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To News: Convicted Sex Offenders Would Be Barred Bill Would Require Background Checks For Camp Counselors March 12, 2004, CHICAGO -- When a parent thinks of summer camp, the first thoughts are usually of swimming, crafts and fun. "You probably don't think about counselors like Kevin Haenchen," NBC5's Marion Brooks said on Thursday. Brooks reported that Haenchen is a convicted sex offender who has admitted to having molested 24 kids -- some as young as 3 years old -- at summer camps near St. Louis. "I would molest them," he said. "I'd get them alone and I'd start touching them" Cathy Stix has two children -- aged 13 and 7 -- that she sends to away and day camps in the summer. She, like many parents, said she never really thought about background checks for counselors. Stix's children have never been abused, Brooks reported. "The counselors at the camps where my kids go are mostly high school and college students, so it was never a concern of mine," she said. "I trusted the camp owners to do whatever kind of check they felt necessary." That's a problem, Haenchen said "They [parents] trust too much," he said. "They trust way too much." Despite reports of sexual abuse at some camps across the country -- Illinois does not require background checks, Brooks reported. That raises the question of whether her trust in the age of the counselors and in the camp directors is enough. Haenchen admitted to beginning molesting children as a teenager.  State
representative John Fritchey (pictured, right) said he is sponsoring legislation
that would require federal background checks and preclude those convicted
of sex crimes from working at a camp. The idea followed a news report of
abuse, Brooks reported."Common sense would tell you that, of course, camp directors are screening who is working for them and the reality is you would hope most of them are," Fritchey said. "But we want to make sure there is a safeguard. We found incidents at church camps, community centers, and day camps. So whether it is in your back yard or whether it is in the middle of the woods, this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed." Officials from the American Camping Association said they support the legislation -- as long as it doesn't put a great financial burden on camps. Fritchey said he estimates a background check would cost approximately $40. The legislation is due for a vote in the house this month. If it passes, it will then move to the senate. Copyright 2004 by NBC5.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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