Virginia 4-H CampingVirginia 4-H CampingVolunteer Training ModulesVolunteer Training Modules

MODULE 5: GENERAL MODULE 5: GENERAL POLICIES FOR 4-H CAMP POLICIES FOR 4-H CAMP

VOLUNTEERSVOLUNTEERSDeveloped by Barry A. Garst, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

4-H Youth Development, March 2006

If you are a If you are a 4-H adult volunteer leader4-H adult volunteer leader:: 1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Consider the “2. Consider the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page.” listed on the last page. 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 3. Contact your local 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for 4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.4-H camping in your county/city) to review this information.

If you are a If you are a VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in VCE faculty or staff member responsible for 4-H camping in your unityour unit::

1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation.1. Review the 4-H camp-related information contained in this presentation. 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer 2. Use this presentation to support your 4-H camp teen/adult volunteer

leader training.leader training. 3. Use the “3. Use the “Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions” listed on the last page as a resource in ” listed on the last page as a resource in

reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.reviewing this information with your 4-H camp volunteers.

How to Use this InformationHow to Use this Information

Equal opportunity/Affirmative ActionEqual opportunity/Affirmative Action ““Chain-of-Command” and limits of authorityChain-of-Command” and limits of authority Volunteer conduct and performance evaluationVolunteer conduct and performance evaluation Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment Use of 4-H Center facilitiesUse of 4-H Center facilities Volunteer “down time”Volunteer “down time” Identification system for volunteer staffIdentification system for volunteer staff

OverviewOverview

Virginia Cooperative Extension and 4-H educational Virginia Cooperative Extension and 4-H educational center programs and employment are open to all, center programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, sex, disability, age, veteran status, regardless of race, sex, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation. orientation.

Virginia Cooperative Extension and the 4-H educational Virginia Cooperative Extension and the 4-H educational centers are equal opportunity/affirmative action centers are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. employers.

Equal OpportunityEqual Opportunity

All 4-H camp teen and adult volunteers are All 4-H camp teen and adult volunteers are accountable to the 4-H Extension Agent (or other accountable to the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) who is serving as 4-H Camp Director.program) who is serving as 4-H Camp Director.

4-H camp volunteers must follow their 4-H camp 4-H camp volunteers must follow their 4-H camp position description and other volunteer expectations position description and other volunteer expectations as defined by their 4-H Extension Agent (or other as defined by their 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program).program).

Chain-of-Command and Chain-of-Command and Limits of Authority Limits of Authority

In most instances, the 4-H Extension Agent (or other In most instances, the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) has the final authority to make decisions in the program) has the final authority to make decisions in the best interest of the county/city 4-H camping program.best interest of the county/city 4-H camping program.

However, for 4-H camps conducted at a 4-H Center, the However, for 4-H camps conducted at a 4-H Center, the 4-H Center’s Program Director and/or Center Director 4-H Center’s Program Director and/or Center Director have “care, custody, and control” of the 4-H Center and have “care, custody, and control” of the 4-H Center and have the authority to make decisions in the best interest have the authority to make decisions in the best interest of anyone who is using the facility.of anyone who is using the facility.

Chain-of-Command and Chain-of-Command and Limits of Authority Limits of Authority

Thus, in some situations, there may be some shared Thus, in some situations, there may be some shared decision-making between the 4-H Extension Agent (or decision-making between the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) and the 4-H Center’s Program camping program) and the 4-H Center’s Program Director and/or Center Director.Director and/or Center Director.

Chain-of-Command and Chain-of-Command and Limits of Authority Limits of Authority

During 4-H camp, teen and adult volunteers should During 4-H camp, teen and adult volunteers should report to their county/city’s 4-H Extension Agent (or report to their county/city’s 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program).camping program).

Ask your 4-H Extension Agent for specifics regarding Ask your 4-H Extension Agent for specifics regarding your 4-H camp’s chain-of-command. Some Agents your 4-H camp’s chain-of-command. Some Agents have specific reporting structures for 4-H camp.have specific reporting structures for 4-H camp.

Chain-of-Command and Chain-of-Command and Limits of Authority Limits of Authority

4-H camp volunteers are expected to have the highest 4-H camp volunteers are expected to have the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. standards of personal and professional conduct.

