KL Hockey in Kawartha Lakes offers summer programming for kids in July and August with a focus on providing a top-notch experience both on and off the ice, according to its website. However, during a portion of this summer, the camp employed Bradley Gibbs, a lead instructor who recently admitted to assaulting children. Gibbs, a Durham Regional Police officer, entered a guilty plea to two counts of assaulting children he knew. The specific details are subject to a court-imposed publication ban.
Despite being described as an active coach and mentor in the Kawartha Lakes region on the camp’s website, Gibbs opted to resign following inquiries from CBC News. Camp management informed parents via email that they had stood by Gibbs during a personal legal matter over the past year. Notably, there is no existing Ontario legislation mandating that summer camps conduct thorough screenings, including criminal record checks, on their staff.
In response to this issue, Premier Doug Ford’s office announced plans to make criminal background checks compulsory for summer camps. The Ontario Camps Association (OCA), a non-profit organization with over 400 accredited members, mandates criminal record checks for staff. However, camps not affiliated with the OCA, like KL Hockey Camp, are not held to these standards.
Gibbs, who remains employed by the Durham Regional Police, has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the criminal matter. A lawyer highlighted the significant gap in legislation regarding summer camp requirements, emphasizing the need for vulnerable sector checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups.
An adult victim of Gibbs expressed concern over his involvement with the camp, underscoring the importance of stringent vetting processes. While the Ministry of Education doesn’t oversee camps for children over four, industry experts stress the necessity for camps to adopt protective measures independently. Parents are advised to inquire about how camps vet staff members to ensure a safe environment for their children.