Mystery over future of students’ kids camp

10:42am Sunday 18th May 2008

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DISADVANTAGED children from York and Selby could miss out on a much-needed holiday, following the suspension of a "Kids Camp" by the University of York's Students' Union.

Student volunteers have held the Student Action Kids' Camps since the 1960s, benefiting young people from across the region.

But the union has now suspended the camps - at least temporarily - after City of York Council contacted it, seeking to "clarify an issue."

Both the union and council have refused to reveal the nature of this issue, and declined to comment on a report in the student newspaper Nouse that it concerned an alleged incident at a camp held at Easter.

Asked a series of questions by The Press, including whether this summer's planned camp was definitely off, Union president Anne-Marie Canning said: "We are not at liberty to comment upon the questions you have posed.

"If you have any further questions please contact Joe Cocker, head of safeguarding children at CYC (City of York Council). Good luck with the article.

"Sorry we can't be of more help."

A council spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that the council contacted the YUSU (York University's Students Union) to clarify an issue regarding the Student Action Kids' Camp. Unfortunately, I'm unable to give you any further details."

A university spokesman said: "The Students' Union has organised kids camps since the 1960s, and they have benefited many disadvantaged young people, identified by social services, from York and the region. We anticipate that the union's officers, working within their established procedures, will investigate this issue fully and act accordingly."

Nouse said the Easter session of the Kids' Camp ran at a scout campsite just outside Leeds, and took 18 children between the ages of eight and 11, all within the social services system.

It said it was run entirely by student volunteers with no external staff present, with volunteers receiving one day of training. Nouse claimed that union executive officers were potentially personally liable for any legal claims brought against it, and the executive had decided that the set-up of Kids' Camp left both the union and its trustees vulnerable to legal action.

It added that this issue had been flagged up in a recent organisational audit undertaken by an outside consultant.

Nouse editor Raf Sanchez said today: "While there are clearly sensitive legal issues around the story, especially as it relates to children, the Student's Union has really closed ranks on it.

"It's been difficult to get even the most basic details confirmed.

"We stand by our story as it appeared in the paper and on our website, as it's important for students and the wider public to be aware that camp has been suspended and the reasons why."