Safety Training Workshop for the 2018 LS VBS in Scarborough, Ont.

Working with local youths in Waterloo, Ont. - 2017 VBS

For the past two decades, I have been working with young people  in Toronto and its surrounding area.

An icebreaker activity for Safety Workshop participants last week.

Last weekend, I was invited to conduct a workshop in Scarborough. There was a good turnout.

I ran out of the handouts I prepared for the workshop participants and I felt bad that those who came late did not receive anything from me.

The LS camp provides youths with volunteer & employment opportunities

Rather than busy writing down notes during the workshop,  participants should enjoy and focus on the safety training.  Therefore, I promised them that I would post my power point notes here in my blog. Here they are:

Goals of Our Toronto 2018 VBS:

·         Bring kids to learn about God

·         Ensure safety for all campers / staff

·         Provide leadership training and employment opportunities to young people

·         Provide quality programs / experience for kids

We had an excellent turnout for the 2018 safety training workshop 

Important Information on hand for all staff

·        Address, phone number and major intersections of our camp site

·        Name and home /cell phone numbers of director, leaders and counsellors

Registration

Student Information - Parents must complete a registration form for each camper.
When registering new campers, make sure the following student info is clearly recorded on the registration form:

·         Name, age, etc

·         Minimum 2 contact  phone numbers

·         Allergies

·         Contact information

·         Emergency contact phone numbers

·         Learning problems

·         Medical history

·         Serious concerns

·         Serious illness and past history

Important Factor for Keeping Students Safe:

1.  Student Supervision

2.  Safety Procedures

3   Discipline

4.  Good Planning & Preparation

1. Student Supervision   -  Supervisors' Do's

·         Supervision - key to safety

·         Have and discuss clear expectations of students

·         Be Involved with students

·         Be Engaged with campers

·         Alert of situations

·         Circulate among students

Before and After Each Activity

·         Head count

·         Scan room often

·         Know:

·         Students’ names

·         Where YOUR students are

·         What they are doing at all time

·         Aware of strangers coming in the building/ / play area

Student Supervisors - DON'TS

·         Just stand or sit around

·         Talk to your friends

·         Text on cell

·         Appear disinterested

·         Stand with back to students

·         Unprepared for activity

·         Run around getting things ready while  supervising students

2.  Safety Procedures  -  Be familiar with our VBS’ safety procedures for the following:

·         Registration

·         Drop off / Pick up

·         Lunch Supervision

·         Planning & Preparation

Drop off / Pick up Procedures

·         Parents/ Guardians' responsibilities – Must sign in / out of kids each time

·         Camp Staff responsibilities:

·         2 people to receive, sign in / sign out students

·         2 Greeters at the door

·         AM Drop off Procedure

·         Receive students

·         Hang up backpack/ lunch

·         Bring student to activity centre, he/she has something to do

·         PM Pick Up Procedure

·         Bring students to parents at end of the day

Lunch Hour - Lunchroom supervision

·         Students eat with group at table

·         No heating up food for students safety reasons

·         No lunch needs reheating

·         No students in kitchen

·         Volunteers, camp staff use microwave only

·         Do not use oven/ stove

Students must be supervised to:

·         Clean up

·         Put away all Activity Stations before going to next program

Dismissal Time at end of each activity:

·        

      Give kids warning and sufficient time to finish up their current activity

·         Allow children 5 - 8 minutes to clean up activity area/ tables etc.

End of the Day Dismissal

·         Students take :

·         Lunch box, backpack, notes to parents etc.

·         Staff:  Director

·         Greet/ talk to parents about the day

·         Discuss with parents of concerns ASAP

·         Know who are the children for extended hour

·         Set up only 2 of the Activity Centres for children in extended care program

Parents/ Guardians:     •Sign out when picking up child each time

3. Good Discipline = Safety

  Make rules/ expectations and consequences clear to all

·         1^st. warning

·         2^nd. warning

·         3^rd. warning with consequences

·         Suggested Consequences for students with persistent inappropriate behaviour

·         Time out for 10 minutes

·         Quiet corner

·         Do not give child anything to do

·         Student may see it as reward when they are giving something to do

·         Let the child Sit there and do nothing

·         Boredom is a punishment enough!

  3.     Discipline

·         Do not be alone with a child

·         No one on one conversation or disciplining with closed door!

·         If a child is crying

·         Only 1 counselor &1 volunteer stay with the cryingchild

·         Do not overdo it with too much attention

·         If a child is hurt

·         Talk to child calmly

·         Calm child down

·         If no immediate danger - Ask child to get up and walk slowly by him herself

4.       Planning and Organization

·         Preparation is the Key to Safety! Good Planning = Safety

·         Plan ahead

·         Plan with partner,

·         leader/ volunteers

·         Assess needs of campers

·         Find out  interests

·         Plan activities –

·         Relevant/ interest

·         Plan ahead

·         Get everything 1-2 days before lesson/ activity takes place

·         Do not go shopping or gathering material on the day of lesson

Camp Staff:

·         Ask Parents to:  Label hats, lunch box, coats, shoes etc on the inside of the item, not outside

·         Discuss  concerns with Camp Director/Supervisor

Camp Director

·         Meet regularly with group leaders, staff/ volunteers

·         Plan and discuss camp activities and students/ issues

·         Communication with parents regularly at drop off/ pick up time

 Call parents to discuss if there are concerns.

 Have fun and remember to pray for your students and the VBS each day!

 R.T.
S    Safety Training Day at LS, Scarborough
J     June 23, 2018
J