While working as the Assistant Director of a Summer Camp (for the sixth consecutive year), there was a child, a 10 year old girl, and her younger two brothers. I noticed this particular 10 year old little girl (Krystal) because she not only had a dynamic smile, but she was very loving and very protective of her two little brothers. The ethical dilemma that soon surfaced was the neglect of her mother. Krystal and her brothers often opened the summer camp with me, meaning they were the first children of the day - at 6:00am in the morning and they consistently closed the camp at 6:00pm Monday through Friday. It was difficult to tell whether or not Krystal and her brothers had breakfast before they came to camp each morning, but it was evident (early on) that feeding her children was not the priority of Krystal’s mom; fore although Krystal’s mom drove a brand new Cadillac Escalade, wore brand new clothes, always had her nails done, and dripped of gold - a ring on each finger, long dangling ear rings (3 piercings each ear lobe) and several layers of gold necklaces, Krystal and her brothers only had a corn dog for their long 12 hour day at camp. Not wanting to embarrass Krystal, her brothers or their mom, I started bringing food for all the campers; in fact, I started a snack list and was able to get many parents to donate snacks and juices weekly - this way every child was fed and no one was the wiser. Never did I image that the neglect would continue and actually get worse. One morning, Krystal was at the water fountain crying a cry I have not heard (since I was a child). Krystal’s mother was yelling at her and slapping her over and over instructing her to ‘shut up’ and wash her hand. As I came over to assist, Krystal’s hand was bloody, swollen, already very bruised and the nails on two of her fingers were pulled up off the nail bed almost at a 90
Reflecting on Personal Business Ethics

degree angle to her fingers. Krystal’s mom quickly told me that one of Krystal’s brothers had accidentally shut the car door on Krystal’s hand just as the momma was pulling away. Sensing that Krystal’s mom was embarrassed with the current event involving her daughter and frustrated because she was now running late for work I offered to continue helping Krystal clean her hand. Krystal’s mom took me up on my offer and quickly left for work while Krystal and I continued first aid on Krystal’s hand. Over the next 3 days, Krystal’s hand kept swelling and bruising and despite the talks with Krystal’s mother, Krystal’s mom would not take Krystal to the doctor to have her hand checked out. Day four, Krystal’s hand was turning green and she said it was numb. I took the issue and my concern to my direct supervisor, the Director and Owner of the camp (Ms. Lilliana). I was surprised and shocked when Ms. Lilliana sternly instructed me to drop the issue and go about my camp responsibilities. Walking away in a daze, I did what I was told - until the next day when Krystal’s hand was worsening. I again addressed Krystal’s mom about her hand and that I felt a doctor should look at it. I then went back to my Director and re-stated my concern. The next day I was scolded and reprimanded for ‘not following instructions’ - apparently Krystal’s mom complained to my Director and threatened to pull Krystal, her brothers and their four cousins from the camp, which would have resulted in a financial loss of weekly revenue times 7 campers. This would have resulted in down sizing camp staff which then would have resulted in less field trips and camper activities and of course bored campers rarely return this would have started a chain reaction of unhappy campers and unsatisfied parents sparking a domino affect of parents removing their students from our camp.
Reflecting on Personal Business Ethics

Furious that my Director put money before the health, welfare and safety of a child, I left for the weekend contemplating resigning first thing Monday morning. Most of that weekend, i wrestled with my personal virtue, moral and ethical values. Do I speak with Krystal’s mom again? Do I speak with Krystal’s aunt who comes to pick up Krystal? Do I quit and just walk away? Do I call the anonymous abuse hotline? Do I go through Krystal’s paperwork in an attempt to get and emergency contact phone number on Krystal camp papers. What will happen to Krystal? What will happen to Krystal’s brothers? Will I be fired? If not me, then which staff member will be let go because of reduced revenue? Will we even have a camp next year? Not being able to handle being part of the neglect of a child, I called the anonymous hotline. Since my call was on a Saturday, a representative came to the camp the following Monday, to interview Krystal, her brothers, her cousins, camp counselors, myself, my Director and at the end of the day, Krystal’s mom.
Two days, later, Krystal came to camp with a pink cast, a new dress and a huge smile. She hugged me tightly and played like all the rest of the children. Two days later, Krystal, her brothers and her cousins were gone from our camp. In fact, their entire apartment was empty. My boss wrote me up and threatened to fire me if I ever again call child protective services while I am employed with her. I was told the issue was not mine, but that of my Director and my Director said she was handling things even if I did not know or believe so. I let my Director know that I felt she was also neglectful of the safety and welfare of a child and that I expect her to take the lead if there is a next time; that she placed me in a precoious situation as well as putting me in a situation where my judgement could come into
Reflecting on Personal Business Ethics

question and I could be at risk of losing my children, not just my job and any future employment I would have to seek.