Chaperone Guidelines

Adult chaperones at Episcopal Appalachian Ministries work camps are expected to be full participants in work camp activities and to subscribe to the work camp covenant. They are responsible for the seeing that their young people understand the work camp covenant. They are also encouraged to check on the well-being of their young people during the work camp experience.

Most of the giving of assignments and any disciplining that may need to be done is the responsibility of the EAM work camp staff. Any disciplinary action necessary will be done only in consultation with the adult chaperone. The ultimate oversight of the work camp is the responsibility of the work camp director and problems or complaints should be taken to him/her. There will be no physical punishment.

All work campers, however, should feel free to remind any other work camper, adult or youth, of safety rules and norms of conduct. These instances, if serious, should also be reported to the work camp director. 

Chaperones are also expected to have had whatever type and level of sexual conduct training is required by their parish and/or diocese to work with youth.

Adults should not be alone in non-public places with young people under the age of 18 – this includes the bunk houses and automobiles. If counseling needs to be done in private, it should be done in a place that is conducive to private conversation but is still public enough to have both parties in view of others, such as in a remote portion of one of the large public rooms or in a remote spot in the yard which is still in sight of other people.

There may be times when the chaperone is also asked to be the responsible adult at a work site. In that instance, he or she is responsible for the safety and well-being of the group on-site. Again, this is done in conjunction with and in consultation and under the direction of the work camp director.