Summer Safety Tips for Parents

People often ask me about my experiences as a sex offender specialist.  Many times they seem fascinated and often times others seem a little confused.  Why I would choose such a career path, they ask.  Does it make a difference for a sex offender to receive counseling after they have already offended?  Well, there is a very long-winded answer to this question but it relates to the topic of child safety tips for parents now that summer is here. 

Though my own children are very small I would still like to consider summer activities for my soon-to-be 4 year-old that will be mutually rewarding: my child gets to have fun in a safe environment and mommy has reliable childcare.  Where my child will be and who will be around them are my number 1 concerns.  As I look for summer activities for my own little one I can't help but feel overwhelmed by hundreds of summer camps, programs, and sitters out there advertising for my business.  I don't know about you but in the area I live in, I can name 10 summer camps or programs off the top of my head.  There are 5 major summer day camps in my area that,to me, rival Disney World in size, offerings, and features.  Besides the big ticket summer camps there are local county parks programs or township recreation programs or local business programs and don't forget sleep-away and travel camps for the older kids.  It seems like a camp or program exists for every possible interest.  The options are endless!  So, where does one start to narrow it down? 

The only sure-thing we know is that we are running out of time to make a decision as this school year is swiftly coming to a close.  As many working parents are preparing and planning for the lapse of adult supervision that is summer vacation, their needs will most likely fall around finding full-day coverage for their kids.  While it may seem that there are so many options to choose from, choosing carefully will be the tricky part.  Regardless of the theme for summer camp 2012, consider making your child's personal safety the number one decision-making factor.  Here are some tips to secure your chosen camp or childcare providor is a perfect match when it comes to your child's personal safety:

• Do not make any decisions over the phone or on the Internet.  This may seem to some as common sense but consider this...we often make decisions based on what our friends and family do.  The urge to act off assumption (ie., thinking, 'My friend/family would not send their child to a place that isn't clean and safe.') but you must do your own homework.  Referrals, reputation, and reviews are great but when it comes to making a decision on where your child will be spending their time while away from you this summer narrow down your choices and make an appointment to check a few places out.  Some important things to note with regards to your child's personal safety are ensuring all employees of the camp or institution where your child will be spending their summer have been cleared by a criminal background check, the accomodations/rest rooms/isolated areas are up to your standards, you feel comfortable with the type of person your child's camp counselor or sitter is, and trust your instincts.

• Ask about company policy with regards to background checks.  Check to see that all employees are first cleared for working with children by a full criminal background check and ask if any employees have ever been convicted of a violent offense and/or an offense involving a child.  You have every right to know the answer to this question so you can make the best decision on where to send your child.  If the summer program is a private business or day care provider, do your own full background check on all persons working or living within the facility or private home with their permission.  The way in which a facility handles the issue of background checks will yield more answer as to how seriously they take the issue of child safety.  A facility that is less than happy to share this information with you or is wishy-washy with their answer is a facility I would stay away from as they might not take the child safety precautions that you would.

• Tour the facility and pay close attention to the accommodations.  Schedule a day and time where you can be guided on a full tour and pay particular attention to the areas where your child will likely be changing his/her clothes.  Note areas that are isolated and may be difficult to get to or see from the general grounds.  Ask a lot of questions about these areas: who has access to them, what are they used for, have children ever wandered off alone to them.  It may seem overly protective and maybe even a bit cynical but in all honesty safety and privacy are as important to children as they are to adults.  I would look for bunks/dorms, changing areas, and restrooms that provide full privacy and are sturdy (ie. well-built and free from holes to the outside or another room).  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard stories (from offenders themselves) of what is called "non-contact sexual offenses" of children who were bathing, changing their clothes, or using a restroom.  People who achieve sexual arousal by opportunistic, non-contact situations are impulsive and often fly under the radar.  The result is a victim who feels helpless and unsure (possibly even scared) of what they experienced and often do not tell.  Opportunistic offenders use real-life scenarios such as bathing a child, changing a child, or helping a child use the restroom to sexually abuse.  To maximize your child's safety take note of this and these areas and make a note to discuss the issue of personal safety while away from the group, changing clothes, and using the restroom while they are at camp.

• Ask questions about the person or camp counselor directly responsible for your child during their stay.  If you have a daughter, be sure a female is in charge.  If you have a son, be sure there is a male in charge.  This is usually the case but it is, again, it is foolish to make assumptions.  It may seem obvious but your child will feel more comfortable with her or his counselor if they are of the same gender.  While on the tour ask about this counselor that is expected to be in charge of your child.  Ask what their age is, where they have worked in the past, what their personality is like, how long they have been employed by the camp or business, and how she/her is regarded by other employees or even past campers and parents.  The answers to these questions will provide you with a profile of who this counselor is and how they might react to your child's personality and behavior.  From there you can decide how you will discuss with your child potential situations that may occur and how the counselor might handle it.  For instance, if you are told your 10 year-old daughter's counselor is an 18 year-old freshman in college who plays club soccer and has worked at the day camp for 3 years after being a regular camper there herself, you might tell your child that her counselor sounds like a disciplined, active young lady who has a long-standing reputation at the camp.  This knowledge will give your child comfort and preparedness.   Your child might feel the counselor should have a good handle on the expectations, rules, and obstacles to day camp. 

• Trust your instincts and go with your gut.  If you've done your homework, talked to your child about the changing and bathroom accommodations, checked up on your child's counselor, ensured all employees must first pass a rigorous hiring process, and you still are uneasy...cross this option off your list and start fresh with the next one.  As parents we often second guess our own intuition and, at times, regret this decision down the pike.  Make a deal with yourself that you will only enroll your child in a summer camp or program or day care center that you feel 100% confident in and comfortable with. 

I hope this information was helpful to all.   Happy Summer 2012 to all!  PLEASE remember to leave comments about my blog, what you'd like to see, and if the posts have been helpful to you. 

I will be blogging next on how to talk to your child at any age about personal safety (just in time for summer) and how they have the power to protect themselves.