Alpine C.A.R.E.S.

Create

Alpine creates a transparent culture. There are no secrets at Alpine. If someone asks you to keep a secret, don’t. And tell someone. Alpine does not hide inappropriate behavior. Bullying will not be ignored, and disciplinary action will be taken. Allegations of abuse will be investigated. Admissions of past abuse, at home or at camp, will be reported to appropriate authorities, as required by law.

Our culture is based on Genesis 1. “So God created mankind in his own image.” Every person at Alpine, therefore, has dignity and worth. And our goal remains the same, paraphrased from Luke 2: That boys will “grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

Advocate

Advocate, meaning speak up for yourself, or the people around you, when you see something that doesn’t seem right. Working together is the only way to create a safe and nurturing community. We want to know about problems so we can help. If you are worried about something, sick or injured, tell your counselor. He’ll get you to see a nurse or doctor or someone you can talk to. If you are homesick, talk to your counselor or head counselor. Talking about it almost always helps. If a camper or staff member says or does something that makes you feel scared or threatened, tell an adult.

Parents, please partner with us in creating a safe environment. The most important abuse prevention is talking to your children. Talk to them about privacy, personal boundaries, and inappropriate behavior. Tell them to speak up if something is not right. And that’s anywhere, not just at camp.

Respect

At Alpine we respect each other’s privacy. We respect the rules of the community. We respect the differences in one another. At Alpine these are a few of the rules we live by:

• Staff are not allowed to be one-on-one with a camper in a private setting. Private conversations with campers are held in settings where other people can see you even if they can’t hear what you are saying. Alpine’s rule of thumb is to always be in a place where you can be easily interrupted.
• No hazing or initiation rites by campers or staff.
• Staff may never hit a child.
• Staff may never use abusive or derogatory language.
• Staff may not use corporal or physical punishments with any camper.
• Staff are trained to only touch a child with permission and on the shoulder, hand, or upper back.
• Staff are trained in the appropriate care taking of children.
• Staff understands that there is a clear power difference between them and their campers that must not be abused.
• Staff are not allowed to give back rubs, tickle or tease children. Pillow fights and wrestling matches lead to overstimulation and are not allowed.
• Campers are not allowed in on-site staff housing alone.
• Staff are trained to ask for help in stressful situations and seek supervisory assistance for a particularly difficult child.

Educate

Camper

Carter and Glenn Breazeale hold a meeting with the entire camp on each opening day of a summer session. The purpose is to welcome all to our camp community, and make introductions to our administrative, senior, and medical staffs. We want boys to get to know these wonderful people and feel free to reach out to them if they have a problem while at camp. We also communicate the guiding principles of Alpine and the rules we all agree to follow by being a part of this community. The rules shared under Respect are clearly passed along to all campers.

Staff

All Alpine staff receive an orientation on the culture and guidelines surrounding Camper and Staff protection. The directors make it abundantly clear that Alpine is not a place that will tolerate abuse of any kind. Open communication is encouraged throughout the summer. Directors train counselors to recognize stress in themselves and others. Staff are given freedom to seek help or intervention for themselves or others if they or someone else seem at risk. If any staff member observes concerning behavior on the part of a camper, counselor, or employee, they are to immediately report it. Alpine hires a camp minister each summer whose job is to serve and encourage staff.

All staff sign a contract agreeing to all of Alpine’s camper and staff protection policies. Copies of these contracts are available upon request. Additionally, a director meets with every counselor prior to the start of a session to review each of his campers’ needs individually. Parental goals and concerns are discussed at this time.

Screen

Alpine screens potential staff rigorously. Elements of the hiring process include, but are not limited to:

• An application asking for detailed information about their beliefs, their qualifications, and their past.
• A personal interview with one of the directors
• Verification of previous employment history
• Minimum of four reference checks. Mentors, teachers, youth leaders, and others are asked to fill out an extensive form covering the applicant’s gifts and abilities, as well as their fitness to care for children.
• Criminal background checks are performed annually on each staff member, full time, part time, or seasonal.
• A check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, or for residents of states that don’t participate nationally, a check of the state sexual offender registries of any state the applicant has resided, is completed annually for all staff members, full time, part time, or seasonal.

Copies of the Alpine CARES acronym are posted throughout camp to remind each of us of the importance of working together to foster a safe, transparent, God-honoring community.

The Alpine CARES program was written and developed by Glenn Breazeale for use at Alpine Camp. Glenn and his wife, Carter, are happy to speak with anyone about more details of this program.