Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 208 - RULES RELATING TO BOYS, GIRLS, BOYS AND GIRLS, DAY CAMPS AND PRIMITIVE AND TRIP CAMPING
Section 144-208-6 - GENERAL STAFF REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: 10 ME Code Rules ยง 144-208-6

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

6.A.1. Except as provided in 6.A.1.a. , the camp director shall be at least 25 years of age. C

6.A.1.a. A day camp director shall be at least 21 years of age. C

6.A.1.b. The camp director shall have 16 weeks of administrative or supervisory experience in an organized camp. S

6.A.2. Staff selection, orientation, training, and supervising procedures should promote the employment of emotionally well adjusted, mature, and responsible counselors. C

6.A.3. Precautions shall be taken to avoid the employment or volunteer selection of persons who have been convicted of a sexual offense. C

6.A.3.a. Such precautions shall include the use of a written employment application form that requires the applicant to provide the following:
(1) Name, address, telephone number;

(2) employment history;

(3) name and address of three references;

(4) sexual criminal history; and

(5) permission for a background check. For the purpose of meeting this requirement the collection of Social Security numbers must be on a voluntary basis. C

6.A.3.b. Prior to hiring any employee, or selecting any volunteer, the youth camp should;
(1) reviewthe employment application,

(2) check references,

(3) interview the applicant, and

(4) review the National Sex Offender Public Registry of the US Department of Justice or other relevant available public record information.

6.A.4. Any documentation prepared in accordance with 6.A.3.a. and b. shall be available for review by the Department upon request. NC

6.A.5. Abuse and neglect as defined in 22 MRSA § 4002.1 is prohibited. C

6.A.6. Any suspected or confirmed abuse or neglect of campers shall be reported to the operator or designee immediately. C

6.A.6.a. The operator or designee shall immediately report these allegations to the Department. NC

6.A.7. A youth camp shall have a written statement of personnel policies and practices. Staff shall be informed of these policies and practices and of their specific duties. NC

6.A.8. The youth camp shall conduct and document pre-season orientation and training for the staff. This orientation and training shall include: NC

6.A.8.a. Verbal or printed informational materials and/or instructions regarding policies that include but are not limited to: NC

6.A.8.a.1 Personnel policies and practices. NC

6.A.8.a.2. Job description and responsibilities. NC

6.A.8.a.3. Disciplinary action policies. NC

6.A.8.a.4. Sexual harassment policies. NC

6.A.8.a.5. Emergency first aid procedures. C

6.A.8.a.6. Emergency response and procedures as specified under 8.A.1.a. and 8.A.1.c. of these rules. C

6.A.9. The operator or designee shall maintain on file in the camp office, copies of all current staff certifications and other qualifications. NC

6.A.10. At least 80% of the counselors and program staff required to meet the ratios in 6.A.12. should be 18 years and older. This section does not apply to day camps. S

6.A.11. All junior counselors, counselors and program staff required to meet the ratios in 6.A.12. who are under 18 years of age shall be at least two (2) years older than the camper group with which they are working. At no time shall a junior counselor be less than 15 years of age. S

6.A.12. The following ratios of counselors to campers shall be used: C

Ages Served Counselor Camper
6 years and under 1 to 5
7-8 years 1 to 6
9-14 years 1to8
15-18 years1 to 10
19 years and over 1 to 20

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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