A D V E N T I S T R I S K M A N A G E M E N T, I N C .
SOLUTIONS
Providing Solutions to Minimize Risks
MAY 2010 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 5
Inspiration
"The heavens declare
the glory of God; the
skies proclaim the
work of his hands."
Psalms 19:1
Motivation
"What I like about
camping is you can
get really dirty. Either
you're all by yourself, so
no one else sees you, or
everyone you're with is
just as dirty as you are,
so nobody cares. "
Anonymous Former Boy Scout
www.adventistrisk.org
Are You Ready
For Camp This Summer?
T
he camp season is coming soon and
children are excited as parents are
making plans for them to attend. My
daughter and her friends had such a great
experience at camp last year that they want to
repeat it again this summer. Parents and camp
organizers have feelings of satisfaction and
accomplishment when children can grow and
learn in a safe camp setting and then return
home without incident. articles in the search caught my attention. It
This issue of Solutions is dedicated
to Camp Safety. You have probably read
about this topic before, but a review is
always helpful to keep the safety of campers
a priority. David Rawson’s article titled,
“Preparing Your Child for Summer Camp.”
discusses the perfect recipe for safety
which includes adding two parts of risk
management. He also shares a checklist
of ideas on how to ensure a positive camp
experience for every child.
Being prepared for emergency
situations or severe weather events makes
navigating those times much easier. Camp
safety and preparedness are no different. As
Rawson points out, items such as properly
completed medical forms, appropriate
clothing, insect repellants, etc., are all part
of camp preparedness.
For camp organizers, the feature article
"Camp Safety" by Joshua Nieblas is a must
read. Nieblas discusses the impact of
accreditation on insurance liability rates.
He ask the question, “Is your camp AACP
Certified?” He also explores camp violence,
Page 2 Page 4
Camp Safety Preparing Your Child
for Summer Camp
the growing trend in eXtreme sports, camp
security and monitoring who is coming and
going from the camp. These are necessary
preparations to provide campers a safe
environment as well as a fun activity.
While thinking about camp safety, I
decided to do a Web search and see how
many results I would get. My browser
revealed 39.5 million search results! One
was about a swimming accident that claimed
the life of an 18-year-old camper. I could
only imagine the family’s pain from the loss.
I asked myself, “What went wrong?” “What
camp safety steps might have been missed?”
We may never know, but what we do know
is that one accident like this is one too many!
Although we can’t take away all risk,
we can minimize it by seriously addressing
all aspects of camp safety. This, in turn,
provides an enjoyable camping
experience for the Lord’s
special jewels–our
children.  ■
Sharon M. Mabena,
CPA, CIA, a vice
president of
Adventist Risk
Management,
Inc. prepared
this article.
Page 6 Page 7
Pain: Causes Lifelines
and Treatment
FEATURE
CampSafety
W
ith summer camp season
just around the corner and
staff hiring underway, the
attention of camp directors is turning
to the high profile components of camp
operation – staff training, programming,
maintenance, and safety.
The obvious areas of any camp safety
checklist include equipment, camper
and staff housing, and vehicles. Other
areas that should be included are camp
certification, camp violence, eXtreme
sports, and security and camp access.
Camp Certification
Certification plays an important role
in any overall camp program. It reassures
parents that professionalism, safety, and
competence are important to camp
leadership. Certified camps also qualify
for lower General Liability rates.
Adventist Risk Management
(ARM) recommends that camps receive
accreditation from the American Camp
Association (ACA), which requires camps
to comply with industry accepted and
government recognized standards.
2 SOLUTIONS • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc.
The Association of Adventist
Camping Professionals (AACP),
established by the North American
Division, also recommends certification
standards for camp staff professionals,
many of which are adopted from ACA.
Camp Violence
Today, camp administrators and
staff must be more attuned to warning
signs of violent behavior that may be
simmering among campers.
Camp violence is not just physical
abuse but is any act in which a person is
threatened, abused, intimidated, bullied
or assaulted while at camp. Accord-
ing to Carol Hanover of the American
Camp Association, violence includes but
is not limited to:
yy threatening behavior - shaking fists,
destroying property, or throwing
objects.
yy verbal or written threats - any
expression of an intent to cause harm.
yy harassment - any behavior that
demeans, embarrasses, humiliates,
annoys, alarms, or verbally abuses a
person and that is known to be or
would be expected to be unwelcome.
yy verbal abuse - swearing, insults, or
condescending language.
yy physical attacks - hitting, shoving,
pushing, or kicking.
yy other more serious types of potential
violence - pranks, arguments,
vandalism, sabotage, theft, rape,
arson, murder, and property damage.
Campers, staff, administrators,
and parents are responsible to help
prevent and control camp violence. Also,
according to Hanover, several steps can
be taken in order to be proactive in
managing the risk of violence at camp.
Camp directors and management should:
yy Develop a formal policy statement(s)
