For Parents: Policies

Enrollment Policy
Non-discrimination
Wander Wisconsin does not discriminate against youth or families in enrollment on the basis of race, creed, color, disability, gender, national origin, or ancestry. Diversity is welcomed in the Wander Wisconsin camps, where campers learn to accept individual differences. Wander Wisconsin programs are operated in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture non-discrimination policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion, or national origin.

Ages Served
Wander Wisconsin camps serve campers from age eight through age fifteen. Special Leadership Development programs are offered for youth age fourteen through age seventeen. All Wander Wisconsin trips will maintain a minimum ratio of one staff to every six campers participating.

Required Information
The following information must be obtained from all families before campers may attend:

1. Full name, age, birth date, grade or class and school attended.

2. Name, address, and phone number of all parents/guardians (including both home and work phones).

3. Signed emergency medical care or treatment release.

4. Name, address, and phone number of the camper’s physician or clinic.

5. Post-trip departure procedure for the camper, including the names of all persons authorized to pick up the camper.

6. A minimum of two emergency contact persons including addresses, telephone numbers, and relationship to the camper. Emergency contacts must be 18 years of age or older.

7. Special event /activity and transportation permission.

8. Information regarding a camper’s special needs or disability.

9. Registration agreement signed by the person(s) responsible for payment of fees.

10.The Health History Form indicating that state immunization requirements are met.

11. The Health Examination Form completed and signed by
appropriate Medical Care Professional.

12. The Authorization to Administer Medication form to be completed by the parent.

13. A signed Acknowledgment of Risk, Waiver, Hold Harmless, Release of Liability Form.

14. A signed Swim Level Permission Form.

All of the information listed is kept confidential, unless a signed release is obtained, and used only for the purpose of guarding the camper’s health and safety.

Registration Priorities
Campers are accepted into Wander Wisconsin trips on a first-come first-served basis.
No enrollment will be held without registration forms and stipulated payments.
The administration may adopt other registration practices in accordance with this policy, to assure that minimum enrollment is maintained.

Confirmation
Parents are notified by mail or by phone of their child’s acceptance into camp, and are not to send their child without this confirmation.

Probationary Period
The first trip is probationary for all participating youth. Wander Wisconsin reserves the right to deny participation in subsequent trips due to behavior or special needs which cannot be accommodated in the camp setting. If due, a fee refund for subsequent trips for which the camper is enrolled will be issued.

Withdrawal and Termination
A camper may be withdrawn from Wander Wisconsin trips with written notification to the Administrative Offices from the person responsible for payment of fees. Notification must be received two weeks prior to the start of the trip for which withdrawal pertains.

A camper may be terminated from camp for any of the following reasons:

1. Delinquent tuition payment. Parents must have been issued at least two notices of unpaid fees before termination may take place.

2. Special needs that cannot be reasonably accommodated (including disruptive behavior).

Removal of campers during a trip will be the discretionary decision of the Wander Wisconsin trip leaders, Wander Wisconsin Director and the Camp Program Director. If removal is necessary due to behavior or special needs, any expenses will be the parent’s responsibility.

Attendance Policy
Arrival and Departure
Parent and campers check in with staff upon their arrival.
Campers are dismissed after each Wander Wisconsin trip according to the departure procedure outlined by parents on their registration form. Parents must sign out with staff before departing with their child. Only authorized persons specified on the registration form may pick up your child. We will not release your child to any other persons without permission. You may change the departure procedures for your child by notifying the Regional Administrative Office in writing.

Fee Policy

The $100.00 down payment toward each trip is not refundable or transferable, unless a requested trip is unavailable. No fee credit will be given for days missed during a trip.

Payment and all required information must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the scheduled trip, or a late-processing fee of $20 will be charged. If registering within two weeks of the trip, payment is due immediately and all forms must be complete prior to the trip departure date.

Fees repeatedly not paid by the due dates may result in my child's removal from subsequent programs. I understand that a $25.00 charge is assessed for each Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) check.

A written two-week advance notice must be received by the Administrative Office to cancel any trip. Failure to submit written cancellation two weeks prior to that trip will result in the liability of all fees paid and owed for that trip.

