Camp isn’t just a place that offers a treasure trove of activities, though it normally does. It’s a place where kids make close friends, experience new and exciting adventures, and form lifelong memories. ASAP’s camp safety training program helps camps make this a reality by ensuring they provide safe environments, free of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. And, what’s more, it can provide this support to any type of camp.
ASAP’s camp safety program is used by hundreds of camps across North America. It helps camps train their staff to prevent sexual abuse, misconduct, and inappropriate behaviour, and, through multiple tools, it outlines clear standards of conduct and proper boundaries for behaviour.
A staple of ASAP’s camp safety program is its videos. Its four two-minute videos are simple, clear, and to the point, and they equip staff with the knowledge to prevent sexual misconduct and deal with inappropriate behaviour if it occurs. The safety program also includes other useful resources such as checklists, a harassment policy, and quizzes.
By the time they arrive at camp, many staff members will have gone through the whole ASAP camp safety training program. This involves taking quizzes at the end of each section. And after staff pass the quizzes and complete the training program, they receive a certificate. This demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of policy and best practices when it comes to preventing and dealing with sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour (for instance, if they are faced with an allegation or witness an incident).
ASAP is a great fit, for instance, for large camps with many staff and campers. Conveniently, its safety program can train hundreds of staff members at the same time, and it can do this time-efficiently through an online system that’s easy to use and requires minimal oversight.
“Logistically, it can be very difficult having so many staff,” says Laura Anderson, director of staff onboarding and communications at KE Camps (which runs over 250 camps in 38 states in the U.S.). “What’s great about ASAP is we just send staff the link to the training program and they do it. And we can track everything and see when staff members pass the tests and earn their training certificates.”
This is a big time-saver for KE camps. And it removes a lot of potential headaches. “It gives us peace of mind knowing that staff are getting the most up-to-date training,” says Anderson. “Just knowing that you have that level of customer support. They always make sure everything is up and ready. And they make improvements to the system every year.”
To give another example, ASAP also provides robust support to special needs organizations like Yachad (based in New York City). Yachad supports kids with developmental disabilities (DDs), such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Its staff helps these kids integrate into summer programs by providing much-needed support.
Yachad needs to ensure kids with DDs can thrive in a safe environment. This can be challenging at times. “Some kids with developmental disabilities may not be able to express themselves as clearly and effectively as others, for instance, when they’re uncomfortable,” says Joe Goldfarb, director of Yachad Summer Programs. “We have to be extra clear about boundaries with these kids. We need to really help them, support them, and advocate for them.”
ASAP’s camp safety training program is invaluable in helping Yachad navigate this terrain. “Our staff find the program extremely helpful,” says Goldfarb. “There’s a ton of information contained in the videos: they’re chock full of information. And the disability supplement is a big bonus for us.”
ASAP’s safety program is an essential resource for camps. It helps camps provide a safe environment—free of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour—in which kids can have fun, make friends, and learn about themselves and others. And what’s great is that it's one-size-fits-all: it’s flexible enough that it can meet the needs of any type of camp, regardless of its shape, size, or form.
So, in short, ASAP’s safety program is a critical resource that your camp can’t do without.
Register for ASAP’s camp safety program here
Learn more about ASAP here
To speak with camps that are currently working with ASAP, here are two people you can reach out to:
Joe Goldfarb, director of Yachad Summer Programs: [email protected]
Laura Anderson, director of staff onboarding and communications at KE Camps: [email protected]