including a "zero tolerance" policy
for illegal possession of weapons,
alcohol, or drugs.
yy Define what you mean by camp
violence in precise, clear language
and communicate this and the
camp's policies and procedures to all
campers, staff and parents.
yy Establish a system for documenting
violent incidents at camp.
yy Establish a violence assessment team
to conduct formal investigations
of incidents reported using a
predetermined outline of procedures.
yy Create a violence prevention/response
plan. This plan must be consistent
with federal, state, and local laws.
Everyone should know what to do in
the event of an emergency.
yy Develop procedures and
responsibilities for immediate violent
crisis at camp.
yy Develop written rules of conduct
applied in a nondiscriminatory
manner.
 yy Identify the early warning signs of
potentially violent behaviors and
procedures for identifying children
who exhibit these signs (See below).
yy Precisely state the consequences
of violence at camp, ensuring that
consequences are commensurate with
the offense.
yy Encourage reporting of all violent
incidents to local law enforcement.
yy Train all staff and administrators
in the violence prevention and
response plan. This training
should include, but not be limited
to, effective prevention plans,
intervention strategies, and a crisis-
intervention plan.
yy Document, document, document.
Although no single sign can predict
violent behavior, staff should be trained to
notice signs of social withdrawal, isolation,
feelings of rejection, being picked on, and
uncontrolled anger. If violence occurs,
take quick and swift action, including
notifying local law enforcement.
eXtreme Sports
The popularity and growth of
eXtreme sports is increasing the demand
for activities such as skateboarding,
BMX bikes, go-carts, rappelling, rock
climbing and ropes courses to be offered.
Although a sport may be extreme, this
doesn't preclude it from being part of
a camp program. A full range of sports
that will both engage and excite campers
can be offered as long as appropriate
safety measures, fully trained staff, and
action plans for any possible injury
scenarios are in place.
The International Pathfinder
camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a
recent example of implementation of
eXtreme sports in a public setting. Prior to
the start of the camporee, John Dougan,
ARM Associate Director of Risk Control,
and I were encouraged during a site
inspection to see that safety was a top
priority among the Camporee staff.
If a camp is short-staffed or budgets
have to be cut to keep the camp open,
no compromise should be made in the
area of safety. Choose to provide the best
equipment possible to staff and campers.
Have a written plan for all equipment
to be inspected regularly and repaired or
replaced in a timely manner.
A minimum of no less than one
week of training should be required
of all staff, prior to the opening of
camp. This training should include the
importance of being safety conscious
without impacting the “fun” factor
of the activity and the perception of
risk. Staff should also receive regular
CPR and AED certification, as well as
specialized response training for those
who are working with the eXtreme
sports program.
Open communication between the
camp director and his/her staff is another
form of risk management. Accident
prevention is increased when staff
members are vigilant about safety hazards
and report them immediately. Accident
investigation should be used to identify
patterns and risks, which may guide
prevention efforts in the future.
Security
Unique security issues often
are a part of the makeup of camp
safety. These include large open areas,
surrounded by woods; uncontrolled
access to outsiders and possible slow
response times of emergency personnel
or law enforcement because of a camp's
remote or rural location.
Camp security and safety begin
at the front gate or entrance. Camp
S O LU T I O N S • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc.
administration should be aware at all times
of anyone entering or leaving the camp.
This can be accomplished with a staff
member assigned to gate duty or by using
a security camera, which is monitored in
the main administrative office.
When activities are widespread
across a camp setting, a reliable means of
communication for use in an emergency
must be established.
Staff should have ongoing training
during the camp season. Use this time
to identify security and safety issues and
to refresh points that you made during
pre-camp training. Various tools for this
are available from the ACA, AACP, and
Adventist Risk Management.
Camp directors should establish
a working relationship with local law
enforcement, fire department and rescue
personnel. Invite them to tour the camp,
examine camp safety plans and participate
in any camp safety drills.
Most camp programs have a weekly
turnover of campers. When you provide
a safety-training program for them at
the beginning of their camp experience,
they can become a part of the team
effort in making sure camp is safe and
fun for everyone.
Summer camp is a rewarding
experience for campers and staff alike.
With appropriate safety precautions in
place, everyone can focus on the experience
rather than responding to accidents that
could have been prevented. ■
Josh Nieblas, Field Service Representative for
Adventist Risk Management, Inc. prepared this article.
Credits
Carol Hanover, American Camp Association
http://www.acacamps.org/staff/safety/
cm/005cpsaf.php
3
FORESIGHT

