Always Worth Checking


Background checks are only one of the steps camps can take to ensure the safety of their campers


By Melodie Bissell I


was grocery shopping one day last year when I received a phone call. “Melodie, we are loading the bus, and the kids and


I are so excited to go to camp!” The timing of the phone call seemed


odd since the camp director was ushering campers and staff onto the bus to head to our inner-city camp. Brenda’s voice also did not seem to mirror the excitement she was speaking of. “What’s up Brenda? Why the phone call now?” I asked. “Well, Melodie,” she said, “I have


been preparing for camp for months now. Everything was in place, or at least I thought it was. However, two of my sen- ior counsellors and the camp cook forgot


16 Canada Camps Spring 2010


to submit their criminal record checks. We can’t do camp without these workers. Can we make an exception, just this time?” Brenda was speaking fast, and I could tell that she was trying to influence my reac- tion. Somehow this phone call seemed


remarkably familiar. “Brenda,” I re- sponded, “didn’t we have this same phone call last year? This was one of the areas highlighted on your performance evalua- tion where I challenged you to comply to policies.” With so much to juggle when getting


ready for camp, it is easy to understand that employee screening is one of those


balls that could easily get dropped by camp directors, owners and senior admin- istrators. In many circumstances, proper screening requires a dedicated staff person or perhaps outside help to manage the process. Within the last few months there has


been no shortage of reminders of the need for adequate screening protocols when it comes to protection. On April 6, 2010 there was an article in The Toronto Star, with the following headline: Police checks leave agencies scrambling: Students work- ing or volunteering with kids this summer should apply for police clearance early. Recent changes with the RCMP and


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