ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — If you’re like thousands of parents in Central Florida, you’re probably on the lookout for the best summer camp to keep your children busy when school lets out.
9 Investigates uncovered violent criminals could be lurking around your kids’ summer camp, and you wouldn't even know it.
State law requires state and FBI background checks, but summer camps are not licensed in Florida. 9 Investigates found out there is no state agency verifying those checks are actually done, and self-reporting is voluntary.
Investigative reporter Daralene Jones showed Kimberlie Reinhardt a warning just posted to the Department of Children and Families website earlier this month, warning parents to do their own homework.
“A lot of parents probably think these places are safe,” Reinhardt told Jones. “I don’t think it's that hard to regulate them. It's just like putting in a permit to have a pop up stand, or to have a food truck on the side of the street.”
White Chapel Church of God and Warner Christian Academy are facing a long list of lawsuits alleging they failed to perform a "reasonable background check" on Matthew Graziotti. The youth pastor and camp counselor is now serving more than 200 years in prison over child pornography related charges that involve some of the children he during summer camp at the church.
[ Read: New allegations uncovered against man sentenced last month in child porn case ]
“Had they conducted the appropriate background check they would've known he was unfit to be around children in any capacity. If nobody is stepping in to make sure the laws are being complied with then abuse is going to occur, and that's what we're seeing,” said attorney Jason Harr, who has filed lawsuits on behalf of some of the victims.
[ Read: Volusia County teacher charged with producing, distributing child porn ]
The Orlando Science Center hosts one of the few accredited camps in Central Florida that require extensive security and safety inspections, not by the state, but by the American Camp Association.
“We just wanted to have this kind of check and balance on our process to make sure we were meeting best practice,” said Heather Norton, with the Orlando Science Center.
In November of 2014, the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act was signed into law. The new law prescribes health and safety requirements that include changes to background screening requirements that apply to all child care providers and requires more information be available to parents and the general public about child care choices.
[ >>> Read other 9 Investigates stories <<< ]
State Rep. Jason Brodeur, (R - Sanford) told 9 Investigates that adding more stringent requirements to summer camps could put them out of business.
“Those kind of facility requirements may put a business that only operates 11 or 12 months out of the year, out of business for something that is essentially a choice that parents are making, as opposed to a requirement of daycare,” Brodeur said.
9 Investigates research confirms there's a need for background checks on summer camp staff and volunteers across the state.
One counselor was accused of mentally and physically abusing a 12-year-old camper with autism. Another counselor is accused of carrying on a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old. A camp director is accused of asking a 13-year-old to send nude photos. 9 Investigates also learned another counselor was caught licking a 9-year-old's forehead, they said, for sexual pleasure.
A 2012 audit by the state also suggested the need for more oversight. A spokesperson for DCF told 9 Investigates that when the department receives allegations of abuse or neglect at a summer camp, the case would be referred to the Florida Abuse Hotline and would be handled like any other allegation.
“When we receive a complaint regarding background screening compliance at a summer camp, a licensing counselor from the region visits the camp and provides technical assistance to get the summer camp back into compliance,” DCF Spokesperson David Frady said in an e-mail.
The department received eight complaints regarding background screening for summer camps last year: two were not issues with background screening and were referred to the Florida Abuse Hotline, one was in compliance and five required technical assistance to get back into compliance.
“It puts parents in a position now where they almost have to do their own background checks to ensure the protection of their children,” Harr said.
According to DCF, the following camp facilities were non-compliant during a random audit in March 2016. It was part of a one-time analysis. All information provided by DCF:
Atlantic Arts Academy Summer Camp (Performing Arts Academy of Jupiter), Jupiter
Camp Palmetto, Boca Raton
Foto Camp (Palm Beach Photographic Centre), West Palm Beach
Mad Science Of Palm Beach, Jupiter
Palm Beach Sailing Club Summer Sail Camp, West Palm Beach
South Florida Science Museum (Center), West Palm Beach
Tommy Hutton Baseball (Academy) Camp, Jupiter
Sarasota Youth Sailing Summer Camp, Sarasota
San Pedro Center Summer Camp, Winter Park
Smithsonian Marine Station Summer Camp, Fort Pierce
Green Apple Summer Camp, Davie
New Horizon (Community Development Corporation, Inc.) Summer Camp, Pompano Beach
Lots Of Hugs Learning Center, Plant City
Life For Youth Camp (Ranch), Vero Beach
Camp Chameleon, Sunrise
City Of Hollywood - Sunshine Camp, Hollywood
Lightning Basketball Camp, Weston
Santa Fe College, Gainesville (non-compliant as of March 16, 2016)
In addition, based on information provided by the Department's Background Screening staff, of the sample of summer camps reviewed as part of the 2016 analysis, the following membership organizations were non-compliant as of March 3, 2016:
Boy Scouts of America:
Central Florida Council
Gulf Coast Council
Gulf Ridge Council
Gulf Stream Council
North Florida Council
South Florida Council
Southwest Florida Council
Suwannee River Area Council
West Central Florida Council
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America:
of the Big Bend
of Northwest Florida
of Broward County
of Palm Beach and Martin Counties
of Central Florida
of St. Lucie, Indian River & Okeechobee Counties
of Greater Miami
of St. Johns County
of Mid-Florida
of the Sun Coast
of Northeast Florida
of Tampa Bay (with the exception of Polk County)
Girl Scouts of the United States of America:
Girl Scout Council of the Florida Panhandle
Girl Scouts of Citrus Council
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida
Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
Boys & Girls Clubs of America:
Alachua County
Broward County
Bay County
Emerald Coast
Central Florida
Palm Beach County
Sarasota County
St. Lucie County