If a trip is cancelled for any reason, registering families shall have no claim other than a full refund.

Tax Information
A summary of what a family has paid to Wander Wisconsin or any Wisconsin Youth Company program over the calendar year is mailed to the parents of all participating students. Statements are prepared at the end of the calendar year and also provided upon request. Families should allow at least two weeks to receive this information.

Special Needs Policy
The Wander Wisconsin program is designed to provide participants with a positive camping experience. Each trip offers opportunities to build individual skills, appreciate the natural environment, and work to achieve group cohesiveness. Participating youth are responsible for exhibiting a certain maturity in order to meet the expectations set by the group as well as the staff. Wander Wisconsin trips are designed to meet the needs of children who are between age eight and fifteen, with exception to Leadership Programs for ages fourteen to seventeen.

Wander Wisconsin staff make every effort to accommodate the special needs of children within the physical limitations of the program, the availability of program resources, and normal camper/staff ratios.

Wander Wisconsin expects camp staff to be committed to serving youth with varying abilities, and to do this to the extent that the quality of programming given to all campers is not diminished.

If the camper’s special needs or disabilities are such that a higher than usual level of staff involvement, a significant programmatic change, or an additional financial commitment is required for the camper to function in camp, the Director and the Camp Program Director will make an effort to work with the parents to explore how and whether the camper might benefit from the program.

All parents of children with special needs must supply our staff with full information about the child’s special needs or disabilities in advance of attendance.

Wander Wisconsin reserves the right to deny participation in subsequent trips due to behavior or special needs which cannot be accommodated in the camp setting. Removal of campers during a trip will be the discretionary decision of the Wander Wisconsin trip leaders, Wander Wisconsin Director and the Camp Program Director.

Health and Safety Policy
Health History
Parents shall complete a Health History Form indicating that the camper is in compliance with state immunization requirements. This information must be on file prior to a camper’s first day of attendance and must be updated as additional needed immunizations are received.

Parents shall also have a completed Health Examination form indicating that Licensed Medical Personnel have deemed the camper fit for the Wander Wisconsin program. This form must be completed and filed at the office prior to participation.

Parents refusing to have their children immunized or examined by medical personnel for religious reasons will not be refused entry into camp, provided that their children have required documentation and that they complete the Health History accordingly.

Illness
Upon arrival, and each day while participating on the trip, campers will be observed by the staff for signs of illness.

1.If a camper arrives or becomes ill while on a Wander Wisconsin trip, a staff member will have the camper rest and spend time with the camper, assessing the nature of the problem.

2.Wander Wisconsin trip-leaders will evaluate and respond to an illness according to their level of training and certification. When more care is needed, trip-leaders will call 911 (or other emergency number indicated prior to departure) and the care will be provided by emergency services.

3.Parents and the Wander Wisconsin Director will be notified of significant illness as well as anytime outside medical services are needed.

Communicable/Contact Diseases
When a suspicion of communicable or contact disease exists in regard to one of the campers, the staff will assess the situation, identifying the condition when possible, and act according to their training and certification. If staff can not determine positively that the situation is correctly identified and controllable, they will proceed as follows:

1.Make the Director and parents aware of the camper’s illness and any specific requirement to have the camper seen by a physician and/or the need for physician’s approval before the camper returns to the program.

2.Notify the Health Department as applicable if the camper has a reportable communicable disease.

3.Notify the parents of all campers on the affected trip by word of mouth and a post-trip letter informing parents that their children might be exposed.

4.Observe other campers at the affected site for signs of illness during the course of the incubation time.

Accident/Injury Response
Each camp staff member shall receive First Aid program information as part of orientation. The following steps will be taken when an accident/injury occurs:

1. Administration of First Aid and comfort to the camper.

2. Attempt to contact the camper’s parent(s) and follow their instructions.

3. If parents cannot be reached and immediate treatment is needed, the camper’s physician is contacted for instructions and these are followed. An “emergency contact” person specified by the parents is notified as well as the Camp Director.

