Dogwood Trails Camp and Retreat Center
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Requirements
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"We have a responsibility
not only to the children,
but to the parents and
churches we serve to
provide a safe and secure
environment to learn
about God's eternal love."
____________________
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Why Is It Important?
The Texas Department of State Health Services, which is the licensing agent for public camps, is now requiring new criteria for camp workers. This new law requires any adult who has contact with children at camp to be screened for criminal and sex offender records. In addition, the adults are also required to take a one hour training course and pass a test regarding child protection and reducing the risk of child abuse and molestation. This new law applies to all state licensed youth camps, and is meant for the safety and protection of the children.
Statistics show that many child molesters are known and trusted by their victims. Many molesters seek out situations and atmospheres where they are trusted and accepted by those around them, such as the local church. They could even disguise themselves as the ideal children or youth worker in churches or other similar organizations. We do not want to give the impression that the camp is automatically suspecting or accusing any of our staff or sponsors at camp of this type of behavior. Our camp has been fortunate to have no such incident reported to date. However, we must be aware of how molesters work and do everything within our power to protect the children that God has entrusted to us.
The best way to deter abuse from happening at our camps is to develop an environment that puts the offender, rather than the child, at risk. An adequate screening process, proper supervision and accountability will discourage this type of offender.
The one hour training course that will be given informs all the adults of the effects of child abuse, the methods of operation of child molesters, the signs and symptoms of abuse to watch for and the proper method of reporting abuse. The course also focuses on ways for adults to guard against any situation that could put themselves at risk for accusation.
Dogwood Trails Camp & Retreat Center will gladly comply with these state regulations in order to serve the children of our area. We have a responsibility not only to the children, but to the parents and churches we serve to provide a safe and secure environment to learn about God's eternal love.
Requirements
According to Texas State Law, all adult counselors/sponsors that have any direct contact with underage individuals at a Camp must have...
1. A criminal background check performed prior to contact with underage campers.
2. A sex offender background check performed prior to contact with underage campers.
3. Attend and participate in a one hour child abuse and sexual abuse prevention and recognition class and pass a written exam prior to contact with underage campers.
Child Protection Class Training Manual
4. Proof of criminal and sex offender background checks, along with proof of satisfactory completion of prevention/recognition class, must be provided in the camp office for duration of event.
Child abuse or Sexual abuse, real or alleged, must be reported to proper authorities.
We Are Here To Help
This is how you can accomplish these requirements.
1. A criminal background check may be performed online at https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/ for a nominal charge. It is the sponsoring churches responsibility to perform these checks and submit them at camp registration.
2. A sex offender background check may be performed online at https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/ for no charge. It is the sponsoring churches responsibility to perform these checks and submit them at camp registration.
3. It is the sponsoring churches responsibility to perform the one hour child abuse and sexual abuse prevention/recognition class, and administer the written exam, and to submit them at camp registration. A DVD version of this class is now available for church use. Please call us at 903-586-5156 for further questions or for more information about receiving the Child Protection DVD.
4. Criminal and sex offender background checks, along with proof of completion of child abuse and sexual abuse prevention/recognition class, must be submitted at camp registration.
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