As representatives of Virginia Tech, Virginia State As representatives of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 4-H, and University, Virginia Cooperative Extension, 4-H, and the 4-H Centers, 4-H camp volunteers must maintain a the 4-H Centers, 4-H camp volunteers must maintain a high degree of professional behavior at all times while high degree of professional behavior at all times while at 4-H camp. at 4-H camp.

Volunteer Conduct and Volunteer Conduct and Performance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation

Virginia 4-H has adopted CHARACTER COUNTS! as Virginia 4-H has adopted CHARACTER COUNTS! as the character education program that it teaches to the character education program that it teaches to youth and adults working with those youth. The “Six youth and adults working with those youth. The “Six Pillars of Character” are:Pillars of Character” are:

TrustworthinessTrustworthiness RespectRespect ResponsibilityResponsibility FairnessFairness CaringCaring CitizenshipCitizenship

Volunteer Conduct and Volunteer Conduct and Performance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation

4-H camp volunteers should strive to demonstrate 4-H camp volunteers should strive to demonstrate these pillars of character while working with 4-H these pillars of character while working with 4-H campers, other volunteers and staff, and 4-H Center campers, other volunteers and staff, and 4-H Center guests. guests.

Volunteer Conduct and Volunteer Conduct and Performance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation

It is important for 4-H camp volunteers to read and It is important for 4-H camp volunteers to read and understand the 4-H Code-of-Conduct, which outlines understand the 4-H Code-of-Conduct, which outlines expected youth conduct . 4-H camp volunteers expected youth conduct . 4-H camp volunteers should enforce the 4-H Code-of-Conduct at all times.should enforce the 4-H Code-of-Conduct at all times.

See “4-H Code-of-Conduct”See “4-H Code-of-Conduct”

Volunteers are expected to read and sign the Volunteers are expected to read and sign the “Standards of Behavior for 4-H Camp Volunteers,” “Standards of Behavior for 4-H Camp Volunteers,” which outlines expected volunteer conduct. which outlines expected volunteer conduct.

See “Standards of Behavior for 4-H Volunteers”See “Standards of Behavior for 4-H Volunteers”

Volunteer Conduct and Volunteer Conduct and Performance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation

4-H camp volunteer are evaluated by the 4-H 4-H camp volunteer are evaluated by the 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the Extension Agent (or other person responsible for the county/city 4-H camping program) before and/or during county/city 4-H camping program) before and/or during camp. This is called the volunteer performance camp. This is called the volunteer performance evaluation process.evaluation process.

The purpose of the volunteer performance evaluation The purpose of the volunteer performance evaluation process is to help volunteers to be successful and to process is to help volunteers to be successful and to ensure the a high quality camping program for 4-H ensure the a high quality camping program for 4-H youth.youth.

Volunteer Conduct and Volunteer Conduct and Performance EvaluationPerformance Evaluation

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:nature when:

Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic status. or academic status.

Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions. is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions.

Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment

Sexual harassment interferes with an individual's Sexual harassment interferes with an individual's volunteer work and may create an intimidating, hostile, volunteer work and may create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment violates Virginia Tech and 4-H Sexual harassment violates Virginia Tech and 4-H Center policy as well as state and federal laws and can Center policy as well as state and federal laws and can result in disciplinary action and dismissal from 4-H result in disciplinary action and dismissal from 4-H camp.camp.

Volunteers should be very aware of their words and Volunteers should be very aware of their words and actions.actions.

Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment

During Junior 4-H camp, volunteers may be given During Junior 4-H camp, volunteers may be given access to 4-H Center facilities. In some cases, this access to 4-H Center facilities. In some cases, this access is a “fringe benefit” of 4-H camp volunteerism. access is a “fringe benefit” of 4-H camp volunteerism.

Contact your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person Contact your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) for more information regarding access to 4-H Center for more information regarding access to 4-H Center facilities.facilities.

Use of 4-H Center FacilitiesUse of 4-H Center Facilities

For some 4-H Centers, special policies apply.For some 4-H Centers, special policies apply.

