Important Information for YMCA of Greater Boston Camp Families and Community Partners:
The safety and care of the children who participate at the YMCA of Greater Boston is our number one priority. We are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment for children. It is in this spirit we want to inform you what we do, what our programs do, and what you can do you keep your child safe in any situation.
The YMCA of Greater Boston recognizes that awareness of potential abuse and reinforcing proven abuse prevention strategies is an essential element in protecting children. Over the last 25 years, we have learned a great deal about how predators target children and how to recognize them. We use this knowledge to hire, train and supervise all our staff and volunteers in order to prevent predators from gaining access to our programs and the children we serve. To help keep the children in our care safe, the YMCA of Greater Boston takes a number of steps including:
Stringent Hiring Practices
• All potential employees are required to complete a Criminal and Sexual Offender Record Information (C/SORI) check. If the prospective employee has worked out of state or in another country, we utilize a third party vendor to conduct a (inter)national background check.
• Every hiring manager is required to complete three professional reference checks. We do not accept letters of reference.
• The YMCA’s hiring practices are consistent at all of our YMCAs and resident camps.
• Employees must read and agree to the YMCA of Greater Boston Code of Conduct, Child Abuse Prevention and Personnel policies prior to the start of employment.
Comprehensive Staff Training
• All new hires are required to take a nationally recognized child abuse prevention course. All existing or returning staff are required to complete an annual refresher.
• All camp staff complete 50 hours of training for resident camp staff and 24 hours of training for day camp staff.
• We are proud to have an average staff return rate of 85% for resident camp and 75% for day camp.
Supervision Standards
• Employees are prohibited from being alone with any child. At anytime, anywhere.
• Employees are prohibited from babysitting or otherwise being employed by YMCA program families without written consent and approval from YMCA management and the family.
• Staff is prohibited from using cell phones, digital cameras or other recording devices except during pre-planned YMCA events.
• As a mandated reporter, the YMCA will report any and all complaints of suspected abuse.
• YMCA volunteers are subject to all of the same policies and procedures as YMCA staff.
• YMCA of Greater Boston utilizes an anonymous confidential reporting system available on-line
Our Camp Programs
• Teach the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Build a culture of safety for children to try new activities, speak up about issues and concerns, choose their activities, etc.
• Give children a voice of their own.
• Empower children to be open and vocal about their experiences. to all employees and anyone else wishing to fi le a report. Go to www.ethicspoint.com and click on the top right orange button that says “File A Report.” In the “File A New Report” box, enter “YMCA of Greater Boston.”
What Can You Do?
Be aware of behaviors that we consider red fl ags. An employee or volunteer:
• Spends time with children alone or away from the Y.
• Is spending time with a child in a non-YMCA activity.
• Allows rules to be broken and makes exceptions for certain kids.
• Shares too much personal information with kids.
• Keeps secrets with children.
• Uses social networking sites to contact kids privately.
• Allows a child to sit on his/her lap.
• Is overly touchy or physical with children like tickling or massaging (violating a physical boundary).
• Has obvious favorites.
• Gives gifts to children, particularly to only one or two children.
• May convince a child to do “something bad” like lie to a parent, drink alcohol or try marijuana.
• Has nicknames for a specific child.
• Discourages other adults from helping or being around.
• Breaks rules to be around kids.
• Befriends single parents “just to be a helper.”
• Has more of a “friend role” versus an “adult role.”
• Is too good to be true.
Teach your child. You can’t always be with your child so teach them to protect themselves:
• Have a discussion with your child about what is acceptable behavior when it comes to their bodies.
• Make clear-cut rules for them to follow including a “No Touch Zone”, the area between the waist and knees that only you as their parents are allowed to touch without exception.
• Identify “safe adults” both in and out of the family.
Feedback System
As a parent, you have the opportunity to see certain rule-breaking practices that we may not, like gift giving or a counselor spending time with a child they met at the Y away from YMCA programs. It’s important that you know our expectations of Y staff and volunteer conduct and that you report to us any rule-breaking you observe. We hope and encourage you to discuss your child’s activities, counselors, coaches, friends, etc. Get a good feel for how your child feels about their experience. What did they like or dislike, and why?
We recommend you that you ask your child the following questions:
• Who was your favorite counselor? What did you like about him/her?
• Do you plan to stay in touch with any staff? How? Are you planning on staying in touch with anyone else?
• Has anyone at the YMCA asked you to keep a secret? Given you a gift?
• Has anyone at the YMCA touched you in a way that made you feel uncomfortable?
• Has anyone touched you in your No Touch Zone?
The safety of your child is paramount to the YMCA of Greater Boston. We are vigilant in our hiring, training and supervision practices to make our programs safe.