4. If necessary, the camper is transported to a location specified by the physician via Rescue Squad.

5. The Camp Program Director and the Director of Administration are notified as soon as practical whenever a camper is seriously injured while on the trip, regardless of what measures are taken.

Superficial wounds shall be cleansed with soap and water and protected with a bandage or adhesive type strip. Each trip leader will have a supply of bandages, tape, adhesive strips, etc., as well as hand soap, on hand at all times.

Accident/Incident Reporting
One staff on each trip will maintain a medical log that conforms to American Camping Association requirements:

1. The bound medical log will have lined and numbered pages and all entries recorded in ink. No spacing will be allowed between entries.

2. All injuries, no matter how minor, and all medications administered will be recorded in this log and signed by the person making the entry.

3. Parents will be informed of minor injuries by receiving a copy of the Accident Report Form.

4. Parents shall sign the form before being given their copy. Where this is not possible, a staff member will record how notification was done (phone call, form sent home, etc.).

5. The Wander Wisconsin Director will review, by direct inspection, all medical log entries at least once during the summer, and will review log entries with camp staff weekly to consider preventative measures that will minimize future occurrences.

Whenever a child injury requires medical attention, the Camp Program Director and the Director of Administration shall be informed.

Medication
Over-the-counter medication may be administered to any camper while in the program only if:

•a signed and dated written authorization by the parent is obtained. A form will go with the trip leaders for reference and documentation.

•the medicine is labeled with the camper’s name including the dosage and directions for administering.

Prescription medication may be administered only if:

•a signed and dated written authorization by the parent is obtained.

•the medication is in the original container and labeled with the camper’s name, name of drug, dosage, directions for administering, date, and physician’s name.

Medication Storage
All prescription medications and other medications shall be stored in an area inaccessible to campers. (This requires that the medications are “in controlled possession of,” or on the person of, a trip leader, in a locked pack, locked container or locked in an empty vehicle. All medication administered to campers shall be recorded in the Medical log and signed by the person administering it. In most cases, medications requiring refrigeration cannot be carried on trips because the group will not have access to adequate refrigeration.

General Hygiene
Campers shall wash their hands with soap and water after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food. Food shall be served on plates, napkins, or clean paper towels and under no circumstances on bare tables or floors.

Items necessary for sanitation (soap, clean water, toilet paper) will be available to campers and staff at all times. Trip-leaders will model good sanitation habits. This includes personal hygiene (brushing teeth regularly, washing hands before meals and after going to the bathroom, etc.) as well as safe food handling and preparation.
When safe drinking water is not available (designated wells, spigots, etc.) all water will be treated in an appropriate way. (This includes chemical purification, filtration or boiling.)

Sign-In and Sign-Out
To ensure that campers arrive and leave safely from the program, staff or parents (guardians) will sign campers in or out on arrival or departure days.

Tracking of Campers in the Program
Trip leaders must know the whereabouts of each camper at all times.

Swimming Policy
Swim Ability Assignments
All campers will be allowed to participate in water activities based on their swimming ability. The makeup of assigned swim groups will be determined by individual camper’s swimming skills.

Level 1: Non-swimmers will be designated Level 1 and will be required to stay in the water no deeper than their chests.

Level 2: Those having swimming skills equivalent to the Red Cross Beginning Swimmer course requirements will be designated as Level 2 swimmers and will be permitted to swim within the roped off area of a beach.

Level 3: Campers having swimming skills equivalent to the Red Cross Advanced Swimmer course will be designated Level 3 and will be allowed in water over their heads, with the approval of the lifeguard on duty. No more than four Level 3 campers will be assigned to an adult who will be with them in the water.

In Wilderness Setting
A trained staff will scope out the area looking for hidden obstacles (sticks, logs, rocks) currents, and changes in water depths and clearly define and enforce swim-area boundaries. One leader will remain on-shore as a shore-watch at all times campers are swimming.

Trip groups will maintain the accepted ratio of 6:1 when swimming.

Swimming Pool Use
In the event that a Wander Wisconsin trip makes a trip to a public pool, all pool rules will be enforced by the lifeguard and by all Wander Wisconsin staff. A certified lifeguard must be present at all times when campers swim. The capacity of the pool may not be exceeded. Pool safety equipment (extension poles, buoys, etc.) must be present and in working condition when campers are swimming. A divider between the deep and shallow ends must be set up if typically used at occupied pool.

