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Our Commitment to Child Safety

KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE

We are excited to have your children spend time in our programs, be it at Camp, School Age Childcare or at the Exeter Branch, we work to ensure that your children have a safe, fun filled experience.

As you know, child safety and protection is our number one priority. Our goal is to help educate parents and children about how to be safe from child abuse in any environment with the skills they learn in our program. Our team is trained in comprehensive and innovative practices around child safety to ensure your children are safe in our care. The trust that you, as parents and guardians, place in us to care for your children is important to us and we do not take that trust for granted.

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We urge you to talk to your children regularly about their experiences at our Y, Camp and our programs. Ask them about their counselors, instructors, and other staff. If, as a result, there is ever a concern regarding the safety and protection of your child, please notify us immediately. If you would like to report a concern anonymously, you can use the SDYMCA Reporting Page. Otherwise, you can reach out to your Camp Director, School Age Childcare Director, or Membership Director, or the CEO. Throughout the year we will be offering educational opportunities regarding child safety, and we encourage you to join us. Together, we can keep our children safe.

KNOW, SEE, RESPOND

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OUR COMMITMENT TO HIRING

  • We believe that our greatest asset is our staff members, and nothing requires more effort than finding the correct fit to help deliver our mission

  • Staff members undergo an in-depth 50+ hour training program prior to summer camp

  • Our general training program is quite extensive, including SDYMC Camp Lincoln structure & culture, emergency procedures, operating procedures, ages and stages of youth development, abuse prevention, and so much more

  • In addition to our general training program, Camp Lincoln staff receive department specific training. This is broad and includes the following:

    • Water Safety Instructors (WSI) for Waterfront Directors

    • American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification for guards at Camp Lincoln

    • US Archery Instructor Training

    • Small Crafts Boating Training

    • Transportations training, including behind the wheel training for anyone operating a vehicle

    • Serve Safe Certification & Training for our Food Service Staff

    • Specific training for staff overseeing specialized activities such as Ropes Course, Mountain Biking or the Pottery Program

  • We follow best practices for screening, hiring and onboarding staff members. Potential staff complete applications and then undergo interviews with year-round staff members

  • Before candidates are hired, we complete reference checks and verify previous employment. Candidates then undergo an in-depth background check which consists of a Criminal Background Check, Check of the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), and a Central Registry Check from the state of NH

 

OUR COMMITMENT TO TRAINING

  • ​​Staff members undergo an in-depth 50+ hour training program prior to summer camp

  • Our general training program is quite extensive, including SDYMC Camp Lincoln structure & culture, emergency procedures, operating procedures, ages and stages of youth development, abuse prevention, and so much more

  • In addition to our general training program, Camp Lincoln staff receive department specific training. This is broad and includes the following:

  • Water Safety Instructors (WSI) for Waterfront Directors

  • American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification for guards at Camp Lincoln.

  • US Archery Instructor Training

  • Small Crafts Boating Training

  • Transportations training, including behind the wheel training for anyone operating a vehicle.

  • Serve Safe Certification & Training for our Food Service Staff

  • Specific training for staff overseeing specialized activities such as Ropes Course, Mountain Biking or the Pottery Program.

 

For more information, for you or your children, please visit these websites for additional resources:
 

  • 5 Days of Action:  This page has a variety of resources for parents from on-line safety to talking with your children. It also links to specific resources in your state.

     


 

Video Resources for Parents/Guardians are provided by Praesidium, Inc.

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Child Protection Services

The Division for Children, Youth and Family's (DCYF) Child Protection Bureau works to protect children from abuse and neglect. 

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Intake​

  • A toll-free number: 800-894-5533 (in-state only), or 603-271-6562 (in or out of state), is staffed 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

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