2025 Summer Camps & DCF Background Checks
This message has been approved by Shelley Lopez, Program Director, Communications/Special Projects, for distribution to all Department Representatives.
The 2025 Summer Camp season is approaching, and preparations must be made soon. Summer Camp background checks are conducted and adjudicated by The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) through the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as mandated by Florida Statute 409.175. They require all new and returning summer camp personnel (owners, operators, administrative staff, employees, and volunteers) who provide care to minors to be screened and determined eligible by DCF via a Level 2 Fingerprint-based Background Check prior to working, training, or volunteering for the camp.
All FSU-sponsored Summer Camps and camps held on FSU campuses must comply with DCF Background Screening requirements. If made aware of external Summer Camps utilizing FSU facilities, or if external campers may interact with FSU personnel, please contact Andrew Kapec in HR for best practices and next steps.
Summer Camps held virtually still require a background check due to the live virtual interaction. Please coordinate with the HR Background Check Team to submit the Summer Camp Roster appropriately.
Please advise all camp volunteers and staff to complete the Protection of Vulnerable Persons (PVP) training linked below. Human Resources also provides customized PVP training for staff groups via Zoom and in person. This training provides additional information on FSU expectations and resources. Please contact Michelle Douglas at mbdouglas@fsu.edu to schedule customized PVP training.
The Summer Camp Page on the Background Check Website provides a detailed guide on initiating Summer Camp Background Checks, including forms, exemptions, and timelines to process Summer Camp Background Checks more efficiently. All Summer Camp Candidate DCF Clearinghouse Forms have been updated. Please replace all previously saved versions with the 2025 versions.
Required Summer Camp documents must be submitted to The Office of Human Resources Background Check Team via FSU Nifty to hr-ers@fsu.edu no later than 30 days before the anticipated start dates to ensure the timely processing of DCF Summer Camp Background Checks.
If hiring camp counselors or staff as OPS employees, please visit the HR Employee Data Management Website and review the OPS Employment Checklist to ensure the hires are made efficiently and your employees are paid in a timely manner.
Other Summer Camp Resources
- Protection of Vulnerable Persons Act/PVP Training:
- It is important for all camp volunteers and staffers to be trained in protecting minors and the reporting requirements for suspected child abuse. Please have your staff review the page below, as well as the training video and tips.
- https://hr.fsu.edu/sections/equal-opportunity-compliance-engagement/protection-vulnerable-persons-act
- Housing:
- To make plans for camp housing, please visit the link below.
- https://housing.fsu.edu/conference-services
- Environment Health & Safety / Insurance:
- FSU Parking Services:
- If parking plans are needed for your camp, please contact FSU TAPS.
- https://transportation.fsu.edu/
Questions? Contact Andrew Kapec at (850) 644-7938 or akapec@fsu.edu.
