We believe in the following:

• We believe In the unity of the Godhead, existing forever in three persons, namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

• We believe that Jesus is God’s Son, and the only sacrifice for sin.

• We believe that the Bible, as originally written, is the inspired word of God, completely free from error, and is our authority and standard.

• We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts of sin and guides and instructs believers for godly living.

• We believe that Christ will personally and visibly return to take the Church out of this world.

• We believe that the only basis for salvation is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and the shedding of his blood, and that Salvation is only effective through a personal acceptance by faith of the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour.

• We believe that the final judgment and eternal punishment of unbelievers is Hell.

• We believe that Satan is a distinct personality, the originator of all evil and is destined to eternal punishment.

Camp Managers

• The Board have appointed camp managers who ensure that Board policies are carried out according to the Board's wishes. 

• They are answerable to the Board.

• They have a primary role in promoting the campsite to potential users and ensuring that all users of the centre act in accordance with Board policies

• Camp managers need to work in with the organizing committee in the selection of leaders ensuring that leader application forms are filled in and that there are enough leaders for the number of campers.  Generally a ratio in a room of 1 leader to about 5 or 6 campers is the norm

• All camp personnel need to liaise with them concerning programs and activities

Camp site staff

The Board have appointed site staff who have the responsibility for camp maintenance and cleaning, assisting the organising of camps and  participating when needed.

Involvement in camp is to be fostered Spiritual involvement should be encouraged provided that another person/persons are  available for the general cleaning and maintenance during camp.

Kitchen Manager

• The board have appointed a Kitchen manager. 

• This person’s responsibility is to oversee the use of the kitchen by all users, including buying food, approving menus and training new staff in the use of the kitchen. 

• The kitchen manager also needs to ensure that all food handling is safe and that the kitchen is operated in accordance with current food and hospitality legislation.

• Their role includes organizing a catering team of which they should be an active member.

Organizing Committee

This committee consists of at least 5 people including a chairman. It has the overall responsibility of seeking out Christian leaders willing to spend 5 days at one of the holiday camps run by Riverbend

They need to find a balanced staff of around 20 people for each camp. 

A suggested list is below:

• 1 or 2 Supervisors

• 1 study leader

• 1 set of camp parents

• A minimum of 6 male cabin leaders

• A minimum  of 6 female cabin leaders

• At least 2 kitchen staff, one of whom is responsible for getting daily helpers

• 1 male kitchen helper  -  (can be one of the site staff if no one is available)

• 1 camp auntie and/or uncle

The committee is responsible for camp personnel up to and including the actual camp.  They need to be available to assist the supervisor in any special areas during camp as well as during clean up.

The organizing committee, along with the camp managers, are responsible for printing and distributing camp forms.

Main Duties:

• To spend much time in prayer regarding which personnel should be approached and how best to place them to give a balanced team of workers

• To get enough cabin leaders to staff 30 boys and 30 girls and to liaise with the booking in staff  regarding the need for more leaders if camper numbers exceed 30.

• To ensure that each camp leader has a copy of the leader’s handbook and is aware of their particular requirements and responsibilities before accepting a position.

• To obtain a study leader suitable for the age range of the campers

• To obtain a supervisor at the earliest possible opportunity.  This person ideally needs to have had recent Riverbend experience.  They need to be a person of maturity, able to accept responsibility and to operate under the pressures of camp life.

Important Procedures

First Aid

• The First Aid room is always locked and camp parents have a key.

• All panadol needs to be administered only if there is a need and only if the   camper's parents have signed to allow them to have panadol.

• Record all panadol given out in the appropriate book.

• If an accident occurs that requires ambulance or doctor, an accident report form needs filling in.

• All First Aid of any form  -  no matter how small  -  needs recording in the book.

• Parents should be informed either during or after camp if rashes, cuts, knocks to the head etc have occurred with their child.

• When in doubt check with the camp managers and order an ambulance

• Do NOT ring the hospital directly

• Use gloves when dealing with any blood injuries

• If you use items from the First Aid room or from the First Aid boxes, please make a note of what needs replacing.

• There is a small bag in the sports room which can be taken out for outside activities.

• Take the First Aid boxes on any excursions.

