An effective camp safety system must be based on known facts related to sexual abuse and sexual abusers. The foundation of an effective system includes effective training of staff members and volunteers, such that staff members have‘ eyes to see and ears to hear’ the grooming behaviors used by abusers. Effective training includes crucial information regarding abuser characteristics and the abuser’ s grooming process; the process by which an abuser selects and prepares a child for inappropriate sexual touch. As well, effective training describes common grooming behaviors, warning signs of abuse, and reporting responsibilities. With good training, and policies that address common grooming behaviors, camp employees and volunteers are better equipped to reduce the risk of sexual abuse at camp. At the same time, effective training required as part of the onboarding process, before an applicant arrives at camp, communicates that protective barriers have been raised, giving those with the wrong motive an opportunity to‘ opt out’ of the program.
Conversations with children before attending camp
Parents must evaluate camp safety measures meant to address sexual abuse, but it’ s also important for parents to communicate with their kids before they head off to camp. Abusers groom a child for abuse, and children who are naïve or uninformed become easy targets for the abuser. As parents, we must teach our children that there are individuals who have the wrong motive when they touch, and that no one should touch them in places that a bathing suit covers. If such a touch does occur, teach your child to tell you or another trusted adult immediately. Developmentally appropriate conversations about sex, using real names of body parts, are an important aspect of sexual development and should occur early and often. Even a very young child can learn that she has the right to determine with whom she is physically affectionate, and some touches, in some areas, are meant for adults only, not for children. These conversations should be natural and normal, using real-life situations. When our daughter was 3, we adopted a cat. Not long after, to our surprise, she had kittens. This provided a natural opportunity to talk about‘ mommy cats,’‘ daddy cats’ and‘ where kittens come from.’ Honest discussions with children about their bodies, comfortable touch, and the right to say NO, can protect your child when you aren’ t present. These discussions, added to a parent’ s‘ due diligence’ in evaluating camp programs, can ensure a summer camp experience that’ s safe and fun for your child.
THE CAMPER PROTECTION WORKSHOP
MinistrySafe, in collaboration with Christian Camp and Conference Association, presents an instructional event providing cutting-edge resources to Christian camp leaders, allowing camps to‘ raise the bar’ and prevent child sexual abuse at CAMP.
INTRODUCTORY TRAINING: April 27, 2026 | 11 am – 12 pm CT
PRESENTERS: Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris Attorneys and Founders of MinistrySafe
FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION!
Support @ MinistrySafe. com 833-737-SAFE( 7233)
SCAN TO REGISTER
Kimberlee Norris and Gregory Love are partners in the Fort Worth, Texas law firm of Love & Norris and founders of MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems, providing child sexual abuse expertise to ministries and child-serving organizations worldwide. After representing victims of child sexual abuse for more than two decades, Love and Norris saw recurring, predictable patterns in predatory behavior. MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems grew out of their desire to place proactive tools into the hands of ministry leaders.
Love and Norris teach the only graduate-level course focusing exclusively on Preventing Sexual Abuse in Ministry Contexts, as Visiting Faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary.
22 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | MARCH / APRIL 2026