VOLUNTEER SPECIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT FORM

VOLUNTEER SPECIAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT FORM

Do you have any other special skills or abilities we should know about? _________________________________________________________________

In an attempt to provide clear, concise information to our volunteer groups in a timely fashion, regarding the expectations, duties and responsibilities while serving at Camp Pathway, please review the following.

Volunteer team orientation and training takes place at the gym on the Sunday night prior to the week of volunteer service. We ask you be at the gym promptly at 5pm, and make your way to the Movie Theater. Training is mandatory for all teams.

You will be given your T-Shirts, and the week’s schedule. We will talk about the Do’s and Don’ts at camp, emergency procedures, weekly routine, etc. A tour of the facility and grounds will also take place.

Camper groups are separated by age and gender, then placed in groups of 8(campers) to 1 (counselor). These age/gender groups are then partnered with another same age/gender group making the size of each “troop” reflect 2 counselors to max of 16 campers. Team support counselors will unite with a specific “troop” and travel with them following each day’s schedule every day of the week to assist and support in every activity, help maintain control, keep the troop on schedule, and monitor behaviors. This position offers an opportunity for volunteers to really connect with the kids, get to know them on a more personal level, pray with them, share devotions with them and even lead them to Christ.

We like to have at least four ‘early bird’ morning greeters each day. When children arrive early in the morning they are often still waking up. This ‘quiet time’ when the campers trickle in is a fantastic time of opportunity to connect, form a relationship and impact a life. Greeters are asked to be in the lobby and welcome each camper with a warm smile and a ‘we’re so glad you’re here, it’s going to be a great day’ greeting. Campers are then escorted to the cubby/coat room, younger campers especially need assistance in finding the ‘right’ cubby to place their lunch, back pack, swim suit, towel etc. If team participation and size allows it would also be awesome to have some of you in the gym playing with the kids as they wait for the day to start.

These kids really look up to our volunteers and having one on one time with you will be a powerful thing. Use this time, make it count, invest in a relationship, build them up, encourage them, share a smile and offer a listening ear.
Locker Room Monitors: 2 volunteers needed, (one male and one female)

Responsible to cruise the locker rooms throughout the day, especially after swim times. Again making sure all the towels and suits are picked up and in the arms of the right child before leaving the swimming pool area.

Allow me to share just one story from a previous summer. After some of the kids were left alone in the bathroom for a few minutes, one of our staff discovered that a camper thought it would be a fun idea to empty the liquid soap containers onto the counters and floor to have a “skating party”. This idea, thought by many of the other campers to be a “great one” was just one of many bathroom incidents, that is why we need your help in monitoring these areas.
Infirmary/First Aid Assistant:

The infirmary, AKA: the Camp Director’s front office, is a busy place. With an average of 150 to 180 campers a day the infirmary is always busy. Responsibilities include: assist campers suffering with everything from cuts and bumps, bee stings and tick removal, upset stomachs and homesickness, sprained ankles and broken arms. It is preferred that this person be familiar with basic first-aid techniques and does not faint at the site of blood. Certified CPR and First Aid- is NOT required, but preferred.

The Craft Assistant helps prepare for activities, organizes supplies, helps maintain equipment and is available as a resource to help assist campers complete craft projects in a timely manner.

Responsibilities include: provide watchful over site and supervision of all camper’s during the staff huddle on Wednesday. This means that on Wednesday you will need to come to camp with a lunch packed for yourself, eat lunch with the campers and stay until the end of the day.

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   Activities provided include:
   

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  Swimming
  
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  Canoeing/kayaking
  
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  Archery
  
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  Inflatables
  
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  Arts & Crafts
  
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  Music
  
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  Devotional times
  
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  Bible lessons
  
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  Movie Theater time
  
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  Outdoor sports
  
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  Indoor sports
  
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  Nature trails
  
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  Other games and activities
  

Our staff consists of:

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  Recreation Director-Kyle Muir
  
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  Camp Director-Karl Gant
  
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  Campus Life-Daniel Guinn
  
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  Camp Assistant-
  
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  Arts & Crafts Person-
  
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  Counselors – Christian college-age young people
  

2. Review of Your Work Team

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   Safety and Emergency Issues
   

Because it our responsibility to keep all the children attending camp safe from any harm, it is imperative that we go over some of the safety concerns with our work teams. Below are listed some of the areas in which we must work to keep the campers safe:

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  Washing hands before each meal and after using the restroom
  
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  Ensuring campers are hydrated during the day
  
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  Ensure campers have adequate sunscreen
  
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  Wear closed-toe shoes at all times and that campers do, too
  
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  Anticipate any unsafe situation and act to intercept it
  
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  Be aware of the campers even during idle times
  
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  Campers are brought to the Camp Office for scrapes and bruises. Report forms are completed to document even minor medical care given to campers. Be alert to any scrape, rash, bruise, or injury and report it to the senior counselor.
  