Preparing Your Child

For Summer Camp - A Checklist ✔
I
t’s May, and you’re in the home stretch of another school year. Protection from Sun and Heat – Sunscreen with a high
Your children are already making plans to meet friends and SPF to protect against sunburn, and water or an equivalent drink
share the adventure of another “Summer Camp.” As a parent, for protection against dehydration on hot summer days.
before you succumb to the routine nature of the yearly cycle, Proper conditioning – Many programs consist of a
take a moment to reflect on the inherent risks your child will regimen of heavy physical activity. These activities should be
face in attending this year's camping adventure. Making plans noted and your child should be conditioned in advance to
to preclude loss and provide protection will help to make the participate. Poor conditioning or other physical limitations can
outcome a special experience in your child’s life. be dangerous to a child’s well being if they are not prepared for
NASA invests countless millions of dollars to preclude loss in advance.
in their space program. Every detail is put under the microscope Protect against insects – The American Academy of
in the hope of avoiding loss of life. The Chief of Safety and Pediatrics recommends insect repellents with DEET which are
Mission Assurance offers this “Recipe for Safety”; safe to use on children as young as two months old. In addition;
yy 1 part shared values yy Use loose fitting, long sleeve clothing that doesn’t include
yy 1 part organizational structure bright colors.
yy 1 part requirements yy Encourage the use of shoes and socks. Avoid sandals.
yy 2 parts risk management yy Avoid scented soaps that can attract bugs.
yy A pinch of luck Easing Homesickness – Many young people are forced home
Based on this formula simply because they have become hopelessly homesick. The
the camp should provide manifestations of this can be either physical and/or emotional.
the environment Simple antidotes to help reduce the likelihood of this condition
of shared values, are as follows:
organizational structure, yy Add a personal note and/or a family picture in the luggage.
and requirements. You yy A personal care package will also be appreciated; namely,
can provide important something special that the child likes to eat.
elements of “risk By just taking a few preventive steps, the summer camp
management” that experience can be both memorable and safe. Remember:
will make your child’s NASA recommends an organization of shared values, and
experience memorable your conference youth camp strives to provide an environment
and safe. Using an itemized pre-camp checklist can improve the of shared values.
likelihood of a successful outcome. NASA recommends organizational structure, again your camp
Medical form submitted and signed by your personal has developed a structure of operation that will enhance the camp
physician – This should detail any physical concerns regarding experience and provide a safe environment for your child.
camp activities. The form should include the following; NASA recommends requirements of operation, and your
yy Allergies to foods, medications, or plants camp activities director has outlined a program that provides a
yy An insurance number for quick reference safe and enjoyable experience.
yy Medical history NASA recommends two parts risk management, and this
Medicine in original containers – These medications is a collaborative effort between camp operations, camp staff,
should be noted on the medical form with notes on the time and and your pre-camp efforts to protect your child and make this
dosage to be given. summers camp experience something special.
Appropriate Clothing – such as: This is a project worthy of your best effort. Plan to make this
yy Warm clothing for cool evenings summer an experience to remember.  ■
yy Rainwear for damp conditions
yy Sturdy shoes for hiking David B. Rawson, director of Field Services for Adventist Risk Management, Inc.,
yy A footlocker for security prepared this article.
yy A daypack for hiking

4 SOLUTIONS • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

 ARM RESOURCES
Publisher
Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Executive Publisher
Arthur F. Blinci, ARM, EMBA

Editor
Paula L. Webber

Legal Consultant

For more information on J. Victor Elliott, Esq.

