Child Protection Policy

People of Praise Servant Camp
Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct establishes standard policies and provides guidance for those who work with youth under the age of 18 both in the People of Praise and in our outreach efforts. We are called, as Christians, to witness the love of Jesus Christ to all. We recognize, as disciples of Jesus, that we must witness to him both by what we say and what we do, and that our conduct should always seek to be in accord with the faith which we profess. As Jesus said, “Let your light shine before all, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16).

We recognize the responsibility we each hold to promote the wellbeing and safety of each other, and we aim to build positive relationships founded upon respect of boundaries, trust, and integrity. We do not tolerate any type of child abuse.

This Code applies to all volunteers, both members and non-members of the People of Praise, who participate in our ministries involving youth.

This Code must be applied with prudence and good judgment. If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of this Code, or how it applies in a specific circumstance, do not hesitate to talk to the appropriate POP branch leader.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matt 25:40)

Standards for Personal Interactions

• I will maintain appropriate boundaries and exercise reasonable and appropriate interactions with others. 

• I will relate to others with patience, courtesy, respect, and integrity.

• I will work collaboratively and cooperatively with others. 

• I will use positive reinforcement and encouragement, and encourage others to do likewise. 

• I will dress appropriately and in a way consistent with my roles and activities. 

• I will use prudent judgment and common sense.

• I will avoid any conduct that a reasonable person could misconstrue as improper. 

• I will respect the vulnerability of others.

• I will not possess or use alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs when interacting with unrelated youth nor provide these items to them. 

• I will avoid use of medications that impair functioning or good judgment when working with youth. (If you are unsure, consult with your health care provider/prescriber prior to working with youth.) 

• I will not acquire, possess, or distribute any pornographic or sexually explicit, profane, or otherwise inappropriate materials, by any means or technology. 

• I will not provide or receive expensive or excessive gifts from an unrelated youth without the permission of a parent, guardian, or close family member.

• I will not use physical discipline, or profane, demeaning, or abusive language in interactions with youth. However, physical restraint may be used in emergency situations for self-defense or if the youth is a danger to self or others.

Providing a Safe Environment for Youth

• Two trained adults (over age 18) are required to supervise all youth activities. 

  • In case of an emergency, it may be necessary for one leader to go for assistance while another stays with the group. If this occurs, the presence of other adults should be obtained as soon as possible. Consider moving the group to a public area when possible in these situations.

  • Prior to working with youth, an adult must have received POP-approved training as well as read and signed this Code. 

• In general, youth should not be left alone.

  • As children grow up, there may be circumstances where being alone for a period of time might be appropriate (e.g., teenagers might pray alone, or certain games might require brief times of being alone). 

• Children younger than twelve should not be sent into public restrooms unattended.

• All appropriate permission and release forms, signed by the parents, must be on file with the People of Praise prior to youth participating in certain youth activities.

• Parents should be informed of the general plan for any organized youth events.

• For overnight events:

  • Boys and girls must shower separately. 

  • Adults and youth must shower separately.

  • Youth should not change clothes in front of adults and vice versa.

  • In general, there should be separate sleeping areas for boys and girls. This is mandatory once youth have reached the age of 10 years old. 

  • Two trained adults (over age 18) with youth at all times.

  • In situations with youth in which overnight accommodations are in open spaces (gymnasiums, classrooms, gathering spaces, etc.), actions should be taken to create reasonable separation between sexes. 

• Follow these safe environment practices with any youth activities:

  • Meet in rooms with windows when possible. Doors of rooms being used should always remain unlocked, open when possible, and lights in the room should be on.

  • If rooms are not being utilized in buildings where youth activities are present, keep them locked and unavailable. Do not allow youth to be in unsupervised spaces. 

  • Whereabouts of youth should always be known. 

  • When meeting in private residences, maintain safe environment practices, as noted above, and follow the two-adult rule.

• Adults are prohibited from having romantic or sexual relationships with youth.

Conduct with Youth

• Youth activity leaders should carefully explain rules of behavior to youth, and leaders may need to impose appropriate verbal correction. 