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  Protect yourself from coming into contact with the bodily fluid of another person. The Camp Office provides latex gloves for staff and volunteer protection.
  

Each senior counselor has been trained and knows what to do in the case of emergency. Please follow the instruction of the senior counselor in the group you may be assigned to.

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  No running indoors
  
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  No yelling indoors
  
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  No profanity anywhere
  
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  Shoes must be worn at all times, unless instructed otherwise
  

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  No footballs or kicking balls unless it’s under the direction and supervision of a counselor
  
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  No climbing on the closed bleachers
  
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  No going under the open bleachers
  

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  The Swim Test – swim across the short side of the pool – there and back without holding onto the wall and touching the bottom of the pool. Must be lifeguard approved.
  
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  Focus on safety
  
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  Gather the participating group into a circle and give detailed instructions
  
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  Remember to explain the rules along with setting parameters and explain them
  
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  No diving
  
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  Only campers who have passed the swim test can go in the middle section of the pool
  
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  No wet clothes or bodies in back hallway
  
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  Campers must change clothes inside the pool locker rooms
  
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  Campers must wear proper swimming attire, no jeans
  
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  No footballs or hard balls in the pool area
  

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  Everyone who is on the water must wear a life jacket and be checked by a counselor or lifeguard before entering the water.
  
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  Boys must leave their shirts on at all times.
  
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  No bumper boats
  
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  Don’t push others or cause others to flip and fall into the water
  
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  No swimming
  

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  Only those who are shooting arrows can stand; everyone else must be seated on the benches or tables
  
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  Bows are not allowed to be pointed in any direction except towards the target
  
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  Everyone shooting must stay at their post until everyone is done shooting before they can retrieve their arrows.
  
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  If you shoot an arrow, you must retrieve it.
  

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  No climbing on obstacles in the ropes course without permission.
  

3. 
   Behavior Management and Child Abuse
   

Each counselor has received training the week prior to the opening of camp. They have been informed of the necessity of managing behavior among the campers by various means that are improve behavior in the most positive way. Follow the lead of the counselor in assisting to improve camper behavior.

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  On the hand, shoulder, or upper back;
  
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  Never against a child’s will (unless in the case of clear and present danger of the child);
  
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  Never against a child’s discomfort, whether expressed verbally or nonverbally;
  
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  In the company of other adults;
  
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  Never when it would have the effect of over-stimulating the child;
  
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  Never in a place on a child’s body that is normally covered by a bathing suit, unless for a clear medical necessity, and then only with supervision from another adult.
  

We cannot be too careful in the area of sexual abuse. Even the appearance of wrong or a false allegation can cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the accused staff member or volunteer and the camp. Therefore, all staff members and volunteers must be very cautious in order to avoid doing anything that could be interpreted as sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, any contact or interaction between a child and an adult when the child is being used for the sexual stimulation of the adult or of a third person. The behavior may or may not involve touching. Sexual behavior between a child and an adult is always considered forced, whether or not the child has consented.

Guidelines for Staff and Volunteers

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  There will be double coverage of campers by counselors during changing times
  
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  Younger children should be encouraged to change their own clothes as much as possible
  
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  Counselors will set limits with children who ‘cling’ or hang on them
  
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  Counselors will not give back rubs unless another adult is present, and then only with clothes on
  

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  Tickling or teasing a camper to the point where that camper is out of control is unacceptable
  
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  Wrestling matches and the like can become over-stimulating in short order and need to be limited and carefully supervised
  
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  Romantic lives of counselors or volunteers cannot, under any circumstances, be shared with campers
  
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  Male staff working with adolescent females need to be aware of the tendency for this group to develop hidden or secret romantic fantasies
  
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  Whatever is done with campers should be done in broad daylight, with company
  

**If your team elects to participate in Open gym/swim times with our residents, please be conscious of how residents may participate with you. Often they will not talk or show any interest in the volunteers coming. Some of the boys can get very competitive. I ask you to please accept this behavior and not condemn in. However, I know from being here, many of the residents enjoy having bigger groups come down. I don’t tell you this to scare you away but rather just prepare you for this time.