Notice of Additional Training Required by State
Texas state law requires every adult attending a state-licensed camp with minor children to successfully complete Child Protection Training with a written test approved by the Department of State Health Services. This law is in addition to the annual criminal background check and sex offender registration record check your church is already required to conduct on any adult who will be accompanying children to camp.
In order to help your church meet this requirement, the Texas Baptist Camp Managers Conference, Inc., has written a training curriculum that was approved by the Department of State Health Services in April of 2021.
The curriculum provides our churches with a statewide uniform course that complies with the mandated requirements. Each adult attending camp with children must complete a minimum of one clock-hour of training (total) addressing the following topics:
- the definitions and effects of sexual abuse and child molestation;
- the typical patterns of behavior and methods of operation of child molesters and sex offenders that put children at risk;
- the warning signs and symptoms associated with sexual abuse or child molestation;
- the recommended procedures by youth camps to address, prevent, and report suspected sexual abuse or child molestation;
- ways adults can avoid putting themselves at risk for an accusation of sexual misconduct.
The test administered at the conclusion of the training must consist of a minimum of 25 questions and address the topics described in the training.
This curriculum is available for download, free to your church, The downloads include the training text, the 25-question test, and a certificate of completion. Leaders only, may obtain an answer key by sending a request to info@lathamsprings.com.
Also, you may download the optional training video. The optional training video is a useful resource, however, it is possible to successfully teach the course by using the training text only. The training text, and optional video, is designed for anyone to easily present to a group of adults.
This training and certification of completion is mandatory for all adults and must be completed before attending camp. The certificates of completion, background screening, and adult registration forms must be presented at camp registration. If an adult attending camp does not have a certificate of completion, he or she will be required to attend training at Latham Springs on the first day of camp before they may have contact with minors.
Every adult who attends camp during the summer must take the Child Protection Training Course. Please check with the group leader for your Summer Camp Week to find out when training is being offered. All adult leaders (18 and over) must successfully complete the training.
Note: If you viewed the video last summer you do not need to view the video and complete the test again this summer. You may follow up with your Camp Director to make sure you are current on this requirement.
1. Download Training Course and Exam:
2. Watch Child Protection Training Videos (approx. 22 minutes):
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Video 4