In addition to the pool’s lifeguard, one other adult should be out of the water watching any group of more than twelve in the water. Other adults present may either be swimming or on the deck watching, but should be ready to assist campers as needed. Where there are NON-SWIMMERS who cannot stand comfortably in the shallow end, there shall be an adult in the water at all times to assist them.

There shall be at least one adult to every six campers. Campers shall be assigned “buddies.” Buddy checks will be called regularly.

Beach Swimming Procedures
Campers will only swim in those areas designated as safe by the municipality and county Health Departments. For routine swimming, campers will use beaches where lifeguards are present. All campers shall stay within the roped off limits of the beach. Non-swimmers shall stay in water no deeper than their chests. Those having demonstrated swimming skills equivalent to the Red Cross Beginning Swimmer course shall be permitted to swim anywhere within the roped-off beach area. Only competent swimmers will be allowed in water over their heads, and then only when an adult swimmer is in the water with them. No more than three campers will be assigned to this adult.

Campers will enter the water with a “buddy” and under the supervision of a specific adult supervisor. No adult shall supervise more than three pairs of buddies at the beach. Adults may either swim with their group or supervise from shore.

Campers shall remain within twenty feet of their “buddy” while in the water, and pairs shall inform their supervising adult when they enter or leave the water. “Buddy checks” shall be called periodically, more frequently at the start of each session in order to establish the pattern. Pairs of campers must be together at the shoreline within the count of ten, or they will lose swimming time.

Campers not swimming shall remain within the beach area in sight of their supervising adult; a staff member must be aware when campers use the changing or bathroom facilities.

Campers and staff members shall follow all regular “beach rules.”

Swimming at Water Parks or Aquatic Centers
Campers may occasionally use other pool facilities while on trips. A certified and trained lifeguard must be present when campers swim, and the beach or pool must be an approved area. The same rules, either for outdoor or indoor facilities, apply to these situations. Staff should keep in mind that the area is unfamiliar to campers and provide maximum instruction for safety. If the shallow end of a pool is deeper than chest-deep on non-swimmers, the staff shall supervise them closely (three to one ratio).

Beach Emergency/Lost Swimmer Procedure
In the event that a camper becomes lost or is unaccounted for, the staff will:

1.Immediately notify all other adults, including the beach or pool lifeguards; describe the camper and his whereabouts to all.

2.Call a general “buddy check” and get the other campers out of the water.

3.One staff member and any youth aides or volunteer staff should check the bathrooms, beach area, and nearby areas.

4.Follow the lifeguard’s directions for conducting a water search, if necessary. All campers shall remain on shore until the missing camper is found.

Transportation Policy
A Wander Wisconsin van is the preferred means of transporting children in the program. Public Transportation (municipal or chartered bus, etc.) may be used at times for special trips. Documentation of adequate liability insurance must be on file with Wander Wisconsin if the services of an independent transportation company are used. Privately-owned vehicles may be used only with the prior approval of the Director of Administration, provided that the following rules are met:

1. Written parental consent has been obtained.

2. The driver must hold a valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

3. The driver must be at least 21 years of age and have at least two years’ experience as a licensed driver.

4. Wander Wisconsin has documentation of adequate automobile liability insurance coverage on file.

5. Wander Wisconsin staff transporting campers in a privately owned vehicle must be on Wander Wisconsin’s authorized driver list.

Any vehicle transporting campers must be:
1. Licensed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.
2. Clean, uncluttered, and free of obstructions on the floors, aisles, and seats.
3. Enclosed.

Campers and staff must wear seatbelts if available. Any vehicle used to transport children must have its doors locked at all times while the vehicle is moving.

The driver or adult rider shall be responsible for seeing that all campers remain seated. While the vehicle is in motion, campers should not be allowed to speak loudly, argue, roughhouse, etc. If necessary, the driver shall stop the vehicle until an acceptable driving atmosphere exists.

