, analyze, and manage risk during 4-H activities. 4-H activities.

The objective of risk management is the protection of our The objective of risk management is the protection of our humanhuman, , financialfinancial, and , and physicalphysical resources resources from loss or from loss or destruction. destruction.

In other words, risk management is for In other words, risk management is for your protectionyour protection..

Risk ManagementRisk Management

Risk management before, during, and after 4-H Risk management before, during, and after 4-H camping programs involves protecting 4-H youth, camping programs involves protecting 4-H youth, volunteers, and staff. volunteers, and staff.

Therefore, Therefore, everyone in a 4-H camp planning and everyone in a 4-H camp planning and supervisory role (staff and volunteers) is supervisory role (staff and volunteers) is responsible for risk managementresponsible for risk management and maintaining a and maintaining a safe environment for youth who attend 4-H camp! safe environment for youth who attend 4-H camp!

Who is responsible for risk Who is responsible for risk management at 4-H camp?management at 4-H camp?

At 4-H camp, paid and volunteer staff have a legal At 4-H camp, paid and volunteer staff have a legal “duty of care”“duty of care” to protect the well-being of the campers to protect the well-being of the campers who are under your supervision.who are under your supervision.

When does this “duty of care” begin?When does this “duty of care” begin?

Duty of Care at 4-H CampDuty of Care at 4-H Camp

The term The term “liability”“liability” means responsibility. means responsibility.

Liability involves the concept of a “penalty” when a Liability involves the concept of a “penalty” when a responsibility may not have been metresponsibility may not have been met..

A 4-H volunteer might be “liable” if he/she fails to A 4-H volunteer might be “liable” if he/she fails to perform his/her responsibilities.perform his/her responsibilities.

Liability at 4-H CampLiability at 4-H Camp

The term The term “negligence”“negligence” means the failure to do—or means the failure to do—or not to do—what a “prudent” (reasonable) person would not to do—what a “prudent” (reasonable) person would have done in the same situation or similar situation.have done in the same situation or similar situation.

NegligenceNegligence

Duty of careDuty of care

Failure to act responsiblyFailure to act responsibly

InjuryInjury

Connection between your failure to act responsibly Connection between your failure to act responsibly and the injury.and the injury.

Negligence requires…Negligence requires…

Pay attention to your campers Pay attention to your campers Your primary purpose in camp is camper supervision.Your primary purpose in camp is camper supervision. Focus on campers rather than focusing on your friendsFocus on campers rather than focusing on your friends Listen to campers concerns and needsListen to campers concerns and needs Know WHO your campers are (learn your campers’ Know WHO your campers are (learn your campers’

names, interests, concerns, fears, etc.)names, interests, concerns, fears, etc.) Know WHERE you campers are (check roll, use a buddy Know WHERE you campers are (check roll, use a buddy

system)system)

7 Ways to Avoid Negligence7 Ways to Avoid Negligence

Never get into a one-on-one situationNever get into a one-on-one situation Follow the “above suspicion” policy by staying in groups Follow the “above suspicion” policy by staying in groups

of 3 or more at all timesof 3 or more at all times Help other volunteers avoid one-on-one situationsHelp other volunteers avoid one-on-one situations


Never lose your coolNever lose your cool Don’t yell or scream at campers Don’t yell or scream at campers If you have to place your hands on a child (for example, If you have to place your hands on a child (for example,

breaking up a fight), use the least amount of force breaking up a fight), use the least amount of force necessary to keep the campers from hurting themselves necessary to keep the campers from hurting themselves or others.or others.


Know your 4-H Center’s emergency proceduresKnow your 4-H Center’s emergency procedures Where to go if there is a fire in your cabin/lodgeWhere to go if there is a fire in your cabin/lodge What to do if a severe thunderstorm occurs What to do if a severe thunderstorm occurs Your role if one of your campers is injuredYour role if one of your campers is injured Reporting procedures if a camper discloses child neglect Reporting procedures if a camper discloses child neglect

or child abuse to youor child abuse to you


Follow the 4-H Code-of-ConductFollow the 4-H Code-of-Conduct Read, learn, and follow the 4-H Code-of-ConductRead, learn, and follow the 4-H Code-of-Conduct Remind your campers of the rulesRemind your campers of the rules Help your campers to understand the rulesHelp your campers to understand the rules Confront campers who break camp rulesConfront campers who break camp rules If you see or hear bullying- STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!If you see or hear bullying- STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!


