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| Table of Contents | |
| Statement of Philosophy |
Operating Guidlines for Canadian Paediatric Oncology Camps
Camp provides children who have experienced childhood cancer and their siblings with a therapeutic, safe, enjoyable and supportive experience.
1.0 Accreditation
1.1 The camp must comply with the standards of the Provincial Camping Association under whose jurisdiction it falls. Formal accreditation of the camp by the appropriate camping association will constitute evidence of having met this requirement. A camp once accredited should remain a member in good standing of the camping association.
A camp in a province which does not have a camping association (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island) should comply with the standards set by the camping association in an adjacent province.
1.2 In those cases where a paediatric oncology camp utilizes the services of another established camp to develop and deliver a specialized cancer programme, the camp so engaged must be accredited by the appropriate camping association, and should comply with any additional operating requirements set out in this document.
2.1 The camp must operate in formal association with a recognized paediatric oncology clinic. Formal association means that the camp can publicly declare its association with the clinic on its literature and during public addresses and that the medical director of the clinic or his/her delegate is a member of the management board that governs operations of the camp.
2.2 The camp may have a formal association with a Division of the Canadian Cancer Society and/or a recognized Parent Association.
3.1 Financial accountability should be to the funding bodies.
3.2 An annual financial audit should be carried out by certified accountants.
3.3 Annual financial statements should be available for review.
4.1 A camp must not accept funding from manufacturers or distributers of tobacco products.
5.1 Membership on the Board should include the medical director or his/her designate from the local paediatric oncology treatment centre.
5.2 Membership should include at least one parent representative and a survivor of childhood cancer.
5.3 Other members may be appointed at the Board's discretion.
6.1 The camp should be located no more that one hour away from a tertiary treatment centre using any mode of transportation (including helicopter or air ambulance). This time includes the time required for a non-resident vehicle to travel to the campsite.
6.2 All areas of the camp should be wheelchair accessible.
7.1 The camp must maintain a maximum ratio of one staff person/counsellor/volunteer to every 4 - 5 campers.
7.2 All staff should have job descriptions approved by the Board.
7.3 The registered nurse on site should be an experienced paediatric oncology nurse.
7.4 Camp volunteers and counsellors should be screened through an established interview process to determine suitability for camp positions.
7.5 Female staff should be available to assist with the personal hygiene needs of female campers as necessary.
7.6 It is recommended that all camp staff have successfully completed the St. John Ambulance first aid training course.
7.7 The camp organizers must provide an orientation programme for all camp personnel prior to the camp (cooks and maintenance staff optional). This session should include formal instruction and opportunities for discussion related to the following topics:
• handling of body fluids (hepatitis, HIV risk)
• confidentiality of personal and medical information.
• physical and sexual abuse patterns in society
• talking about sensitive and difficult topics
• respecting cultural and personal values
• reporting on the psychosocial well-being of the campers
• identifying and reporting important physical symptoms
• supervision of campers
• personal support available for staff
8.1 All medical forms, medical information, psychosocial information pertaining to campers and staff must be safeguarded and treated as strictly confidential.
8.2 The camp must develop disclosure policies governing what information may be revealed to which staff and for what purpose.
8.3 Each staff person (including counsellors-in-training) must understand these policies and sign a form agreeing to abide by them during camp and in perpetuity thereafter.
8.4 These written disclosure policies and the form the staff must sign must be submitted with the application for endorsement.
9.0 Psychosocial Support and Counselling
9.1 The social worker(s), psychologist(s), child life worker(s), or nurse(s) with formal responsibility for the ongoing psychosocial support of each camper must be; present at the camp; on call and readily available for consultation by telephone with the camp directors or medical staff, or; identify in writing another professional who is competent to assume these responsibilities on their behalf.
9.2 Structured counselling sessions generally do not occur at camp. Individual camps may, however, decide whether or not to offer campers the opportunity to discuss their unique emotional needs through developmentally appropriate workshops that are designed to be therapeutic and fun.
10.1 Camps for older teens aged 16 - 18 should be run at a time separate from camps for younger children aged 5 - 15. If teen camp is held in conjunction with the camp for younger children, it is recommended that separate sessions and/or programmes be planned for the teens designed to address their specific needs.
10.2 Adequate supervision must be provided. It is suggested that the ratio of camper to counsellor be maintained at a maximum of 5 or 6:1.
11.1 The paediatric oncologist(s) with formal responsibility for the medical care of each camper must be; present at the camp or on call and readily available for consultation by telephone with the camp director of medical staff or; identify in writing another doctor who is competent to assume these responsibilities.
11.2 At least two medical staff, doctors or paediatric oncology nurses must be in camp. If a paediatric oncologist is not on site he or she must be on call should a medical emergency develop.
11.3 There should be a ratio of one health professional to every thirty campers.
11.4 The head nurse at the camp must have a minimum of three years in pediatric oncology or five years in general paediatric nursing. All other camp nurses must have a minimum of one year of paediatric experience, or two year's active nursing care in any other area.
11.5 A doctor, nurse or paramedic equipped with a complete first aid kit must accompany campers on field trips which will take the campers more than 30 minutes walk away from camp.
11.6 The camp health centre must have at least the following supplies and equipment:
• stethoscope
• blood pressure equipment with adult and child cuffs
• backboard
• stretcher
• splints
• adequate supply of all sizes of bandages
• a comprehensive first aid kit
• a non-expired bee sting kit
• antibiotics
• catheter supplies
• telephone or two way radio
11.7 Other supplies may be added as deemed necessary by the paediatric oncology professionals.
11.8 Chemotherapy may be administered at camp by a certified paediatric oncology nurse or paediatric oncologist.
11.9 All medications should be clearly labelled in original containers dispensed by pharmacy. A profile of medications required by each camper should be completed by the oncologist, pharmacist or parent.
12.1 Tobacco, alcohol and non-medical drugs are not allowed in camp.
12.2 Written emergency evacuation procedures must be clearly posted and reviewed with campers and staff.
12.3 Qualified lifeguards must be on duty during all swimming and water recreation periods.
12.4 Safe swimming areas should be marked with buoys.
12.5 Safety approved life jackets must be worn by staff and campers in boats.
12.6 Fire drills must be completed regularly with each camp.
12.7 Incident and accident reports must be completed appropriately.
12.8 Animals who have been screened for temperament, streptococcus, and who are completely immunized may be kept at the camp, but are the responsibility of the staff.
13.1 Wherever possible the camp should provide camping options for siblings. A separate sibling programm may be offered, but it is preferable to have the siblings participate in the same programme as the children with cancer or at a family camp.
14.1 An advisory notice must be sent to all parents in advance of camp reminding them of the dangers of infectious diseases such as chicken pox and advising them to report to the camp medical staff any suspected or real contacts in advance of letting their child come to the camp.
15.1 Liability insurance must be thoroughly addressed and in place prior to the operation of the camp. Liability insurance is important for the owners and operators of the camp site, paid and volunteer staff to cover their actions during camp and for transportation by staff or volunteer.
15.2 Parents should sign a waiver absolving the camp staff and directors of the board from any liability in the case of accident.
15.3 Health insurance is the responsibility of the parent.
Please Note: These guidelines are not intended for family camp.
Comments,
and suggestions may be sent to [email protected]
