Camps Must Meet Standards To Get CPC Subsidy
The Coalition for the Protection of Children [CPC] provides subsidies for children whose families cannot afford to send them to summer camp, and have established a set of minimum standards that must be met by any camp that receives a subsidy from the CPC.
The CPC said, “Due to the generous support the Coalition for the Protection of Children [CPC] has received over the years from Oil Management, we have been in a position to send hundreds of children to summer camp.
“These are children who otherwise would not have the funds to attend camp, and probably be left to their own devices for the duration of the summer with little or no supervision. Last year alone more than 40 camps received sponsorship from the Coalition.
“At the CPC we continue to be concerned that there are still no regulations governing who can run a summer camp, what qualifications are required, what the ratios ought to be between the supervisors and the children, or for that matter, the safety of the location or the transportation arrangements.
“As a result, it is theoretically possible for someone very young with no experience or someone with a criminal record involving children to set up and operate a camp.
“The Coalition provides subsidies for children whose families cannot afford to send them to camp; accordingly, we have established a set of minimum standards that must be met by any camp that receives a subsidy from the CPC.
“Criteria that must be met in order to be registered is as follows:
- “Camp operators should be at least 21 years of age and have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children, be trained in CPR and have attended SCARS training
- “Camp operator and adult supervisors must have a clean criminal record
- “Support staff must be at least 16 years of age and are trained in First Aid/Child-minding [available with the Bermuda Red Cross]
- “A maximum ratio of 10 children per supervisor for 5-8 year olds and 12 children per supervisor for 9-14 year olds should be maintained at all times.
- “The location site should be free from any health or safety concerns and have sufficient shade to protect children from direct sun exposure. Indoor and outdoor space should be provided. Indoor space should be no smaller than 25 square feet per child.
- “Adequate sanitary accommodations should be available including 1 flushing toilet and 1 wash basin for every 15 children.
- “A fully stocked first aid box should be available at all times.
- “Adequate food refrigeration [or storage away from heat] must be available.
- “Sufficient drinking water should be available.
- “Activities must be age appropriate.
- “Swimming and other water activities should take place in designated areas at stated times. A ratio of 6 children per staff [for children over 5 years] should be maintained during swimming activities. Staff must be strong swimmers if they are supervising swimming activities.
- “Camp supervisors should have access to transportation at all times in case of emergency. If children are being transported, the number of children must not exceed the number of age-appropriate, safe seats in the vehicle.
“Additionally, this same list is useful for parents who are considering various summer camps over the next few months. We recommend that parents ensure that these standards are met.
“Registration forms can be obtained by calling the CPC at 2951150 or email at cpc@logic.bm.”
Bye bye neighbourhood camps.
They can still do them.
That is not what is being said, you can still have a camp but if these standards are not met, no gov assistance.
This is a parents dream – higher standards of care for our children – thank you for raising this and full credit to SCARS for their training of individuals who want to work well and safely with our children.
They all deserve every chance possible for a safe childhood.
And watch when some sub group out of the CPC begins offering a summer/holiday camp. So called funding will be recycled right back to the CPC!!!