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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules. MODULE 10: BASICS OF 4-H CAMP RISK MANAGEMENT. 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 :

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Virginia 4-H Camping Volunteer Training Modules

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  1. Virginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training Modules MODULE 10: BASICS OF 4-H CAMP RISK MANAGEMENT Developed by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist 4-H Youth Development, March 2006

  2. 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.

  3. Overview • Planning for the Best and Worst • Elements of risk • Negligence • Avoiding negligence at 4-H camp

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

  5. It can happen….. • A summer camp staff member is fired for stealing items from the camp store.

  6. It can happen….. • Teen counselors receive felony and misdemeanor charges for encouraging campers to fight.

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

  8. It can happen….. • A summer camp staff member is released for making a sexually inappropriate comment about a female C.I.T.

  9. It can happen….. • An adult volunteer leader is charged with assault for grabbing a camper’s arm and throwing him against a wall.

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

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

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

  13. Risk Management • “Risk management” is the term given to the process that we use to identify, analyze, and manage risk during 4-H activities. • The objective of risk management is the protection of our human, financial, and physical resources from loss or destruction. • In other words, risk management is for your protection.

  14. Who is responsible for risk management at 4-H camp? • Risk management before, during, and after 4-H camping programs involves protecting 4-H youth, volunteers, and staff. • Therefore, everyone in a 4-H camp planning and supervisory role (staff and volunteers) is responsible for risk management and maintaining a safe environment for youth who attend 4-H camp!

  15. Duty of Care at 4-H Camp • At 4-H camp, paid and volunteer staff have a legal “duty of care” to protect the well-being of the campers who are under your supervision. • When does this “duty of care” begin?

  16. Liability at 4-H Camp • The term “liability” means responsibility. • Liability involves the concept of a “penalty” when a responsibility may not have been met. • A 4-H volunteer might be “liable” if he/she fails to perform his/her responsibilities.

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

  18. Negligence requires… • Duty of care • Failure to act responsibly • Injury • Connection between your failure to act responsibly and the injury.

  19. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Pay attention to your campers • Your primary purpose in camp is camper supervision. • Focus on campers rather than focusing on your friends • Listen to campers concerns and needs • Know WHO your campers are (learn your campers’ names, interests, concerns, fears, etc.) • Know WHERE you campers are (check roll, use a buddy system)

  20. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Never get into a one-on-one situation • Follow the “above suspicion” policy by staying in groups of 3 or more at all times • Help other volunteers avoid one-on-one situations

  21. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Never lose your cool • Don’t yell or scream at campers • If you have to place your hands on a child (for example, breaking up a fight), use the least amount of force necessary to keep the campers from hurting themselves or others.

  22. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Know your 4-H Center’s emergency procedures • Where to go if there is a fire in your cabin/lodge • What to do if a severe thunderstorm occurs • Your role if one of your campers is injured • Reporting procedures if a camper discloses child neglect or child abuse to you

  23. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Follow the 4-H Code-of-Conduct • Read, learn, and follow the 4-H Code-of-Conduct • Remind your campers of the rules • Help your campers to understand the rules • Confront campers who break camp rules • If you see or hear bullying- STOP IT IMMEDIATELY!

  24. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Manage your campers well (but don’t abuse your authority) • Be consistent with your expectations • Don’t allow campers to break camp rules • Use approved forms of discipline and behavior management [or example, a “time-out” (one minute for every year in age) may be appropriate]- check with your 4-H Agent • Never take away camp privileges unless approved by your 4-H Agent • Report any allegation or suspicion of child maltreatment to your Program Director

  25. 7 Ways to Avoid Negligence • Be aware of your words and actions! • Camp isn’t the place for dirty jokes, conversations about sex, conversations about your relationships, remarks about someone else’s body, hurtful remarks, teasing, etc. • Camp isn’t the place for flirting, suggestive body language, intimidating/coercive behaviors) • Remember that “4-H camp words” and “4-H camp behavior” apply 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 others at camp.)

  26. Planning for Best and Worst • In order to reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents at 4-H camp, and in order to make 4-H camp a safe and positive experience for youth, Extension Agents, 4-H Center Program Directors and Center Directors, and paid and volunteer staff prepare for 4-H camp months in advance. • With regards to “managing” the risks that are associated with 4-H camp, this planning is called “planning for the best and worst.”

  27. Planning for Best and Worst • 4-H volunteers can help to “plan for the best and worst” • Before 4-H camp begins, share your ideas for making 4-H camp a safer experience with your 4-H Agent and Program Director

  28. Planning for Best and Worst • During 4-H camp, be alert to dangerous conditions • Hazards related to the facilities (cabins/lodges/pool/recreation field, etc.) • Participant rowdiness, horseplay, aggressive behavior, etc. • Anything else that could harm 4-H camp participants and 4-H camp property

  29. Planning for Best and Worst • Ultimately, 4-H camp safety involves the combined effort of all 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff. • Although it is impossible to take all of the risk out of the 4-H camp experience, many risks can be reduced, avoided, or managed.

  30. Discussion Questions • In your own words, why is risk management an important part of 4-H camping? • What is your role in the risk management process? • Give an example of a situation in which you could be held liable (responsible) for a camper getting injured. • Name 2 things that you can do to avoid being negligent as a 4-H camp volunteer.

  31. References • Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562. • Virginia Cooperative Extension. (2004). Risk Management Information. Retrieved on March 19, 2004 from http://www.ext.vt.edu/vce/policies/riskmgt.html

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