• Physical contact with unrelated youth must be public, appropriate, and nonsexual. In general, physical contact should be child-led, and it is good practice to ask permission beforehand (e.g., “Can I give you a hug?”). 

Some examples of permissible physical contact include: 

o   Brief side hugs or an arm around the shoulder

o   Brief pat on the shoulder/upper back 

o   Hand-shakes or “high fives” 

o   Holding hands during prayer 

o   Holding hands while walking with young children and those unsteady

o   Brief touching of hand, head, shoulder, or arm

o   Sitting beside small children 

              Some examples of unacceptable physical contact include:

o   Tickling

o   Massages

o   Prolonged hugs from the front or rear

o   Touching of breasts, genitals, or buttocks

o   Kissing

o   Having youth over the age of five sit on your lap

• Communications in youth activity settings should be prudent and transparent.

  • If you would not want a parent or leader to hear your communication, then you should not be saying it. 

  • Generally, there should not be one-on-one meetings with youth. When having individual conversations, do so in a public space in accordance with the two-adult policy, and exercise prudence in limiting private conversations in general. 

    • Exceptions can be made for one-on-one meetings with parental approval and if the meeting is in a populated, public area.

  • Group gatherings should not become private counseling sessions and conversation should be redirected if this is occurring. However, if youth disclose personal matters of a serious nature, then youth leaders must contact the appropriate authorities as follows:

    • Disclosures from youth about child abuse must be reported immediately to civil authorities and POP leadership.

    • Disclosures from youth about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, homicidal or abusive thoughts, bullying, harassment, and substance abuse problems cannot remain confidential and must be reported to parents and POP leadership.

    • Other personal information a youth shares that does not meet the above criteria of being reportable but raises concern for the youth's wellbeing should be shared with parents and the primary POP event leader, but otherwise handled respectfully and discreetly.

  • Maintain an adult role and appropriate boundaries at all times. 

    • It is primarily the adult’s responsibility to do this. 

    • Interactions with youth should be authentic and genuine. Leaders should be mindful of monitoring their self-disclosures so that they are always for the good of the youth, age-appropriate, and not exploitative.

• Digital and online platforms are often the preferred means of communication for youth. Communications via online, digital, and social media platforms must be appropriate and transparent. 

  • Parental permission is required prior to any electronic communication with youth. 

  • Use group messages when communicating electronically and include parents and/or other POP leaders. 

    • Occasional one-to-one electronic communications may be appropriate (e.g., clarifying event details, a brief word of encouragement) but do not hold ongoing conversations or send messages you would not want a parent or leader to read

  • Avoid contacting youth outside of normal/acceptable hours, such as late at night.

• If there is concern about electronic communication boundary violations on the part of the youth, you should promptly bring this to the attention of the youth’s parents.

Transportation

• If the People of Praise is arranging official event transportation for youth, drivers must be fully licensed, insured, and at least 18 years of age, or older if required by insurance or rental car companies. 

• Parents are free to make driving arrangements with which they are comfortable.

• Drivers must ensure that all child seat and restraint (e.g., seatbelt) laws are strictly adhered to. 

• Drivers must adhere to traffic laws. 

• Persons with convictions for a DUI in the past five years may not serve as drivers. 

• When on outings involving the possibility of physical risks (overnight or out of town trips; events involving physical labor; hiking, etc.) a basic first aid kit should be easily accessible. The leaders should also have copies of current health forms signed by the parent(s) authorizing medical care if needed.

Reporting Misconduct

• Anyone who has reason to believe that a youth is being or has been abused or neglected must report this immediately to both: 

a. Proper civil authorities

b. People of Praise leadership 

• Reporting child abuse or neglect must meet or exceed the legal requirements in your area. 

• Any concerns about illegal, unethical or unprofessional behavior must be reported immediately to People of Praise leadership. 

• Adults involved in youth activities must self-report to POP leadership as promptly as possible if they are arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime.

Who can I talk to if I have questions that aren't answered on this page?

Please get in touch with our Program Directors using the information found on our Contact Us page.