Camp Canaan is a christian adventure camping organisation that provides opportunities and resources
to develop one’s self and their relationship with God, through the outdoors. Since Camp Canaan runs
programs to bring about awareness, development and guidance in the lives of children and youth, we
commit to providing an environment and community that builds on the survival, protection,
participation and developmental rights for every child that attends our programs.
With the vision, “to provide an opportunity to touch, train and transform a life”, it is of great
importance that we ensure these opportunities are set in a safe community, and a positive culture, with
secure adventure and necessary rest. We believe that every child is made by God and has great value;
therefore our focus includes putting into place child safe measures through a range of standards,
guidelines and training materials.
Intake procedures
Team (includes staff and volunteers)
- The team to undergo a detailed recruitment process of interviewing, screening, reference checks, and police verification (required for staff), to ensure that there is no history of child exploitation, neglect or abuse.
- All staff and volunteers to undergo training in child safety and child protection.
- All trainers to be aware of child laws that exist and are applicable to our communities and our programs.
- To ensure there are trained professionals available for participants with special needs – emotional, physical, mental, social and spiritual.
- To ensure that the team reflects the values of the organisation when working with children; to respect and protect them, and their rights.
Parents & Participants
- To provide availability and access of specified staff to parents for queries and questions through
- phone calls or emails.
- To ensure every child attending any program organised by Camp Canaan, has provided a signed
- agreement form from their parents, along with their contact details and other specifics like
- medical requirements, food restrictions, etc.
- To ensure that participants with physical needs are accompanied with a helper to assist when
- required during the camp program. This includes using the restroom, feeding, etc.
- When running a program for children or youth, with a history of substance use/abuse, to include
- staff that are specialised in dealing with such cases and are capable to provide assistance, if
- required.
Visitors and Stakeholders
- Visitors are not allowed to meet with the participant for the duration of the camp program,
- unless in case of emergency.
- All visitors need to carry a form of photo identity and need to be approved of by the child’s
- parent, before meeting the child.
- The child is always accompanied by a team member, when meeting with the visitor.
- There is usually no need for a stakeholder to meet with any child. If this is required, for a specific
- reason, then the meeting is arranged with the parents, in their presence.
Prevention of harm
- To ensure there are separate sleeping accommodations and toilets for boys and girls.
- To ensure dorm leaders are assigned and sleep in their respective dorms. To also ensure teachers or leaders from the organisation attending the program are accompanying the children in their dorms.
- To ensure the facility has ramps, and wheelchair friendly toilets, for programs catering to children with physical disabilities. To create a space that does not obstruct movement, as much as possible.
- To provide filter water for drinking.
- To ensure there is proper sanitation available for the child’s well-being.
- To have easy access to a first aid box.
- To ensure that all camping equipment is checked and maintained regularly to ensure safety.
- To ensure certain activities follow safety checks in set up, execution and pack up.
- All staff and volunteers are trained in emergency response, and carry their individual ERP (Emergency Response Plan) handbook at all times during the camp program.
Communications and Privacy
Ongoing contact with participants
- Camp Canaan runs follow up programs with campers, and therefore an ongoing contact with
campers is necessary. - Ongoing contact is achieved through house visits, official outings (camps), phone calls and text messages for follow up reminders.
- To ensure that the family gives permission, and that the child welcomes such contact.
- To keep record of all ongoing contact with participants.
- Staff and volunteers are allowed to visit participant’s homes, when one or both parents are present. All visits are to be informed to the Camp Director. If any issue arises through an outing that has not been approved by the Camp Director, the staff or volunteer in question, is held directly responsible.
- Staff or volunteers are not allowed to be alone with a single participant away from the view of
other people. - Texts and phone calls are kept gender specific. Private messaging between opposite sex (between camper and leader) is not permitted.
- Camp Canaan has put into effect a guideline for online communication between the team and
the participants.
Privacy
- Camp Canaan has a privacy policy in place to provide information and protect all data that is collected, used and disclosed.
- All collected personal information regarding the child, including medical and dietary needs, is private and confidential.
- We will not provide or publicize any of the personal information of children deliberately; unless lawfully required.
- Display of any information on our online sites (names, images, locations) is prohibited.
- A release form for minors is available, for promotional purposes.
- Camp Canaan has put into place security measures to protect the information and data received from all participants, that are described in detail in the privacy policy.
