The requirements for Residential/Group Home which pertain to
the care of children prescribed for residential care agencies shall be
followed. In addition, there shall be compliance with the following specific
requirements for wilderness programs.
Definition - A "wilderness program"
means a residential child care program which provides a variety of outdoor
activities in a wilderness environment. A wilderness treatment program offers
activities that are designed to improve the emotional and behavioral adjustment
of the resident participants. (A camp which provides short-term outdoor
recreational activities is not considered a wilderness program).
A.
Admission
Requirements:
Children under ten (10) years of age shall not be accepted
for care in a wilderness program.
Applicants shall be accepted without regard for race, color,
or national origin.
B.
Staffing Requirements:
1. Any staff member having full
responsibility for supervision of residents must be at least twenty-one (21)
years old.
2. The wilderness
program shall have at least one (1) regular staff member on duty for every five
(5) residents. There shall be a sufficient number of qualified staff to give
individual attention to each resident's physical and emotional needs at all
times. During special activities, the ratio may need to be increased.
3. Staff shall be located so that at no time
are residents out of sight and/or hearing of staff.
C.
Training
Requirements:
1.
Wilderness programs shall provide orientation for all new staff to include
demonstration of basic skills in proper site selection, appropriate outdoor
food preparation and use of tools. A new employee shall demonstrate these
skills for a period of one month under supervision before assuming primary
supervision of any resident.
2.
Written plans and procedures for meeting disasters and emergencies such as
fires and severe weather shall be on file. All staff members shall be trained
in the procedures for meeting disasters and emergencies.
3. Written plans and procedures for water
safety shall be on file. All staff members shall be trained in water safety and
in procedures for meeting water activity emergencies.
4. All staff shall be trained to administer
first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
D.
Physical
Standards:
1. A
wilderness program shall be established at a location where land is properly
drained.
2. The location shall
present no fire, health or safety hazards.
3. A tent used for sleeping purposes which
remains in one location for more than two weeks shall be provided with a floor
which is smooth, clean and in good repair.
4. Bathrooms/Showers - There shall be a
minimum of one showerhead per fifteen (15) persons. Showerheads shall be spaced
at least three (3) feet apart with a minimum of nine (9) square feet of floor
space per unit.
5. Sleeping
Facilities There shall be a separate bed, bunk or cot available for every
resident.
6. Adequate personal
storage space shall be available for each resident to separate his/her clothing
or personal belongings from belongings of other residents.
E.
Safety
Procedures:
1. Fire and
weather safety:
a. Fire warning and fire
fighting plans shall be developed which include training, briefing and drills
in:
i. Prevention of and actions to be taken
in case of fires in structures and outdoors
ii. The safe use of fires and stoves
iii. Regular inspection of fire fighting
equipment.
b. Weather
shall be treated with respect and frequent evaluation made or obtained and
acted upon. Particular care shall be taken to ensure the adequacy and
appropriateness of clothing and equipment.
2. Water Safety:
a. Prior to engaging in a water activity each
resident shall be classified according to swimming ability.
b. The program shall not permit a resident to
participate in a water activity requiring higher skills than the resident's
swimming classification, except during formal instruction.
c. A method such as the buddy system shall be
established and enforced during aquatic activities.
d. Lifesaving equipment shall be provided
during aquatic activities and shall be immediately accessible in case of an
emergency. Minimum equipment shall include the following:
i. A whistle or other audible signal device
ii. A first aid kit
iii. A ring buoy, rescue tube, life jacket
or other appropriate flotation device with a rope attached which is sufficient
in length for the area
e. Life jackets shall be worn during all boating
activities.
f. Prior to any
extended travel in any water craft, drills will be practiced to approximate
actual "man overboard" and capsize situations.
