Horizon Protection and Prevention Policies

 

Horizon is given a sacred trust by the parents of our campers. We must be prepared to protect the safety of our campers and establish clear-cut guidelines for the conduct of those who have oversight of our campers. This policy is for all staff.

 

The conduct of all who minister in the name of Jesus Christ is of vital importance to the church because these representatives convey an understanding of God and the gospel's Good News. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the gospel in the church and the world.

 

It is the policy of Horizon that all Summer Staff, Volunteers and Board of Directors are to maintain the integrity of the ministerial relationship at all times. Sexual misconduct is a violation of the principles set forth in Scripture, and also of the ministerial role and God given places of influence, and is never permissible.

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The staff is to refrain from any implied or explicit form of sexual misconduct. There should NEVER be any conversations with sexual topics or sexual jokes.  As God who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct. (I Peter 1:15) 

 

Horizon has adopted the following policies to provide additional security for our campers. These policies are for the protection of the campers.
 

1. Avoid One-on-One Contact.

   • Adult to Camper: Adult leaders should use extreme care in avoiding one-on-one encounters with campers. In situations that require personal conferences, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and campers. If a camper approaches you when you are alone, move quickly to an area where there are others or ask the camper to meet you somewhere else (in a public area) in a few minutes. No private or personal counseling is allowed behind a closed door for any reason.
      

   • Camper to Camper: Care should also be taken to minimize one-on-one encounters between campers. Inside-access dorms have an open-door-while-occupied policy. In these dorms doors must remain unlocked and open while occupied. Suite dorms’ pass-through doors must remain open while occupied.
      

2. Respect Campers’ Privacy. Adult leaders must respect the privacy of campers in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must respect campers’ privacy in any similar situations.
    

3. Constructive Discipline. Discipline used at camp should be positive and constructive. No corporal punishment is permitted. If behavioral problems escalate, involve Ministry Staff and Directors immediately.
    

4. Hazing is Prohibited. Physical hazing and initiations may not be part of any camp activity.
    

5. Pranks are prohibited.  Pranks put someone or multiple people in a higher position, and therefore usually belittle others.  They usually cause hurt feelings.  There is a definite line between fun and jokes and pranks.  Be wise and err on the side of caution.
    

6. Campers’ Responsibilities. All campers are expected to conduct themselves within the principles set forth in the Camp Guidelines. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place at camp and may result in the removal of a camper from camp.
    

7. Shower with discretion. Counselors/Staff should shower away from campers. Public nakedness is not acceptable at any time. Model modesty in dress at ALL TIMES.
    

8. . Avoid conversations about things that have “sexual overtones,” “coarse joking” and “racial joking.”  Make sure that conversations have spiritual and wholesome tones.  Live out Ephesians 4:29.  And look for ways to bring God into conversations. 
   
   
    

Responding to and Reporting Abuse if a child discloses abuse to you.

 

It is important to stay calm and do not panic or overreact.  God may be using you in a very important way to help a student.  Pray continually during the conversation and let the Holy Spirit help you. 

 

Don't criticize the student.

 

Believe the student.

 

Be careful to avoid making him/her feel guilty and listen intently without offering advice or physical contact.

You will need to inform the student that you will immediately seek out a Camp Director who will in turn involve a Ministry Staff member to deal with this issue.   We are mandatory reporters, so if you find out of some kind of abuse happening to a minor, you are required by law to report it.

 

Do not do not discuss this information with other campers, co-counselors or other staff.

You will be asked to make an initial statement as the Camp Director/Ministry Staff will report this suspected abuse to authorities.

 

If the suspected abuse occurs at camp, the suspected abuse must be reported to the camp directors and proper authorities. The child will be removed from all contact with the accused. The parents will be contacted by a Board member immediately.

 

Again, you must report any suspected abuse.  You are not required to prove the abuse before you report it. 

 

The Horizon staff members (counselors, support staff, ministry staff and all other adults) are afforded much trust; they must avoid the appearance of impropriety which diverts us from the goal of our ministry together.