The Board of Directors and staff of LBCR are committed to the safety of our campers above all else. In keeping with guidelines set forth by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) and implementing safe camper practices, it is our goal to minimize our guests’ risk to injury, illness, and more importantly, create an environment to prevent physical and emotional abuse. Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat is operated as a youth camp under the guidelines set forth by the TDSHS. As such, there are several guidelines that apply to all youth camping and retreat programs.
These are:
Child Abuse Prevention Training – All adults (age 18 and over) attending retreats or camps in any capacity other than a camper must complete a sexual abuse and child molestation awareness training course approved by TDSHS. A training course is offered online that can be completed via our website. The course consists of a series of educational videos and a test, which must be passed with a grade of 70% or better. This course must be completed by all adults prior to arrival. Exams and certificates of completion must be given to each group leader. LBCR chooses to use Faith based Ministry Safe as our preferred choice of training. Individuals are welcome to copy and paste the following link into their browser which will take you to the training video: https://www.ministrysafe.com/purchase
Camp Administrator upon arrival – The certification is valid for a period of two years and LBCR will retain records on site. Note: Any adult not completing the course prior to arrival must attend the training onsite prior to any contact with campers regardless of how recently they completed the training elsewhere. Criminal Background Checks – All adults (age 18 and over) attending camp in any capacity other than a camper must submit to a Criminal Background Check. It is the responsibility of each organization to perform the check prior to arrival at camp. Online checks can be conducted through the Texas Department of Public Safety at records.txdps.state.tx.us/ for a nominal fee. Any individual who refuses to submit to a background check will be asked to leave LBCR property.
Sex Offender Registration Checks –All adults (age 18 and over) attending camp in any capacity other than a camper must submit to a Sex Offender Registry Check. It is the responsibility of each organization to perform the check prior to arrival at camp. Online checks can be conducted through the Texas Department of Public Safety at records.txdps.state.tx.us/free of charge. Individuals who arrive without the criminal background check may pay LBCR a fee for conducting the check. Any individual who refuses to submit to a background check will be asked to leave LBCR property.
Effective May 16, 2016, per the TDSHS, persons with the following convictions or deferred adjudications may not be present at a youth camp:
• A misdemeanor or felony under Texas Penal Code, Title 5 (Offenses Against the Person),
• Title 6 (Offenses Against the Family),
• Chapter 29 (Robbery) of Title 7,
• Chapter 43 (Public Indecency) or §42.072 (Stalking) of Title 9,
• §15.031 (Criminal Solicitation of a Minor) of Title 4,
• §38.17 (Failure to Stop or Report Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child) of Title 8,
• Or any like offense under the law of another state or under federal law.
The Adult Counselor/Volunteer Roster listing of all counselors should be provided to LBCR with the counselors’ full name, dates of criminal background check and sex offender registry check. To protect the privacy of our guests, it is recommended that the criminal background checks be maintained by the organization in a secure location. In the event a TDSHS Inspector requests the documents, LBCR and the sponsoring organization have 48 hours to produce the records for review.
On Site Camp Health Officer – A physician, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, or a person with an American Red Cross Emergency Response certificate, or its equivalent must be on site and on call at all times. Each group is required to provide a Camp Health Officer for the duration of their stay. If needed, LBCR will provide a Camp Health Officer for an additional charge.
Prescription Medications – All prescription medications must be in their original container and must be surrendered to the Camp Health Officer upon arrival. All prescription medications are to be held in a lockable cabinet or other secure area not accessible to campers. The Camp Health Officer must make him/herself available as needed to dispense prescription medications. Note: Asthma inhalers or Epi-pens for severe allergic reactions may be kept by campers, but must be in their possession at all times.
Our first aid station stocks a wide variety of over-the-counter medications for headaches, stomach aches, insect bites/stings, rash, eye irritation, cough/congestion, etc. It is recommended that campers do not bring OTC medications to camp.