Manage your campers well (but don’t abuse your Manage your campers well (but don’t abuse your authority)authority)

Be consistent with your expectationsBe consistent with your expectations Don’t allow campers to break camp rulesDon’t allow campers to break camp rules Use approved forms of discipline and behavior management [or Use approved forms of discipline and behavior management [or

example, a “time-out” (one minute for every year in age) may be example, a “time-out” (one minute for every year in age) may be appropriate]- check with your 4-H Agentappropriate]- check with your 4-H Agent

Never take away camp privileges unless approved by your 4-H Never take away camp privileges unless approved by your 4-H AgentAgent

Report any allegation or suspicion of child maltreatment to your Report any allegation or suspicion of child maltreatment to your Program DirectorProgram Director


Be aware of your words and actions!Be aware of your words and actions! Camp isn’t the place for dirty jokes, conversations about sex, Camp isn’t the place for dirty jokes, conversations about sex,

conversations about your relationships, remarks about someone conversations about your relationships, remarks about someone else’s body, hurtful remarks, teasing, etc.else’s body, hurtful remarks, teasing, etc.

Camp isn’t the place for flirting, suggestive body language, Camp isn’t the place for flirting, suggestive body language, intimidating/coercive behaviors)intimidating/coercive behaviors)

Remember that “Remember that “4-H camp words4-H camp words” and “” and “4-H camp behavior4-H camp behavior” apply ” apply at all times! (If you wouldn’t say or do something around your at all times! (If you wouldn’t say or do something around your mother and grandmother, then you shouldn’t say or do it around mother and grandmother, then you shouldn’t say or do it around others at camp.)others at camp.)


In order to reduce the likelihood of accidents and In order to reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents at 4-H camp, and in order to make 4-H camp incidents at 4-H camp, and in order to make 4-H camp a safe and positive experience for youth, Extension a safe and positive experience for youth, Extension Agents, 4-H Center Program Directors and Center Agents, 4-H Center Program Directors and Center Directors, and paid and volunteer staff prepare for Directors, and paid and volunteer staff prepare for 4-H camp 4-H camp months in advancemonths in advance..

With regards to “managing” the risks that are associated With regards to “managing” the risks that are associated with 4-H camp, this planning is called with 4-H camp, this planning is called “planning for the “planning for the best and worst.” best and worst.”

Planning for Best and WorstPlanning for Best and Worst

4-H volunteers can help to “plan for the best and worst” 4-H volunteers can help to “plan for the best and worst”

Before 4-H camp begins, Before 4-H camp begins, share your ideas for making share your ideas for making 4-H camp a safer experience4-H camp a safer experience with your 4-H Agent and with your 4-H Agent and Program DirectorProgram Director


During 4-H camp, During 4-H camp, be alert to dangerous conditionsbe alert to dangerous conditions

Hazards related to the facilities (cabins/lodges/pool/recreation Hazards related to the facilities (cabins/lodges/pool/recreation field, etc.)field, etc.)

Participant rowdiness, horseplay, aggressive behavior, etc.Participant rowdiness, horseplay, aggressive behavior, etc.

Anything else that could harm 4-H camp participants and 4-H Anything else that could harm 4-H camp participants and 4-H camp property camp property


Ultimately, 4-H camp safety involves the combined effort Ultimately, 4-H camp safety involves the combined effort of all 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff. of all 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff.

Although it is impossible to take all of the risk out Although it is impossible to take all of the risk out of the 4-H camp experience, many risks can be of the 4-H camp experience, many risks can be reduced, avoided, or managed.reduced, avoided, or managed.


In your own words, why is risk management an important part In your own words, why is risk management an important part of 4-H camping?of 4-H camping?

What is your role in the risk management process?What is your role in the risk management process?

Give an example of a situation in which you could be held Give an example of a situation in which you could be held liable (responsible) for a camper getting injured.liable (responsible) for a camper getting injured.

Name 2 things that you can do to avoid being negligent as a Name 2 things that you can do to avoid being negligent as a 4-H camp volunteer.4-H camp volunteer.

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Garst, B.A. (2005). Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook.Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

Virginia Cooperative Extension. (2004). Virginia Cooperative Extension. (2004). Risk Management InformationRisk Management Information. . Retrieved on March 19, 2004 from Retrieved on March 19, 2004 from http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/riskmgt.htmlhttp://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/riskmgt.html

ReferencesReferences

Documents

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules