Camp Illiana has zero tolerance for abuse. Every staff member and volunteer is responsible for acting in the best interest of campers in every program.

In the event any staff member or volunteer observes inappropriate behaviors (e.g., policy violations, neglectful supervision, poor role-modeling, etc.) or suspected abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual), it is the personal responsibility of each such staff member or volunteer to immediately report their observations to an immediate Dean, Camp Illiana Executive Director, or a member of the Camp Illiana Safety Committee.

Camp Illiana is committed to providing a safe, secure environment for children. To this end, any report of inappropriate behaviors or suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and reported, in accordance with this policy and state law, to the Camp Illiana Safety Committee, the Police Department, Child Protective Services, or other appropriate agencies.

Camp Illiana intends to create and foster a culture of communication and reporting safety concerns or policy violations. Because sexual abusers ‘groom’ children for abuse, it is possible a staff member or volunteer may witness behavior intended to ‘groom’ a child for sexual abuse. Staff members and volunteers are asked to report possible ‘grooming’ behaviors, policy violations, or suspicious behaviors to a Dean or a Camp Illiana Safety Committee member.

Physical Appearance

Your physical grooming makes a statement to campers, parents, other staff members, and volunteers. While serving at Camp Illiana, we ask that you limit your freedom concerning hairstyle, clothing, tattoos, and other outward physical accessories and fashions. If you have questions about your personal choices in these matters and whether an article of clothing or style is appropriate for wear at Camp Illiana, please consult the Camp Illiana Security Team Lead.

Modesty

Your choice of clothing makes a statement. While serving at Camp Illiana, we ask that our female staff members and volunteers help us create an atmosphere of modesty by wearing one-piece bathing suits and covering swimwear with t-shirts and shorts while not participating in water activities. We ask our male staff members to show similar respect to women by wearing t-shirts when not participating in water activities and to avoid Speedo-style swimsuits.

Tattoos and Piercings

All inappropriate tattoos must be covered at all times. Any exceptions to this rule must come from Camp Illiana’s Security Team Lead All male staff members must remove pierced jewelry, and female staff members may have no more than 2 piercings in each ear. Any exceptions to this rule must come from Camp Illiana’s Security Team Lead.

Dating

Public displays of affection between dating couples are not permitted under any circumstances. We expect professional behavior at all times.

Modeling Behavior

What we do in moderation, campers will do in excess. Campers will look to you to set the boundaries to draw the line for testing them. This is a dilemma that every staff member or volunteer will wrestle with. The way you dress, what you say, and how you respond to the smallest circumstance – our campers are watching. They will go a mile if you communicate that it is OK to move an inch. Please read and understand the guidelines below regarding appropriate “touch and talk” and follow them closely.

The following rules are to be followed at all times:

• No Verbal Abuse

• Never touch a child in an aggressive manner

• Absolutely No Profanity

• No Displays of Public Nudity at Any Time

• No Mooning, De-Pantsing, Wedgies or Swirlies

• No Descriptive Stories Regarding Drinking or Sexual Behaviors

• No Urinating Off Porches at Any Time By Anyone

• No Sleeping or Napping With Campers for Any Reason

• Never Compare a Camper’s Body With Another Person

• No Racial Put-Downs or Racial Jokes

• No Ear or Body Piercing or Tattooing of Any Camper

• No Tickling Campers

• No Wrestling

Appropriate Physical Touch

All staff members and volunteers should exercise good judgment when expressing one’s self through physical touch.

Appropriate physical touch may include the following:

• An arm around the shoulder (side hug)

• Short, congratulatory or greeting hugs

• A brief, assuring pat on the head or shoulder, but NOT to those kids who feel that such touch is offensive to have their heads patted or hair fluffed.

A few NEVERS:

• We don’t touch a camper in anger or disgust.

• We don’t touch a camper in any sexually connotative manner.

• No staff member will ever (day or night) be on or in a camper’s bed.

• Never touch a camper’s private parts (to remove ticks or for any other reason).

• Never tickle a camper; this can be misconstrued as sexual contact.

• Never ignore a camper’s request not to be touched.

• Never express or require physical affection or touching in any form from a camper who shows or expresses discomfort with physical touch.

If a question arises, consult the Camp Illiana Security Team Lead or Executive Director. Camp Illiana’s office number is (812) 254-3322.

Any infraction of the above policy involving even the slightest form of sexual connotation will result in immediate dismissal from the camp with no chance of rehiring or returning as a volunteer.

To equip Camp Illiana staff members and volunteers with the information necessary to recognize abuser characteristics and grooming behavior, Camp Illiana requires all staff members and volunteers to complete sexual abuse awareness training. This training will be renewed each summer season.

Bullying

Verbal, physical, or emotional bullying will not be tolerated. The majority of camper-on-camper verbal, physical, and emotional harassment occurs at night when the lights are out and you are in bed. To avoid this, we ask that you maintain a presence in the camper cabin area at all times until everyone is asleep.

It should be made clear from the first minute of every session that verbal, physical, or emotional harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. At the first sign of verbal or other attacks, act decisively. There is no “harmless putdown” when dealing with kids.

• The first instance should include a warning to the camper and a general reminder to the group that this kind of interaction is inappropriate. Be sure not to embarrass or chastise them.

• The second instance requires that you pull the offending camper(s) from the group and discuss the inappropriateness of bullying behavior. Set some clear parameters and behavioral goals for them to achieve. However, let them know that the next step is to visit Camp Illiana’s executive director. Notify the Camp Illiana Executive Director of ANY signs of bullying or verbal abuse.

Ensure that any camper who is the brunt of bullying attacks handles the situation well. Have a private dialogue with him or her to assess the situation. DO NOT SINGLE CAMPERS OUT IN FRONT OF THE GROUP! Be discreet and protect their dignity.

• The third instance results in a trip to the Camp Illiana Executive Director and a phone call to the parents.

Respecting Camper Privacy

Make sure campers understand the importance of respecting each other’s privacy. A camper’s bed is his/her home, and the camper’s cabin trunk/suitcase is off-limits to anyone but the camper. In addition, shower time is a very private time. Only those taking showers should be in the changing stall or shower stall during showers.

Discipline

Camp Illiana’s policy is that staff members and volunteers are prohibited from using physical discipline to manage campers’ behavior. No form of physical discipline is acceptable. This prohibition includes spanking, slapping, pinching, hitting, or any other physical force as retaliation or correction for inappropriate behaviors by campers. If a camper is unruly or fails to comply with verbal warnings or instructions from a staff member/volunteer, the Camp Illiana Executive Director will contact the camper’s parent. If the behavior persists, the camper’s parents will be contacted to pick up the camper. In the event of a fight or physical altercation, a staff member or volunteer will verbally redirect campers involved, trying to avoid physical intervention. Uncontrollable or unusual behavior should be reported immediately to the Camp Illiana Executive Director.

Verbal Interactions

Verbal interactions between staff members, volunteers, and campers should be positive and uplifting. Camp Illiana employees and volunteers should strive to keep verbal interactions encouraging and constructive.

To this end, staff members and volunteers should not talk to campers in a way that is or could be construed by any reasonable observer as harsh, threatening, intimidating, shaming, derogatory, demeaning, or humiliating. In addition, employees and volunteers are expected to refrain from swearing or using profanity in the presence of campers.

Staff Member/Volunteer to Camper Ratio

Camp Illiana is committed to providing adequate employer members and volunteer supervision in all camp activities and programs. Accordingly, the following ratios will be observed for camp activities and programs:

For groups up to and including 10 campers, there will be at least 1 staff member or volunteer supervising. For groups ranging from 11 to 29 campers, at least 2 staff members or volunteers will supervise. For groups larger than 30 campers, at least 3 staff members or volunteers will supervise. This ratio may change depending on the activity (i.e., swimming, elements, etc.).

If a worker is out of ratio, he or she must immediately notify the responsible Dean. The Dean or the Camp Illiana Experiences Director will make diligent efforts to immediately bring staff member/volunteer-to-camper ratios into compliance with this policy.

Off-limit Areas

All Camp Illiana staff members and volunteers are responsible for ensuring that their campers do not enter areas deemed off-limits.

