KL Hockey in Kawartha Lakes, a summer camp offering day and overnight activities for kids during July and August, is committed to providing top-notch experiences both on and off the ice, according to its website. However, a recent development revealed that one of its main instructors, Bradley Gibbs, a Durham Regional Police officer, had pleaded guilty to assaulting children known to him earlier this year. Due to legal constraints, further details cannot be disclosed by CBC News.
Despite being described as an active coach and mentor on the camp’s website, Gibbs decided to step down following inquiries from CBC News, as communicated in an email to parents. The camp’s leadership mentioned their support for Gibbs during his personal legal ordeal over the past year. Notably, there is no current Ontario law mandating summer camps to conduct thorough background checks on their staff.
In response to the situation, Premier Doug Ford’s office expressed intentions to make criminal background checks mandatory for summer camps. The Ontario Camps Association stipulates that its accredited members must vet staff through criminal record checks, although membership in the association is voluntary, leaving non-member camps like KL Hockey Camp without official guidelines for staff screening.
Gibbs, who remains employed at Durham Regional Police Services, has been reassigned to administrative duties pending the resolution of his legal case. A lawyer highlighted the gap in legislation concerning summer camp staff vetting, emphasizing the importance of mandatory checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups.
KL Hockey’s camp director acknowledged Gibbs’ departure in an email, attributing it to recent attention on his personal legal matter. Gibbs, in a letter included in the email, took responsibility for his actions and expressed regret, focusing on rebuilding trust with the community. Parents were advised to inquire about staff vetting procedures at summer camps to ensure their children’s safety.
