by Carol Hanover
The recent attention given to school and workplace violence has fueled
a major concern about safety in society. While camp directors make every
effort to prevent violent incidents, camp is not immune from violence.
Camp administrators, directors, and staff must understand the risk of
violence and learn to how to manage it.
For example, what would you do if a camper tried to sneak a gun into
camp or what if a camper told you about a peer who threatened him if
he spoke of a certain incident? The risk management process is critical
in helping you prepare for such scenarios. By practicing sound risk management
on a daily basis, you can reduce and eliminate potential accidents and
injuries. Therefore, to make your camp safer, camp staff must understand
what behaviors may lead to violence and the types of prevention programs
that are effective.
What Is Camp Violence?
Most people think violence is simply a physical assault. However, camp
violence is a much larger problem. It is an act in which a per-son is
abused, threatened, intimidated, or assaulted while at camp. This can
include campers, staff, and visitors. Camp violence includes, but is
not limited to:
- threatening behavior - shaking fists, destroying property,
or throwing objects.
- verbal or written threats - any expression of an intent to
cause harm.
- harassment - any behavior that demeans, embarrasses, humiliates,
annoys,
alarms, or verbally abuses a person and that is known or would be expected
to be unwelcome.
- verbal abuse - swearing, insults, or condescending language.
- physical attacks - hitting, shoving, pushing, or kicking.
- other more serious types of potential violence - pranks, arguments,
vandalism,
sabotage, theft, rape, arson, murder, and property damage.
Who Is Responsible for Prevention and Control?
Violence affects everyone at camp. Therefore, everyone is responsible
for preventing and controlling violence at camp. Parents, campers, staff,
administrators, and visitors need to work together and be involved in
the prevention and control program in order for it to be most effective.
Know the laws in your state and reach out to local authorities/agencies
for assistance.
What can be done to prevent/control camp violence?
The most critical component to any risk management program is management
commitment. Your commitment is best communicated in formal policy statements.
Here is a brief outline of some steps to take:
- Develop a formal policy statement(s) including a "zero tolerance" policy
for illegal possession of weapons, alcohol, or drugs.
- Define what you mean by camp violence in precise, clear language.
- Establish a system for documenting violent incidents at camp.
- Establish a violence assessment team to conduct formal investigations
of incidents reported.
- Create a violence prevention/response plan. This plan must be consistent
with federal, state, and local laws. (Everyone should know what to
do in the event of an emergency.)
- Develop procedures and responsibilities for immediate violent crisis
at camp.
- Develop written rules of conduct applied in a nondiscriminatory manner.
- Identify the early warning signs of potentially violent behaviors
and procedures for identifying children who exhibit these signs (see
below).
- Precisely state the consequences of violence at camp. (Be sure consequences
are commensurate with the offense.)
- Encourage reporting of all violent incidents.
- Outline procedures for investigating and resolving complaints.
- Communicate all policies and procedures to campers, staff, and parents.
- Train all staff and administrators in the violence prevention and
response plan.
This training should include, but not be limited to, effective prevention
plans,
intervention strategies, and a crisis-intervention plan.
- Document, document, document.
The Warning Signs of Violence
Beyond taking violence prevention and control measures at your camp,
you should also learn to detect early warning signs of potentially violent
behaviors. Keep in mind that it is important to use the signs responsibly
and avoid inappropriately labeling a person because he exhibits possible
warning signs.
Warning signs may or may not indicate a serious problem, and
only trained professionals should make diagnoses in consultation with
the child's parent or guardian. However, recognizing early warning signs
of violence does allow camp staff to act responsibly by getting help
for the child before a problem escalates. Administrators should ensure
that these signs are used only for identification and referral purposes.
Following are only a few warning signs of violent behavior (they are
presented in no particular order):
- social withdrawal
- excessive feelings of isolation or being alone
- excessive feelings of rejection
- feelings of being picked on or persecuted
- no camp interest or poor camp involvement
- being a victim of violence
- expression of violence in writings and drawings
- uncontrolled anger
- patterns of impulsive and chronic hitting, intimidating, and bullying
behaviors
- history of discipline problems
- affiliation with gangs
- serious threats of violence
- past history of violent or aggressive behavior
- drug use or alcohol
No single warning sign can predict that a violent act will occur. Rather,
imminent warning signs usually are present as a sequence of overt, serious,
hostile behaviors or threats directed at campers, staff, or other individuals.
Imminent warning signs may include:
- serious physical fighting with peers or staff
- severe destruction of property
- severe rage for seemingly minor reasons
- detailed threats of lethal violence
- possession and/or use of firearms and other weapons
- other self-injurious behaviors or threats of suicide
When warning signs indicate that danger is imminent, safety must always
be the first and foremost consideration. Action must be taken immediately.
Immediate intervention by camp authorities and possibly law enforcement
officers must be implemented.
Commit to Daily Risk Management
Crises involving sudden violence at camp, at school, or in the workplace
are traumatic in large measure because they are rare and unexpected.
Becoming proactive, not reactive in the prevention of camp violence,
will assist you in managing the risk of violence. Remember, camp safety
is everyone's job and responsibility. Administrators, parents, campers,
and staff all must commit to daily risk management.
Related Topics
How Do I Know if My Camp Is at Risk for Violence
Accidents and How They Impact
Camp
Tips for Creating a Safe Camp
Originally published in the 2000 May/June of Camping
Magazine.
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