- Camp Canaan does not sell, lease or barter personal information. When the information is no longer required, we use proper and reasonable methods of destroying the information.
Photography
- Photographs obtained during the program are prohibited.
- Only an authorised photographer is permitted to capture pictures and videos during a camp.
- Any photographs taken by an approved and authorised team member, for the benefit of Camp Canaan, must not be used inappropriately. Appropriate use will be within the context of the program itself or for promotional purposes, for which permission is obtained from the parent.
- Authorised photographers will be documented.
Safeguarding incidents and responses
- All participants are informed briefly about the child protection policy and shown which leaders to contact, if a complaint or report is to be made.
- To put into effect, when needed, a process for actual or potential child abuse. This includes: Physical abuse such as hitting, beating, shaking or burning. Sexual abuse and grooming such as a wide range of sexual activity and inappropriate touching. Neglect such as not meeting basic needs such as attention, food and medical care. Emotional / psychological abuse such as rejecting, ignoring, threatening or verbally abusing a child. Bullying, an inappropriate use of power by an individual or a group that causes physical or emotional harm.
- Incident and abuse reporting documentation is available to all volunteers and staff, at any given program.
- A response plan is highlighted in the ERP handbook, which every staff and volunteer possesses.
- When a report is made, the camp director is approached, the report is processed and a response is taken immediately, or as soon as possible, by the director.
- Camp Canaan is connected to local legal organisations, with an expertise in child safety, that assists us in handling abuse of any kind, when necessary.
Child safe participation
Physical contact
Children should be allowed to choose the degree of physical contact they have with others apart from exceptional circumstances or when needing medical attention.
- Touching a child between the neck and the knees should be avoided; contact with shoulders, elbow or head is generally acceptable.
- Open displays of affection, initiated by children in the presence of others, is acceptable.
- Any physical activity that is sexually stimulating to the adult or child is inappropriate and not allowed.
- Corporal punishment is not permitted at Camp Canaan, even in fun.
- The only form of physical restraint is to protect children from harm.
Guidelines for physical contact
- Be in response to the child’s need and not the adult’s.
- Be with the child’s permission – resistance from the child should be respected.
- Avoid areas normally covered by swimwear. Be open and not secretive.
- Be governed by the age and developmental stage of the child.
Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Team members are to be sensitive to cultures and family traditions different from their own.
- Team members are to not make statements, about other religions and cultures, that reflect ignorance, bias or ridicule.
- All children, no matter what caste, religion or gender, will be treated with respect and love.
- To support, encourage, provide equal opportunities to build up the girl child.
- Camp Canaan does not possess or support the caste system.
Program style
- It is essential that, in providing fun and enjoyment for children, we do not create situations which are deemed as negligent or irresponsible.
- Activities need to finish promptly at the advertised time. Care must be exercised in dismissing or handing over children. The child should not be handed over to anyone other than the person who delivered them to the program, unless specific written permission, with identification, is given.
- Responsibility for children must not be passed to adults who are not known to the team or the child
- To follow the camper-leader ratio, as mentioned within the personnel policy. The ratio of adults to children should be higher with younger children. Child Safe recommends a ratio of 1:3 for children under 2 years of age, and 1:5 for 2 and 3 year olds.
- To always ensure that there are Volunteers of both sexes available, and to include a counsellor on the team.
- To provide a range of experiences that encourage exploration, investigation, imagination and action.
Children with special needs
It is about seeing each child as having both the potential to learn, and the need to be loved and included,
like all other children.
- To have a positive behaviour and attitude toward the child and be inclusive.
- To educate the team on specific disabilities as well as constructive ways to include the child.
- To recruit extra help or expert help, if needed.
- Activities will be structured, yet flexible and will include many breaks.
Transport
- Camp Canaan is not responsible for any transportation issue that arises on privately arranged transport.
- Transport that is arranged by Camp Canaan, will ensure that the driver is licensed, and fit to perform tasks at hand.
- All parents need to consent to the transportation of their children.
- Parents need to consent if the child will either travel by themselves, be dropped off and picked up by the parent, or authorise an individual to do so. The authorised individual is required to carry ID proof and present it at the time of pick up.
- For all children, a signed consent is required from the adult, for the child’s mode of transport between home and the program.