For example, anytime that 4-H camp paid and volunteer For example, anytime that 4-H camp paid and volunteer staff use a 4-H Center pool, a certified lifeguard staff use a 4-H Center pool, a certified lifeguard must be must be present at all timespresent at all times, and an appropriate number of , and an appropriate number of lookouts must be out of the water based upon the 4-H lookouts must be out of the water based upon the 4-H Center’s policies and procedures.Center’s policies and procedures.

Use of 4-H Center FacilitiesUse of 4-H Center Facilities

Each 4-H camp teen and adult volunteer should receive 2 Each 4-H camp teen and adult volunteer should receive 2 hours of “down time” off each day. This should be time hours of “down time” off each day. This should be time when the volunteer is not expected to directly supervise when the volunteer is not expected to directly supervise youth.youth.

This time may be provided in small or large incrementsThis time may be provided in small or large increments

Please talk with your 4-H Extension Agent (or other Please talk with your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) regarding how your “down-time” will be program) regarding how your “down-time” will be scheduled.scheduled.

““Down Time” (Time Off)Down Time” (Time Off)

Each 4-H Center is required to incorporate an Each 4-H Center is required to incorporate an identification system whereby paid and volunteer staff identification system whereby paid and volunteer staff can be easily identified.can be easily identified.

An identification system is important, as it provides a An identification system is important, as it provides a way that you can be easily identified in an emergency. way that you can be easily identified in an emergency. It also identifies you as someone that a 4-H camper can It also identifies you as someone that a 4-H camper can come to if help is needed.come to if help is needed.

Identification SystemIdentification System

4-H Centers often use colored lanyards, nametags, 4-H Centers often use colored lanyards, nametags, t-shirts, or similar identification methods. As a 4-H camp t-shirts, or similar identification methods. As a 4-H camp volunteer, you may be required to use one of these volunteer, you may be required to use one of these methods of identification.methods of identification.

Contact your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person Contact your 4-H Extension Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) for more information regarding the identification system for more information regarding the identification system that will be used during your week of camp.that will be used during your week of camp.

Identification SystemIdentification System

In the next few MODULES, you will learn about other In the next few MODULES, you will learn about other important policies that all 4-H camp volunteers should important policies that all 4-H camp volunteers should know, including:know, including:

Above Suspicion Policy/Modesty guidelinesAbove Suspicion Policy/Modesty guidelinesBlood-borne Pathogens PolicyBlood-borne Pathogens PolicySupervision PoliciesSupervision PoliciesHealth PoliciesHealth PoliciesEmergency PoliciesEmergency Policies

Other Important PoliciesOther Important Policies

Before 4-H camp begins, you should also discuss with Before 4-H camp begins, you should also discuss with your 4-H Agent (or other person responsible for your your 4-H Agent (or other person responsible for your county/city 4-H camping program) the specifics county/city 4-H camping program) the specifics regarding the following policies:regarding the following policies:

Use of waterfront (if your 4-H Center has a lake/pond/river)Use of waterfront (if your 4-H Center has a lake/pond/river)

Teen/Adult parties and after-hours get-togethersTeen/Adult parties and after-hours get-togethers

Food in cabins/lodgesFood in cabins/lodges

Other Important PoliciesOther Important Policies

How can these policies help you as a 4-H camp volunteer?How can these policies help you as a 4-H camp volunteer?

Do you have any questions regarding the information Do you have any questions regarding the information presented in this module?presented in this module?

Identify one thing that you learned from this module that Identify one thing that you learned from this module that you did not already know.you did not already know.

What do you think is the most important thing that should What do you think is the most important thing that should be remembered from this module?be remembered from this module?

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Garst, B.A. (2005). Garst, B.A. (2005). Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook.Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook. Virginia Virginia Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.Cooperative Extension. Publication 388-562.

Virginia Tech EOAA Office. (2003). Virginia Tech EOAA Office. (2003). Sexual Harassment DefinedSexual Harassment Defined. . Retrieved on November 1, 2003 from Retrieved on November 1, 2003 from

http://www.eoaa.vt.edu/text_only/shm1_text.htmhttp://www.eoaa.vt.edu/text_only/shm1_text.htm

ReferencesReferences