Monitoring High-Risk Areas

This section aims to raise awareness of high-risk areas at camp and methods to lower that risk effectively. Any area on camp property where campers are not directly supervised is high-risk. In these areas, campers can more easily bully and abuse (verbally, physically, and even sexually) each other. All staff members and volunteers must be aware of the potential for bullying and abuse and monitor camp locations where campers can be alone.

For activities involving large numbers of campers, staff members and volunteers will be assigned to monitor high-risk areas for the duration of the activity. Monitoring of high-risk areas will be built into the programming and planning for these events.

High-risk areas include:

• All bathrooms on the camp property

• Night activities

• Water activities

• Changing areas (during day and night)

Unobserved One-On-One Interaction with Campers

No camper will be left unattended or unsupervised during camp ministry programming or activities. Camp Illiana staff members and volunteers are prohibited from being alone with an individual camper in any room or building. If a staff member or volunteer finds himself/herself alone with a single camper, that staff member or volunteer will take the camper to a room or building occupied by others or to a location easily observed by others.

Example: If a camper desires conversation or counsel with a staff member or volunteer after regular programming has concluded, the staff member or volunteer to relocate the discussion to a place where other staff members are present or which is easily observed.

After every programming event, staff members and volunteers must check every room and restroom before leaving to ensure no camper is left unsupervised.

Any two campers together in an unseen or less easily viewed area should be redirected to another (more open) area.

Appropriate One-To-One interactions with Campers

Camp Illiana recognizes that meeting the emotional needs of campers may occasionally require staff members and volunteers to meet with them individually. Staff members and volunteers should follow the following guidelines when interacting with campers.

Staff members and volunteers should conduct one-to-one meetings with an individual camper at a time when others are present and where interactions can be easily observed unless prior approval is obtained from the Camp Illiana Executive Director.

If a closed-door meeting must occur, the staff member must inform another staff member and ensure the door remains unlocked.

Staff members and volunteers should conduct one-to-one meetings with an individual camper at a time when others are present and where interactions can be easily observed.

Physical Contact

Camp Illiana is committed to protecting campers. To this end, Camp Illiana has implemented a ‘physical contact policy’ which promotes a positive, nurturing environment for our camp programs. The following guidelines are to be carefully followed by anyone working or volunteering at Camp Illiana:

Hugging pats on the back and other forms of appropriate physical affection between staff members or volunteers and campers are important for campers’ development. They are generally suitable in the camp setting.

Inappropriate touching and inappropriate displays of affection are forbidden. Any inappropriate physical contact, touching, or displays of affection should be immediately reported to an immediate Dean, Camp Illiana Executive Director, or a Camp Illiana Safety Committee member.

Physical contact should be for the benefit of the camper, never based upon the emotional needs of a staff member or volunteer.

Physical contact and affection should be given only in observable places or in the presence of other campers, staff members, or volunteers. It is much less likely that touch will be inappropriate or interpreted as such when physical contact is open to observation.

Staff members and volunteers protect campers under their supervision from inappropriate or unwanted touching by other adults and campers.

Any inappropriate behavior or suspected abuse by any staff member, volunteer, or camper must be reported immediately to an immediate Dean, the Camp Illiana Administrator, a member of the Camp Illiana Executive Director, or a member of the Camp Illiana Safety Committee.

Transportation

Staff members and volunteers may occasionally be in a position to provide transportation for campers. The following guidelines should be strictly observed when workers are involved in the transportation of campers:

Campers should be transported directly to their destination. Unauthorized stops in a non-public place should be avoided. Staff members and volunteers should avoid transportation circumstances that leave only one camper in transport. The presence of at least two staff members or volunteers is encouraged.

Staff members and volunteers should avoid physical contact with campers while in vehicles.

Cellphone use while driving Camp Illiana vehicles (owned or rented) is prohibited unless in an emergency. In other non-emergency circumstances, staff members and volunteers must stop the vehicle before using a cell phone.

Absolutely NO TEXTING is allowed by the driver of a moving Camp Illiana vehicle.

No drivers under age 21 may regularly drive Camp Illiana-owned or rented vehicles.

