On 10 December 2018, CBS News ran a story about abuse at summer camps. It cited the known statistics of abuse at summer camps over the last half century. And it put a spotlight on one particular case that happened in 2009. As with all incidents of abuse, the details are heartbreaking—perhaps to no one more than parents who entrust their children to the care of other adults. As well as being the co-director of a youth camp, I am the parent of two young children. The thought of their suffering abuse terrifies and saddens me. Yet I recognize how many good adults there are in the world who have the skills, knowledge, and love to bless my kids with wisdom and experiences that I can’t give them. Teachers, coaches, friends’ parents, camp counselors . . . the list of valuable mentors is long. I do not want to deprive my children out of fear for this terrible, minority of evil that is out there.
So what is to be done?
First: a blanket encouragement: Always, always, always report abuse. Campers, students, athletes—all kids—need to tell trusted adults, and they need to tell law enforcement and other pertinent authorities. We know that abuse thrives in secrecy, and light dispels darkness. At camp, school, sports, and anywhere—wrongdoing is only brought to justice and repentance by exposure. Do everything you can to help victims overcome fear and shame, and report the abuse.
Second: If you’re a parent, then you know the due diligence that government agencies like schools perform in order to keep kids as safe as possible. Let me apprise you of the practices that Sonlight uses.
- Sonlight is accredited (and has been accredited for many years) by the American Camp Association (“ACA”). The ACA accreditation is the only standard across all 50 states and it often goes well beyond the minimal standards required by state regulation. The ACA hold s its accredited camps to a high standard of background checks for employees. Sonlight performs those checks on all summer camp staff that have access to our youth campers. To read more about the scope of ACA’s checks, click here.
- Sonlight trains its staff to hold to stringent standards for supervision ratios and to avoid situations that would put a camper’s safety at risk. If you would like to see the ACA standards that direct Sonlight’s training of staff, click here.
- As a Child Care Facility licensed by the State of Colorado, Sonlight must adhere to policies and practices that add another layer of safeguarding for camper safety. We are inspected annually by the State to confirm these practices. If you would like to read these regulations, you may search online for 12 CCR 2509-8 (downloadable pdf can be found here). Pertinent sections include 7.701.33, 7.701.52-4, 7.702.45, and 7.711.23.
As always, if you have any questions about Sonlight’s policies and practices, please email us or give us a call ([email protected], 970-264-4379). We’d love to talk with you and address whatever questions or concerns you might have.
It is our mission to Be With Kids and Show Them God. This means first and foremost keeping your child from harm and ensuring that what they experience at Sonlight is a reflection of Christ’s love. We take very seriously the trust you invest in Sonlight when you drop your kids off for summer camp (my daughter is going to camp with your kids, too!). We are doing everything within our power to honor your trust. We love your kids, too!
With Diligent Love,
emrys tyler
Co-Director