Any transport of campers requires that notice must be given to the parents of all campers involved, providing dates, estimated time of departure and return and destinations.

Environmental Emergency Response Policy
Camp staff shall devise plans for evacuation in case of fire, tornado, or other emergency situations for every program site used. In the case where trip-groups are based at a state or national forest or park, the trip-leaders and trip group will review the emergency procedures established by the area.

In wilderness settings, leaders will check with local authorities upon arrival as to fire danger and expected weather during their stay in the area. In the case of unexpected wildfire, the group will proceed (by designated trail or route, whenever possible) to the nearest public contact point (travelled road, phone, ranger station, etc.) report the situation and request emergency assistance when necessary. Staff will be trained in appropriate response to major storms such as tornado and lightening storms, including appropriate shelter, storm appraisal and group management in an emergency situation. This training will be part of orientation.

Emergency plans are to be discussed as a group. These plans shall designate a primary and an alternate escape plan as well as the location of the nearest public contact.
The Director is to see that staff have the skill and knowledge to set up an emergency response plan. Plans for such a response will be discussed generally during orientation and more specifically as trip-leaders plan on encountering varying environments and means of travel.

Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
Wander Wisconsin recognizes the serious local, state, and national problems associated with child abuse and neglect. The organization also recognizes its legal responsibility for reporting suspected cases of child abuse to the properly constituted state, county, or local authorities. The Wander Wisconsin camp staff are legally required to report either knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Based on legal requirements and its moral commitments, Wander Wisconsin has adopted guidelines which provide direction for the program staff in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse or child neglect cases. These guidelines are printed in staff manuals assigned to each staff member.

Wander Wisconsin camp staff are in a unique position to identify potential cases of abuse or neglect of children. Responsible action by staff is to be achieved through the recognition and understanding of a problem, knowledge of reporting procedures, and participation in periodic staff development programs on the subject of child abuse and neglect.

Wisconsin Youth Company policy regarding confidentiality of records shall pertain to the reporting of child abuse and neglect. In reporting suspected abuse or neglect, Wander Wisconsin accuses no individual. Wander Wisconsin does not investigate abuse reports and Wander Wisconsin can not wait until a suspicion has been confirmed before reporting. Any incident in which an Wander Wisconsin camp staff member or volunteer is suspected or accused of neglecting or physically or sexually abusing a child will be reported directly and immediately to the county Department of Social Services. The procedures and expectations for reporting an incident in which a staff member may be involved are the same as for all other incidents.

Changes to this policy will be made, as necessary, to conform with changes or revisions in the state statutes.

Runaway Child Policy
Wander Wisconsin has authorized the following procedure to deal with a camper who leaves or threatens to leave the premises of any camp program without staff or parental authorization.

1. Every effort, short of forcibly restraining the camper, shall be made to keep the camper from leaving the premises.

2. Camp staff may not leave the rest of the group unsupervised to pursue a runaway camper.

3. The Director will be contacted immediately if a camper runs from the group. The Camp Program Director will also be notified.

4. Parents are to be notified and informed of the situation. In the event the parents cannot be reached, the emergency contacts will be called.

5. In the event that the camper cannot be located, the local police, sheriff or appropriate agency will be called for assistance.

Discipline Policy
Wander Wisconsin directs its staff to provide supervision and guidance that is consistent, objective, and non-discriminatory. The staff is trained in methods of group management and discipline, conflict resolution, and in normal child developmental characteristics.

Wander Wisconsin believes that the following factors contribute to a positive, successful program:

1. Campers have an opportunity to become meaningfully involved in choosing camp activities.

2. The staff clearly defines and consistently enforces rules and expectations.

3. The staff is sensitive to special circumstances and environments and is flexible with individual campers.

4. Staff members structure the program to facilitate cooperation.

5. A predictable routine is provided when appropriate.

In Wander Wisconsin programs, the development of self-control, self-esteem, and respect for the rights of others is encouraged.