Sleeping Arrangements

Staff members and volunteers will strictly observe the following rules:

At least one staff member or volunteer must always be in the sleeping area with campers. Notwithstanding the appearance that all campers are sleeping, the staff member or volunteer will not leave the cabin or sleeping area.

Appropriately modest sleeping attire must be worn to bed.

Staff members and volunteers should never physically touch a camper during bed checks.

Campers will not share a bed, bunk, or sleeping bag with another camper or staff member/volunteer. Each staff member, volunteer, and camper will use single sleeping bags or blankets. In these instances, a “one-person-to-one bag or blanket” rule will be observed.

Sexually Oriented Conversations

Staff members and volunteers are prohibited from engaging in any sexually oriented conversations with campers. They are not permitted to discuss inappropriate or explicit information about their personal relationships, dating, or sexual activities with any camper in the program. If it is necessary to address issues related to purity, dating, sex, and human sexuality, clear such discussions with the Camp Illiana Security Team Lead.

Sexually Oriented Materials

Staff members and volunteers at Camp Illiana are prohibited from possessing any sexually oriented materials or images (magazines, cards, phone pics, videos, etc.) at Camp Illiana or in the presence of campers.

Nudity

Staff members and volunteers at Camp Illiana should never be nude in the presence of campers in their care. In the event any situation calls for or contemplates the possibility of nudity (i.e., changing clothes before or after water activity, overnight activity, etc.), the staff member or volunteer will submit a plan to the Program Dean concerning arrangements for showering or changing clothes that is consistent with this policy statement.

Tobacco/Vape

Camp Illiana requires staff members and volunteers to abstain from using or possessing tobacco and vaping products while on Camp Illiana’s property and in the presence of campers or their family members. Camp Illiana is a tobacco and vape-free facility.

Intoxicants

Staff members and volunteers are prohibited from using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug in any Camp Illiana facility while traveling with campers or working with or supervising campers.

Camp Curfew

For security and rest purposes, the Camp Illiana curfew is MIDNIGHT. At Camp Illiana, we take camp security very seriously. All staff members and volunteers are expected to cooperate in the security process. At least one staff member or volunteer must remain in each cabin after “lights out” in order to maintain the highest level of security. When off duty, staff members and volunteers should feel free to stay past “lights out”. However, the camp will shut down at MIDNIGHT, and staff will be the only authorized persons outside their lodge. Repeated disregard of curfew will be considered a safety risk and may result in termination.

Visitors During Camp Session

Friends and family are a great source of encouragement. However, giving them the time they need when discharging their responsibilities as camp staff members or volunteers can be difficult. Campers may also have visitors from time to time. During camp sessions, all visitors must check in at the Camp Office. A photo ID must be scanned into the Ministry Defender Safe Visitor kiosk for each adult visitor, where an instant sex offender registry will be checked as part of the check-in process. A printed photo visitor badge will be issued and must be worn at all times.

Communications with Campers Outside of Camp Illiana

The Camp Illiana safety standards established to protect campers and ensure healthy relationships during camp should also be respected outside of camp. In addition to camp safety standards, the following policies should be respected in all interactions with campers outside camp.

• Parents of all campers must approve any and all interactions with students, including but not limited to: email, social network interactions, phone calls, personal visits. No interaction should ever take place without the knowledge and approval of the camper's parents or guardian.

• If a camper requests to be a “friend” on Facebook or similar social networking sites, permission from parents should be granted before accepting these offers.

• Current or former staff members should never be alone with a camper in an unobserved context or location. This policy becomes even more important outside of camp.

• Current or former staff members should limit connections by gender. Current or former male staff members should not initiate or maintain contact with female campers, and current or former female staff members should not initiate or maintain contact with male campers. Dating relationships of any kind between staff members or volunteers and a camper are strictly prohibited.

• If a family invites a current or former staff member to visit, these visits should never involve spending the night at the camper’s home.

• Current or former staff members should never have campers spend the night at their homes for any reason.

• Just like in camp, if a camper shares information that puts them or anyone else in danger, that child’s parents should be notified immediately. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and contact the Camp Illiana Executive Director for counsel.