Safety at Camp Jeanne d’Arc: Proactive, Prepared, and Personal
At Camp Jeanne d’Arc, we take safety precautions extremely seriously. Our approach on keeping our campers and staff safe is focused on being proactive, being prepared, and building personal relationships within our community.
- Proactive. We look at possible safety concerns and look at them from different angles. We determined our risk associated with each safety concern and analyze how we will allocate resources to address those concerns.
- Prepared. We plan and plan and plan. We anticipate various scenarios and create action plans to support our preparedness.
- Personal. We develop productive relationships with members of our community– fire departments, police departments, neighbors, local transportation companies, local power companies, etc. We want folks in our communities to know us, know what we do, and know that we value and appreciate them!
Fire Safety: Prevention and Response
Our fire prevention and response strategies help us prepare for fire safety concerns. These strategies are comprehensive taking into account cabin living, campfire safety, and environmental factors.
Cabins and Campus:
- Our cabins are equipped with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, routinely inspected and maintained.
- Candles or open flames are not allowed in cabins.
- Campfires are built utilizing best practices and closely supervised.
- We maintain a clean environment, minimizing brush and fire hazards.
Relationship with the Fire Department:
- We regularly meet with the local fire department, building strong relationships and familiarizing them with our campus.
Tree Maintenance and Weather Preparedness
While we can’t control the weather, we proactively prepare by maintaining campus trees. We partner with a local arborist who regularly assesses the health and stability of trees, especially near high-traffic pathways, walkways, and buildings. Some of our tree work and weather protocols include:
- Consults with arborists regarding the regular assessment of trees and removal plans to maintain a safe environment.
- Close monitoring of storms and strict storm protocols including safe houses indoors for quick retreats.
- Clear, well-rehearsed procedures to support an understanding of how to stay safe during outdoor activities.
Power Outage Preparedness
During the course of the summer, it is relatively common to experience brief power losses. Outages typically resolve quickly, but we are prepared for extended outages. Here are some of the measures we take in this unlikely scenario:
- A comprehensive 72-hour power outage plan so that campers remain fed, sanitary, and comfortable.
- Backup generators maintain key camp systems. Stock of essential supplies like water and paper goods.
- Backup communication via satellite phones and satellite radios
Medical Care in Emergencies
Camp Jeanne d’Arc has 24-hour medical support. A registered nurse maintains medical staff coverage on-site for immediate care. Additionally, camp staff are trained in basic first aid. If additional medical support is needed, we utilize our resources to address the situation:
- Established relationships with EMS responders, who regularly visit to familiarize themselves with our facilities for easy access during emergencies.
- Our medical director is affiliated with CVPH in Plattsburgh, to support seamless coordination.
- Connections with local urgent cares for any additional medical needs.
Flood Preparedness
Camp Jeanne d’Arc has low flood risk based on historical data and terrain. Past heavy rains have only caused large puddles on our fields. If needed, we can quickly move campers to higher ground, as the camp’s terrain naturally rises toward areas like Woodsheart and Camp Cormier. The lake level (Lake Chateaugay) is controlled by a local dam, managed by local authorities, preventing dangerous water rises. We have in-cabin communication systems and seamless communication at night across cabins if needed.
Waterfront Safety
While there is lots of fun to be had on Chateaugay Lake, safety is paramount when enjoying the waterfront. Camp Jeanne d’Arc follows industry best practices and strict standards in regards to waterfront safety.
- Counselors and staff receive extensive waterfront safety training, including lifeguard certification and first aid to those staffed at the waterfront.
- Campers receive training as well. Before participating in waterfront activities, campers are trained on the waterfront buddy system, the rules regarding access to the waterfront, life jacket requirements, and general water safety rules.
- A member of the senior staff serves as the lifeguard-certified Waterfront Director and manages the waterfront when in use. The Waterfront Director is supported by swim instructors and activity leaders.
- Swim assessments are conducted to determine swimming levels of campers.
Personal Safety in an Open Camp Setting
Though Camp Jeanne d’Arc has no closed boundaries, our small camp size creates an environment where everyone knows each other—counselors, campers, and support staff alike. We also make concerted efforts to get to know our neighbors. We believe that fostering a community of mutual care goes a long way in maintaining a safe camp environment. Some additional personal safety measures include:
- Staff, counselors, and campers are trained to alert others if someone unfamiliar is on site.
- Clear signage marks property lines leaving no confusion.
- Campers are required to use a buddy system while traversing campus.
- The local police department also visits regularly, familiarizing themselves with the camp, ready to assist if needed.
- Clear visitor policies including protocols for staff screening of any overnight visitors and required escorts for non-screened visitors.
Practice and Communication is Key
According to the National Weather service, training staff on safety protocol and practicing plans with the camp community are key factors when responding to emergencies. At Camp Jeanne d’Arc we train counselors and staff on emergency plans ahead of camper arrival and engage in emergency drills regularly.
Effective communication is also critical. So how does Camp Jeanne d’Arc communicate within the camp community when there is an emergency? While we can be as proactive and prepared as possible, we need to have the right infrastructure to enact our protocols and plans as needed. Here are some examples of how Camp Jeanne d’Arc communicates across camp:
- Specialized bugle calls and whistles. During a typical camp day, CJDA uses bugle calls and whistles that can be heard across the campus to indicate meal times, activity schedule, and rest time. In addition, we practice specialty bugle calls to indicate storms, missing campers, fire, and other emergencies.
- Walkie-talkie system. Counselors and staff are trained in our system of walkie talkie communication. This includes communicating weather events, changes in schedules, and nightly check-ins.
- “Officer of the Day” counselor. Every day, one counselor is designated as the “Officer of the Day” counselor. The OD has specific jobs related to packages/mail, cabin clean up, bugles, and schedules as well as the point person for campus communication.
- Satellite phone. In the rare circumstance that CJDA loses cell phone reception from the Lyon Mountain cell tower, we have a battery-powered satellite phone that can be used to reach off-campus personnel if necessary.
Our Strategy is Proactive and Relationship-Based
In summary, safety at Camp Jeanne d’Arc is not a single policy but a comprehensive, living strategy built on the pillars of proactivity, preparedness, and personal relationships. While we maintain comprehensive safety protocols, no program can eliminate all risks inherent in outdoor activities. But by anticipating various scenarios, maintaining strong ties with local emergency services and the community, and implementing detailed protocols—from fire prevention and weather drills to 24-hour medical support and a camper buddy system—we create an environment where our campers and staff feel secure. This relationship-based approach allows us to be seamlessly integrated with our local partners, ultimately fostering a safe, caring, and memorable summer experience.