Kanakuk Kamps

Application – All potential staff fill out an extensive four page application that describes past work history, references, personality strengths, character, spiritual beliefs, and athletic background.

Interview – All potential staff go through an exhaustive interview with one of our trained staff who ask each applicant in-depth questions regarding family history, social involvement, spiritual growth, moral beliefs, and coaching abilities. Our interviewers have been professionally trained by one of America's best staff interview firms to give them increased skills in screening an applicant who might endanger a child.

References / Background Checks – Each applicant is required to submit two written personal references/evaluations before being considered for a position. Also, each potential staff member is processed through multiple official background checks including the National Criminal Background Database, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the National Identity Confirmation.

Selection Process – Due to a tremendous amount of applicants each year, Kanakuk is able to be extremely selective in our summer staff hiring process. Our directors hand-pick each staff member for their passion, spiritual maturity, love for kids, and commitment to Kanakuk’s vision and mission.

Contract – All staff sign a contract agreeing to follow Kanakuk's policies and procedures throughout the duration of their employment.

Kanakuk Kamps has a well defined process to supervise Kampers and staff. This process helps to create a positive and healthy experience for your Kamper. The process consists of multiple layers of management oversight in all areas concerning safety, health and risk management.

Kamp operates day to day under a strict schedule of programs and activities with continuous supervision provided by our staff. Staff and Kampers receive training and orientation regarding appropriate and inappropriate behavior when interacting in Kamp. Kanakuk's supervision process directs each person to monitor the conduct of all persons in Kamp and to report any behavior which is not consistent with Kamp's code of conduct guidelines.

Full Time Staff – All of our full time summer staff receive extensive training throughout the year in the following areas

1. Risk Management
2. Crisis Management
3. Safety Policies & Procedures
4. Zero Tolerance Policies Regarding Abuse
5. Comprehensive Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention
6. Proper conduct:
   1. Proper conduct is communicated to staff in writing, verbally, and modeled in the lives of our leadership staff
   2. Staff to Kamper conduct is stressed during staff training. See Kanakuk Conduct Guidelines to learn more about specific policies and guidelines
   3. Specific policies regarding modesty and one-on-one meetings

Summer Staff – All summer staff receive training in the following areas:

1. Summer Staff receive training on Kanakuk policies and procedures prior to arrival of the campers
2. Comprehensive Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention
3. Certified Operator Instruction & Testing on all High Risk Activities
4. Proper conduct:
   1. Proper conduct is communicated to staff in writing, verbally and modeled in the lives of our leadership staff
   2. Staff to Kamper conduct is stressed during staff training. See Kanakuk Conduct Guidelines to learn more about specific policies and guidelines
   3. Specific policies regarding modesty and one-on-one meetings provide accountability and security
5. Reporting System

In addition, no less than six corporate safety teams evaluate and oversee all activities at our Kamps. Each Kamp is also staffed with a “safety officer” who provides oversight and enforcement of safety practices.

Kamper Orientation – To promote a positive and healthy Kamp experience, each Kamp conducts Kamper orientation talks that include the following topics:

1. Opening Day Safe & Secure Talk - In an age appropriate manner, all Kampers will be instructed on what kinds of visual, verbal, and physical conduct is appropriate and what kinds are inappropriate at Kamp. This includes staff to Kamper conduct, Kamper to Kamper conduct , and modesty & one-on-one policy.
2. Year-round Kamper contact - Godly relationships are an important part of the Kanakuk experience. We want to stay in contact with your family throughout the year in a way that respects your family and provides encouragement. We'll explain what your Kamper should expect in terms of continuing communication from Kamp.
3. Reporting System – At the beginning of every term, each Kamp will educate Kampers on the different methods available to report inappropriate conduct at Kamp. To view these options, please see Reporting.

A Parent's Role – Kanakuk is committed to doing everything it can to protect children. Research supports that the best defense against child abuse is an informed and empowered child. Parents continue to be the primary source of protection and are encouraged to take an active role in preparing their children. Kanakuk recommends that parents further educate themselves through the many good resources available and then have appropriate conversations with their children. Through the Kanakuk web site and e-mail correspondence, Kanakuk is committed to partner with parents in this endeavor by providing information and education on hiring, training, and reporting practices that we use to create a positive and healthy environment for each Kamper.

This summer, Kanakuk has implemented several new ways for staff, Kampers, or parents to report inappropriate conduct or concerns at Kamp. Some of the reporting systems in place are:

1. Kamp Director – We always encourage staff, Kampers, and parents to let the Kamp Director know of inappropriate conduct or concerns first. This allows for immediate action. In addition, our Staff are encouraged to hold each other accountable regarding all policies and guidelines.
2. Comment Box – Each Kamp will have a confidential "report box" to give staff or Kampers easy confidential empowerment to report any concerns. This box will be checked regularly.
3. Confidential Hotline – A toll free telephone number (877-509-3509) has been set up for parents and staff to report concerns. This confidential number is staffed by a third party firm and will report any concerns to Kanakuk Ministries.

Some additional resources available:

Talking to Children About Boundaries

How to Write Kids

Kanakuk Staff Year-round Kamper Contact Policies/Guidelines

Kanakuk Conduct Guidelines

Focus on the Family - Resources regarding Sexual Abuse