Page 14 - Tampa YMCA Summer Camp Staff Resource Guide

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TAMPA METROPOLITAN AREA YMCA | SUMMER CAMP STAFF RESOURCE GUIDE
SUPERVISION
Appropriate supervision is tantamount to a successful camp’s program and quality. As camp staff members, parents are giving you their child to care for during the length of their stay. This relationship is called “loco parentis”, which translates from Latin to “in place of a parent.” The biggest question parents ask themselves when looking for a camp is “Will my child be safe?”
GENERAL SUPERVISION
To help create a safe environment at all times, camp has a Rule of Three. This policy helps to prevent camper on camper abuse and staff member on camper abuse. Campers should never be alone while at camp. There should always be at least three people (two campers and a staff member, two staff members and a camper, three campers, etc.). +
Performing face counts ensures that the correct amount of campers are with you at all times. Be sure to count faces, not just heads. Getting to know your camper’s names is a vital part of face counts.
CAMPER ORIENTATION
It is an expectation that we treat each week as a new week of camp. For some campers it might be their first time away from home without their parents. It is necessary to ensure each child feels comfortable and safe as we start each week. Every week Campers need to be educated about the facility, camp rules, and what they can expect to do during their week of camp. Each YMCA Family Center has a different orientation for each camper.