Layout/Design/Webmaster
ARM resources, please Armand Davila

visit our website at: Graphic Designer

Erica St. Louis
www.adventistrisk.org Copy Editor
Deena Wagner

Illustrator

Call: John J. Dougan

Communication Assistant
1-888-276-4732 Junica Voilquin

or email:
healthcare@ Solutions (ISSN 1528-7076) is
published monthly by Adventist

adventistrisk.org Risk Management, Inc.,

12501 Old Columbia Pike,
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600;
phone: 301-680-6930;
fax: 301-680-6828; e-mail:
armcorpcomm@adventistrisk.org;
Web site: www.adventistrisk.org.

Risky Business By John J. Dougan, ARM, ALCM

For subscription changes
please send an e-mail to:
armcorpcomm@adventistrisk.org

Back issues are available while

supplies last. We also welcome
your comments and suggestions.
Address all correspondence and
inquiries to ARM’s Corporate
Communication department.

“Like I told you, we

Texts credited to NIV are from the
Holy Bible, New International Version.
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984,

don't have many International Bible Society. Used

by permission of Zondervan Bible

mosquitoes here at Publishers.

©2010 Adventist Risk

camp, but the ones we Management, Inc.

do have are really big!”

S O LU T I O N S • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc. 5

HEALTH ALERT!
Health Tip of the Month
PAIN
A
survey found that 42 percent of
adults in the U.S. experience pain
daily and 89 percent monthly.
Data shows that in a 90-day period,
nearly 33 percent experience pain from
migraine, head-neck, low back, and jaw.
yy Nearly half of all Americans see a
physician with a primary complaint
of pain each year. One in 10
Americans has had regular pain for
more than a year.
yy Fifty percent of adults who live
independently and 75 percent who
live in a care facility suffer from
persistent pain. Studies estimate that
nearly 50 percent of children ages 10-
18 will suffer from a pain condition
that lasts three months or longer.
yy Psychological factors such as
depression and anxiety can
worsen pain.
Acute Pain
Symptoms of acute pain can last
hours, days or weeks. It usually goes away
as the body heals.
yy Acute pain is commonly associated
with tissue injury, inflammation,
surgical procedure, childbirth, and
brief disease process.
Chronic Pain
This type of pain lasts at least six
months after the body has healed. Along
with discomfort, chronic pain can cause
low self-esteem, depression and anger.
Pain signals can keep firing in the
nervous system for months to years.
There may be an initial cause such as
a serious infection or there may be an
ongoing cause of pain such as arthritis.
6 SOLUTIONS • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc.
Lifestyle changes are an important
part of treatment. Getting regular sleep
at night and not taking daytime naps can
help. Also, smokers have more pain than
nonsmokers. Psychotherapy, relaxation
techniques, and behavior modification
may be employed to treat chronic pain.
Clinical investigators have tested
chronic pain patients and found that
they often have lower- than normal
levels of endorphins in their spinal
fluid. Experiments have shown that
there are higher levels of endorphins in
cerebrospinal fluid following acupuncture.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic Pain is believed to be
caused by changes in the nervous system
that sustain pain even after an injury
heals. In most cases, the injury that starts
the pain involves the peripheral nerves or
the central nervous system itself.
yy This type of pain can be associated
with trauma or with different types of
diseases such as diabetes. Post-stroke
pain and shingles are examples of the
many neuropathic pain syndromes.
yy Neuropathic pain is described as
stabbing, burning or severe. It may
be felt traveling along the nerve path
from the spine down to the arms/
hand or legs/feet.
Psychogenic Pain
Certain mental and emotional
problems can cause, increase, or prolong
pain. Headaches, stomach pains, and back
pain are some of the most common types
of psychogenic pain.
The diagnosis of psychogenic pain
is made when organic (related to or
affecting a bodily organ) causes of pain
are ruled out. A person with a pain
disorder will complain of pain that does
not match his or her symptoms.
According to experts, the types of
pain that shouldn’t be ignored because
they require prompt medical attention
are: worst headache of your life; pain
or discomfort in the chest, throat, jaw,
shoulder, arm or abdomen; pain in the
lower back or between shoulder blades;
severe abdominal pain; calf pain; and
burning feet or legs. ■
Compiled by Jina Kim, MPH, Wellness Coordinator for
Adventist Risk Management, Inc.
Sources:
National Pain Foundation, JAMA, American
Academy of Family Physicians, National Institute of
Neurological Disorders & Stroke, WebMD, Cleveland
Clinic, Merck Manual, Spine Health, American Pain
Society, Department of Pain Medicine - Albert
Einstein College of Medicine, and Washington
and Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals.
The Health Tip is for educational purposes
only. For additional information, consult your
physician. Please feel free to copy and distribute
this health resource.
 B ro u g ht to yo u by :
w w w.adventistr isk .org/Wellness/