1. Staff members serve as examples in their treatment of other camp staff and campers.

2. Staff maintain self-control and respect for the camper when disciplining or helping to resolve conflict.

3. Staff encourage campers involved in a conflict to express in words their own versions or perspectives of a dispute.

Wander Wisconsin’s policy is that standards of conduct and discipline that support effective programming at its camp sites must be maintained. Wander Wisconsin believes that it is essential to provide both staff and campers with an environment that is safe, caring, and supportive.

Accordingly, campers enrolled in Wander Wisconsin programs are prohibited from engaging in behaviors that:

1. Interfere with effective program operations.

2. Threaten health or life.

3. Are illegal.


Wander Wisconsin believes that certain factors should be considered when disciplinary strategies are necessary.
These include:

1. The camper’s age.

2. The camper’s maturity.

3. His/her contrition.

4. The gravity of the offense.

5. Prior behaviors.

6. Deterrence.

7. Protection of the program environment.

8. Effectiveness of prior disciplinary interventions.


Wander Wisconsin believes that the factors referenced above as well as other factors may result in consequences that exceed those specified in this policy. Disciplinary measures are taken only by adults. Campers are not given disciplinary power over other campers. Corrective behavior interventions which might be taken to correct misbehaviors include, but are not limited to:

1. The behavior, if minor and attention-seeking, may be ignored.

2. The camper may be encouraged to do something else.

3. The camper may be asked to repeat or explain the rule.

4. Staff members reinforce positive behaviors by directing the camper’s attention to what he/she is doing of value.

5. Staff members make an effort to listen to what the camper is expressing and to understand what he/she is feeling.

6. Staff members talk with a camper about the situation.

7. Staff members talk with a camper’s parent(s) about the situation.

8. Staff members defuse an angry situation by adding humor or bringing in a neutral party.

9. Staff members interrupt the behavior by having the camper take a cool-down or time-out period away from the situation. In using a “time-out” procedure, consideration is given to whether the camper or another camper is in danger and whether the camper is interfering with the activity of others. Time-out periods are to be five minutes or less in duration, and efforts are made to have the camper rejoin the group successfully.

10.At times, staff members withhold future privileges from a camper until he/she is able to control his/her behavior.


Wander Wisconsin believes that while there need to be clear and meaningful consequences for campers when rules are broken or limits are tested, some strategies are not acceptable. The following are prohibited:

1. Humiliating or frightening campers.

2. Corporal punishment (no spanking, hitting, shaking, etc.).

3. Verbal abuse or any derogatory remarks made about a camper or his/her family.

4. Tying, binding, or enclosing campers in small confined spaces as punishment.

5. The withholding of meals or snacks, or remarks alluding to such actions.


Disciplinary options which will be used when other interventions have been unsuccessful are:

1. Short-term suspension from the camp program.

2. Reduction or change in attendance or assignment to another staff person or program.

3. Termination.


Wander Wisconsin defines three levels of behavior with potential consequences for the camper:

1. Behavior which interferes with the operation of the camp program. (Program rules and penalties or program adjustment.)

2. Serious and/or illegal misconduct which is not health or life threatening. (Program adjustment or suspension.)

3. Serious and/or illegal misconduct that is health and life threatening. (Suspension or possible termination.)

Behavior which interferes with the operation of the program.
Camp staff will establish rules and procedures for behaviors that interfere with the operation of the program with the campers on the first day of every trip. These should be published and available to parents and enrolled campers. Camp rules must be consistent at all times with the Wander Wisconsin discipline policy. Behaviors which can be addressed by camp rules and procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Littering - Throwing of paper, trash, or other materials.

2. Profanity - Swearing, cursing, or making obscene gestures.

3. Verbal Abuse - Willfully intimidating, insulting, or in any other manner verbally abusing other campers or staff.

4. Disruption - Acting in a disorderly manner that disrupts the program.

5. Throwing hard objects or missiles.

Serious and/or illegal conduct that is not life or health-threatening.
Behaviors listed below may be subject to suspension from the program for a designated period.

1. Repeated Verbal Abuse - Profane or obscene language, written or verbal, that continues to be repeated after corrective strategies have failed.

2. Extortion/Coercion - Obtaining or attempting to obtain money or property from an unwilling person or forcing an individual to act by either physical force or intimidation (threat).

