KL Hockey in Kawartha Lakes provides day and overnight activities for kids during July and August with a commitment to deliver exceptional experiences both on and off the ice, according to its website. However, the camp faced controversy this summer as one of its main instructors, Bradley Gibbs, a Durham Regional Police officer, admitted to assaulting children in April. The details of the assaults are subject to a court publication ban.
Despite being described as a valued coach and mentor on the camp’s website, Gibbs chose to resign following inquiries from CBC News. The camp informed parents that they had supported Gibbs through a personal legal issue but did not disclose whether they were aware of his guilty pleas.
Currently, Ontario does not mandate summer camps to conduct background checks on staff working with children. However, in response to the situation, Premier Doug Ford’s office announced plans to make criminal background checks compulsory for summer camps.
The Ontario Camps Association (OCA) requires its accredited members to vet staff through criminal record checks, but membership is voluntary. KL Hockey Camp is not an OCA member and therefore not required to adhere to these standards.
Gibbs remains employed at Durham Regional Police Services, where he has been reassigned from frontline duties to an administrative role pending the outcome of his sentencing. The absence of legislation mandating staff vetting at summer camps has raised concerns among legal experts and advocates.
Gibbs’ departure from KL Hockey Camp was prompted by public attention to his legal issue. The camp’s director, Amanda Tayles, emphasized that the matter was unrelated to the camp’s operations or law enforcement duties. The lack of specific requirements for vetting camp staff in Ontario underscores a critical gap in child protection measures.
Parents are advised to inquire about staff vetting procedures at summer camps to ensure the safety of their children. While some standards exist within the OCA, camps outside this association may not adhere to the same level of scrutiny. Transparency and accountability in staff vetting are crucial for maintaining a secure environment for campers.
