Environmental Health

Youth Camp Personnel

CAMP PERSONNEL

The health and safety of camp community is the direct responsibility of the camp staff. Camp operators are required to employ qualified staff that are fit to take responsibility for the care of campers. Specific set of requirements includes staff background checks prior to initial employment and annually thereafter, staff training requirements as well as written personnel procedures and yearly pre-season orientation.

 

CAMP DIRECTOR

Each youth camp shall employ a camp director that is at least 21 years of age and has one of the following qualifications: 

  1. At least two seasons of administrative experience in an organized certified camp.

  2. Nine months verified experience in a youth program.

  3. One season of administrative experience in an organized certified camp and at least one year teaching experience with a teacher certification.

 

HIGH-RISK ACTIVITY SPECIALIST

High-risk activities (horse back riding, rock wall climbing, archery, swimming) shall be conducted by an activity specialist . An “Activity specialist" means a person who has specialized training and/or experience in a high-risk activity.

 

STAFF BACKGROUND CHECKS

The Camp Director is required to conduct a criminal history record information check for each adult (18 years and older) staff member and/or volunteer.  Returning staff, those who worked for the camp during the immediately preceding summer, are not required to have a subsequent background check conducted for the current season but must provide a notarized statement attesting that their background history has not changed. All documentation should remain onsite for a period of 3 years.

The background check should also include a review of prior employment history and 3 character reference check for each new staff member.

All Camp Directors should and recipients of Child Care Subsidy providers must consider the following Federal Child Care Development Act [48 CFR 98.43(c)(1)(iv)]  disqualifying crimes when making determinations of suitable staff/visitors:

Felony Offenses  

  • Murder
  • Child Abuse or neglect
  • Crime Against Children including pornography
  • Spousal abuse
  • Crime involving rape or sexual assault
  • Kidnapping
  • Arson
  • Physical assault or battery

Violent Misdemeanor Offenses Committed as an Adult

  • Child abuse
  • Child endangerment
  • Sexual assault
  • Misdemeanor involving child pornography

Name-based Criminal History Record Information check must be requested through New Jersey State Police or equivalent.

 

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY CHECKS (ANNUAL REQUIREMENT)

The Camp Director is required to conduct a Sex Offender Registry check (Family Watchdog or equivalent)  annually for each staff and/or volunteer 16 years and older.


 

Last Reviewed: 6/1/2021