3. Hitting another camper.

4. Threats to camp staff.

5. Harassment - Sexual, physical, racial, or verbal.

6. Vandalism - Destruction or defacing of Wander Wisconsin property, staff property, or equipment. The parents of children willfully destroying property belonging to other children, Wander Wisconsin, the building housing the campers or any community site being visited on an Wander Wisconsin-sponsored trip will be required to pay replacement costs for the item(s) damaged.

7. Alcohol and Other Drugs - Possession of or being under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, drug, or other controlled substance.

8. Gang activity.

9. Theft - Stealing the money or property of another.

10. Use of tobacco or possessing any tobacco product on school property.

Serious and/or illegal misconduct that is health and life-threatening.

Behaviors listed below may be subject to termination.
1. Volatile Acts - Disruption of the camp program by the use of violence, force, coercion, threat, or disorderly conduct.

2. Illegal or inappropriate conduct - Offenses which constitute criminal conduct under federal, state, or city laws and which are life or health threatening.

3. Sexual assault.

4. Arson and false alarms - Setting fire, or attempting to set fire, or activating a school’s fire alarm system, or calling 911.

5. Bringing a weapon to the program or threatening to use a weapon (e.g., penknives are classified as a weapon).

6. All “Jackknives” will be held by staff and used only under direct adult supervision.

7. Selling, delivering or possessing controlled substances with the intent to deliver.

8. Intentional use of force that is unprovoked against a staff member.

9. Fighting or other acts of violence.

Civil Disturbance Policy
Violent situations may flare up with little advance notice. Individuals trained in negotiations may be needed to cope with the situation. If a potential problem develops which requires assistance, a staff member should call the local enforcement agency immediately and communicate the problem to the dispatcher, giving all the details relating to the situation.

Potential Situations
1. Threatening phone caller.
2. Possession or use of firearm or other weapons.
3. Verbal or physical assaults upon staff members or campers.
4. Fighting, extortion or theft.
5. Disruption of camp program activities.
6. Any behavior which might jeopardize the safety of others.

Preventive Measures
1. Visitors or volunteers.
a. Have staff members question anyone they do not know who enters the program area.
b.-Have all volunteers and anyone else coming into the program wear name tags.

2. Have a secret code such as a password or phrase known by all staff members so that, when a potential crisis arises, the rest of the staff can be made aware of the danger without scaring the campers.

3. Reduce entry to the camp site as much as possible.

4. Notify the Director immediately when any stranger or individual is seen loitering around a campsite or any other Wander Wisconsin program area.

5. Keep emergency numbers posted by the phone. Know where there is an alternate telephone if necessary.

6. Work closely with the park staff and Wander Wisconsin administration to identify problems and obtain their assistance in resolving issues.

Guidelines for Confronting Problem Situations
1. Try to remain as calm as possible.

2. Staff members should identify self to individual.

3. If individual will not give his or her name, try to remember his or her description, mannerisms, etc., to aid later identification. However, do not challenge or force a physical confrontation.

4. Ask individual to accompany you away from the campers. Tell the individual that you will discuss the situation away from the campers.

5. Don’t argue with the individual. If you are enforcing program policy, there is obviously no need for argument.

6. All staff members should be alert for the safety of the
campers.

Checklist for Developing Alert System
1. Define the responsibilities of individuals and describe activation procedures. This plan is to be written and practiced.

2. List key telephone numbers for emergency assistance organizations.

3. Describe the warning signal used to alert the staff to potential situations.

4. Describe an alternate warning system to be used if the primary system fails.

5. Differentiate warning signals that identify specific threats or require specific response actions.

6. Develop guidelines for warning any hearing impaired or non-English speaking staff or campers.

7. Request emergency assistance from local agencies (fire, police, medical, etc.) to assist in isolating or localizing the disturbance.

8. Warn local enforcement agencies of on-site situations which might spread to outside areas and require more assistance.

9. Define procedures for notifying Wander Wisconsin administrators or requesting off-site Wander Wisconsin assistance in the event of an emergency; for example, notification of parents or need for additional staff.

10. Routinely check the alerting system to insure that it is functioning properly.