Lifelines
The Skinny on Casual Fridays according to an Australian study. Those Can I Get a Volunteer?
People have an 8 percent increase in individuals with the highest levels of A survey of retirees revealed that
physical activity on workdays when they computer use were 1.5 times more likely after four years those who volunteered
wear casual clothing versus those days to be overweight and 2.5 times more likely their time for altruistic activities
when they wear conventional business to be obese than people who don’t use a showed a 14
attire. The more comfortable people are, computer at all. percent lower
the more they move. One study suggests Driving Under the Influence…of death rate than
that if employees wore casual clothing Sleepiness those who
every day, the additional calories burned chose not to
Of course drinking and driving is
could potentially offset average weight volunteer. ■
dangerous, but did you know that driving
gain of about two pounds a year.1
while drowsy is too? Sixty percent of This article was
Talk it Out drivers have driven while feeling drowsy. provided by
When struggling with clinical Seventy percent of drivers have fallen Vibrant Life.
depression, many people feel the only asleep at the wheel.
solution is medication. However, research Here are some signs that it is time to Sources:
has found that talk therapy can sometimes pull off the road and rest3: 1. University of
be just as effective as medication. Talk yy Difficulty focusing, frequent Wisconsin La
therapy with a trained professional tends blinking, or heavy eyelids. Crosse
to bring more lasting recovery and fewer yy Daydreaming; wandering or 2. Southern Medical
relapses than medication, helps people disconnected thoughts. Center News
address the interpersonal problems yy Trouble remembering the last 3. National Sleep
contributing to their sadness, and does not few miles driven; missing exits or Foundation
have the side effects of medication.2 traffic signs.
A Pastime That Packs on the Pounds yy Yawning repeatedly or rubbing
your eyes.
It is not just what you eat that packs
yy Drifting from your lane, tailgating,
on the pounds, it’s also your pastimes.
or hitting a shoulder rumble strip.
People who spend more time in front
yy Feeling restless and irritable.
of computers have a higher obesity risk,

TRY THIS RECIPE OUT!

Sauce: Directions:
Tan Tan Noodles 2 tablespoons peanut butter 1. Bring lightly salted water to a boil and
This flavorful and interesting noodle recipe gives 2 tablespoons rice vinegar cook soba noodles according to package
you a very quick and easy way to enjoy the health instructions.
1 ½ tablespoons tamari
benefits of buckwheat. 2. While water is coming to a boil, blend sauce
1 tablespoon honey
Prep and cooking time: 15 minutes ingredients together in a blender. Mince
2 medium cloves garlic, chopped the scallion.
Ingredients: 2 ½ tablespoons minced or grated fresh ginger
3. Drain noodles, and toss with sauce and scallion.
¼ pound soba noodles 2 tablespoons water
Serves 4 as a side dish.
½ cup minced scallion Pinch of cayenne to taste
Salt and white pepper to taste This recipe is provided by Whole Foods.

S O LU T I O N S • May 2010 • Adventist Risk Management, Inc. 7

 DETR

SEPTEMBER 12 - 15, 2010

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

For more information about this year's

Opening Session Speaker Conference, our Heritage Tour and
to register, visit us today at
Sunday September 12th, 5pm
www.adventistrisk.org
Robert Fulghum, Author or call 301-680-6930
"All I Really Needed to Know
I Learned in Kindergarten"