ND Shooting Sports Risk Management/Safe Environment Training

1. ND Shooting Sports Risk Management/Safe Environment Training Planning for a Successful Safe Experience

2. Basic Instructor Expectations • It is expected that our volunteers are ready before or on time. Your attitude is positive and upbeat. • A program plan should be identified. The volunteer roles in the planned activities should be identified. Emergency storm or medical plans and contacts should be shared. (Meeting should be documented) • All particpants are treated fairly and consistently. • You need to put yourself in their place and ask what your expectations would be. Be caring, supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic. • Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Say please and thank you • Follow shooting discipline procedures. • Be aware of and be able to carry out emergency plans.

3. Basic Instructor Expectations • Know the activity plan and think about possible problems. (behavioral or safety) Inform your counselors and co-workers. • Locate yourself or a counselor near children who will need more attention to keep them on task. • Maintain a position to be able to view the group. • Don’t ask a camper to do something they are not capable of or afraid to do. • Don’t assume anything about children. • Don’t expect campers to sit at a structured activity too long. Give them breaks to move. Some kids need to move as they learn. • Eat and spend some leisure time with your group to build a connection that will bring them back to camp again. • Plan enough activities to keep kids busy. • Be part of the camp clean up at the end of camp.

4. Behavior Management Plan 1. Always use positive reinforcement (catch them doing something good) 2. Your first approach is to simply redirect the child. 3. Your next strategy is to identify the behavior, indicate the correct behavior, and ask for compliance. (focus on behavior not person) 4. If child fails to complete the request, they may need a time out. After the time out, the correct behavior is discussed and child can return to the group if they can comply. (You cannot leave them unsupervised.) 5. If a child is too disruptive, then they may need to be removed from the group. (where do they go and who takes them) (Complete behavior report) 6. Do not use a consequence that is unreasonable or would cause a safety concern. 7. Organize the activity to best manage the group. (Consider small/large group, activity needs, attention span, movement, transitions, and weather needs) 8. Plan enough activities to keep kids busy.

5. Ensuring a Safe Environment • To protect ALL individuals, instructors need to ensure during their activity, volunteers and staff work with youth in reasonably open spaces where others are welcome to enter and are present. • Do not spend time alone with a single child. If you have to retrieve a single child – tell someone or have another child to get them. • Respect the privacy of youth. • Maintain an adult ratio of one to 10 youth.

6. Ensuring A Safe Environment • Paid staff and volunteers should be alert to signs of abuse or neglect. (Review policies) • Reporting is mandatory. • Children are not under any circumstances, to be disciplined by physical punishment. • An adult will not share a room with one minor child who is not their child. • Know your youth’s health information. Do not dispense medication without authority to do so.

7. AlcoholicBeveragesand Illegal Drug Use • Zero tolerance - Extension staff and volunteers are reminded that adult behavior can and does have an impact on youth in many situations and environments. • It is expected that volunteers be positive role models for participating youth. • Individuals under the influence would not be protected by NDSU liability coverage.

8. Insurance • Volunteers/staff receive special protection under North Dakota state law as do state employees. • Your home office must take out special event insurance for any shooting sports, fishing, activity day, or horse camp to have injury insurance for participants. • All plans should be written and document who is in charge, and job responsibilities. • Individuals must act prudently and responsibly. You must do what others with similar background experience would do. (Have a emergency plan)

9. Automobile/Safe Operation of Machinery • Volunteers/ staff must rely on their own vehicle insurance when working in an Extension program. (check your auto policy) • Accidents are reported to your director. • Anyone who transports youth for Extension activities must have a valid drivers license. • Liability insurance must meet state law.

10. Automobile/Safe Operation of Equipment • Vehicles must be operated in a safe way, using good common sense and judgment. • Adults are role models. Adults should model safe operation of power tools etc. with the use of safety equipment.

11. Anti-discrimination Civil Rights Act of 1964 Extension volunteers and paid staff must not show discrimination in designing or delivering programs with respect to color, race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or handicap. Programs must be equally accessible to anyone.

12. Handlingand Care of Animals • Extension and youth are expected to handle and care for animals in a responsible manner and refrain from physical mistreatment. • Provide animals with clean, fresh water/feed • Dispose of manure/waste frequently • Supply adequate shelter and bedding • Use approved handling procedures