• Camp has 3 walkie talkies to be used on excursions and when groups are divided up.

Safety Issues

It is crucial that all due care is taken to not be negligent in any areas of personal safety.  Therefore, please observe the following:

• 1 only on a trampoline at a time.

• No children on the flying fox, near the river, in the sheds, in the bush,

• near the lake, in canoes without ADULT or LEADER supervision

• Wear helmets when riding the bikes

• Wear helmets and goggles when on the sled

• Supervise all campers carefully when the sled is being used

• Wear safety vests when using canoes

• Use the safety belt when on the flying fox

• Supervise all children on the top of the flying fox

• No riding bikes in the front part of camp

• No running through the dining room or inside the building unless it is a supervised and organized game/activity

• No bare feet in the dining room area

• Only authorized personnel to run the Gyrobix

• No campers in leader’s cars without permission from the camp managers

• No wrestling or pillow fighting games unless it has been cleared with the camp managers

• No objects to be thrown during skits at concerts

• EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS  -  meet at the sign near the water slide on the bottom oval.  Ensure that all campers vacate rooms in an orderly manner via the nearest exit.

Bullying

The camp has a strict policy on bullying.  We believe that all campers should come to camp and be safe from personal attacks, name calling, abuse of their property, ostracism and put downs.

Therefore:  If campers are found to be picking on others and  not responding to requests to stop, they are to be sent home immediately (if possible) and banned for a period of time.

This means that all leaders need to be aware of incidents and report them as soon as possible  -  even if they feel they have dealt with it  -  because camp supervisors need to see if a pattern is emerging.  Bullies can be very good at disguising their actions and justifying what they do.

Leaders need to develop their ability to see when so called ‘jokes’ are in reality bullying tactics, or ‘power plays’ by one child against another.  Take special notice of loners and look for group bullying as well.

The offender should always be given the opportunity to apologize and repent of their actions but if they continue, they should be sent home.  This could be an area where the study leader or camp parents or grandparents could be involved in doing some low level counseling to try and bring about change.

General Rules

• All campers are to be in their own rooms after lights out.  Failure to do this, other than going to the toilet, will usually result in a 12 month ban from camps

• No campers are to bring knives or other implements with them

• No money to be kept in rooms and this includes leaders

• No walkmans etc to be brought to camp

• The expectation is that campers will be obedient to leaders requests and that leaders will be reasonable with their requests

• The expectation is that campers will as far as possible join  in with all activities

• Keep a good check on lost clothing during camp

• Confidentiality is of vital importance, especially when dealing with children in counseling situations

• The Lounge and chapel areas should only be used under supervision.

• Any musical or sound gear in the chapel is NOT to be used by campers unless supervised by a leader and with the owner’s permission

• No camper should be in another person's room without supervision by a leader.

Thursday evenings

• Thursday evening is the time for concerts at which parents are invited to attend

• They should be entertaining but not too long

• They need to include a time for the study leader or someone to give some form of gospel appeal

• It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that all skits are decent and safe

• If a supervisor changes the time, it needs to be advertised clearly on the Sunday when booking in.

Chain of command

The basic chain of command at a Riverbend camp goes to the supervisor.  Anything that concerns the well being of the children at camp, or the daily program should be directed to the supervisor. 

Let them know your concerns, things you are seeing, things you are hearing, so that they can make a judgment on what to do.  Please show them the respect that would be due to a person in charge.  If they make a decision you are unhappy about, do not grumble to others, but quietly discuss it with them afterwards. 

Supervisors need to confer with the camp managers when they are concerned about things that are happening and make major decisions in consultation with them.

If supervisors, camp parents or study leaders have a concern about a leader, it needs to be raised with the organizing committee as soon as possible.

Leaders, therefore report to the supervisors, who report to the camp managers and the organizing committee who are able to report to the Board.

It is of the utmost importance, however, that all leaders work together as part of a team.  Remember that we are the body of Christ.

Keep the camp as tidy as possible throughout the week

• Keep a close eye on lost property

• Cabin leaders are responsible for cleaning their rooms after camp. 

• They should check for any lost property and leave the rooms as tidy as when they arrived.

Camp personnel will do the cleaning of the rest of camp, including toilets, provided that leaders clean the dorms and empty the bins etc.