Required Camp Policies and Documents Guidance
(9) "A camp shall establish and provide a pre-camp training program for staff members. A camp shall ensure that the overall training time, including, pre-camp training, shall be not less than 3 hours for each week a person works for the first 10 weeks of the camp’s operation.”
(10) “A camp shall ensure the program content for the pre-camp training is in writing and includes all of the following information:
Staff training for all staff is essential for the overall successful functioning of a camp operation. Staff need to learn important information before caring for children. Pre-camp staff training is the first and best opportunity to set the expectations, culture, and tone for a successful camp experience. In addition, it is a time to be thorough in covering the requirements for the staff in carrying out the philosophy, objectives, policies, and operating procedures of the camp. The Pre-camp program content needs to be in writing and minimally include the items highlighted in the camp administrative rules under Rule 400.11109(10), but also there are other administrative rules that cover staff responsibilities. Here is a list of all the required items that must be covered during Pre-camp Staff Training:
| Topic | Rule Reference |
|---|---|
| Camp’s philosophy, objectives, policies, and operating procedures | R 400.11109(10)(a) |
| Responsibilities and procedures for Camper Behavior management | R 400.11109(10)(c), R 400.11113 |
| Developmental needs of the population that is served | R 400.11109(10)(d) |
| Responsibilities and procedures for acceptable Techniques of camper supervision | R 400.11109(10)(e) |
| Staff Job Descriptions | R 400.11109(8), R 400.11109(10)(b) |
| Responsibilities and procedures within the Child and Adult Protection Plan | R 400.11115 |
| Responsibilities and procedures within the Camper Release Plan | R 400.11117(3) |
| Responsibilities and Procedures within the Health Services Policy | R 400.11119 |
| Responsibilities and procedures within the Nutrition and Food Service policy | R 400.11131 |
| Responsibilities and procedures within the High Adventure Activity programs including aquatics and aquatic observer training | R 400.11133, R 400.11401, R 400.11411, R 400.11413, R 400.407 |
| Responsibilities and procedures within the response to emergencies and disasters plan and general site safety and sanitary condition. | R 400.11149, R 400.11223, R 400.11224, R 400.11313 |
Consultation:
The written record of the training content, dates, and times are required by administrative rule as well as verification that each staff member received all applicable training. There are several methods that camps have used to document the content, the verification of time and attendance, and format for delivery of the content. At times, pre-camp training materials are sent electronically with a verification of understanding the material or precamp training involves onsite training prior to the arrival of campers. Sometimes the content, dates, and times are developed within a calendar format or listing within a training log. Whatever instructional method or format a camp chooses to offer the pre-camp training, it does need to include detailed documentation of the time, content, qualified instructor, and staff attending.
Pre-Camp Training content can be found from many different sources. It is important to ensure that the training content is obtained from qualified sources and the material is presented by individuals qualified to lead the training. The pre-camp training presenters must be individuals that have experience and education that is consistent with industry standards for the material presented. For example: Individuals leading your camp pre-camp training on behavior management must have qualifications including experience and education that ensures that the information presented is accurate, up-to-date, and based on industry standards.
In-service training is a scheduled staff educational meeting during the camp operation focused on the ongoing needs of the camp. In-service trainings conducted while campers are in camp must ensure proper supervision and ratios of campers. Minimally, the in-service training documentation should include date, training content, and times. Camps typically focus on safety concerns, behavioral issues, program/schedule updates, and any other questions. In-service trainings are also great opportunities to build staff community and culture.
SAMPLE 1: COMPLIANCE LOG
PRE-CAMP TRAINING
Camp Staff Member:
WEEKS OF CAMP: ___________ HOURS OF TRAINING: _______
| Date | Time | Topic | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
| Date | Time | Topic | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - |
Must include: camp philosophy & objectives, developmental level characteristics, camp policies & procedures, general first aid and staffs responsibilities in health policy, emergency procedures, child protection law, behavior management policy, and high adventure activities including aquatic observing and procedures.
SAMPLE 2: DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF THE POPULATION SERVED
Note: It is important to obtain developmental needs of the population for qualified sources. Camp organizers may contact school personnel, consult with physicians, psychologists, or counselors; or conduct thorough research from qualified sources on-line. Not all children or adults have the same developmental needs. Nor do the developmental needs of children fall into age characteristics consistently. The list below is a sample of the types of information that helps the camp operator understand the developmental needs of its camper population. There are other tools online that help camp program planners identify the developmental needs of the camper population. Information in the state of Michigan Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focus on the Whole Child. (www.michigan.gov)
Age Level Characteristics RULE 109 (10)(d)
AGE GROUP: 7 - 8 - 9
AGE GROUP: 10 - 11 - 12
AGE GROUP: 13 - 14 - 15
AGE GROUP: 16 - 17
