Setting High Camp Standards
At EDMO Safety is our Priority
We know that you are entrusting us with your children and we do not take that responsibility lightly! We follow strict guidelines to ensure that kids and staff are safe during all of our programs. Bookmark this page and access it any time for information on our safety policies including:
Staff Safety Training:
- For all EDMO programs staff are background checked (state and federal).
- All Camp Directors and Instructors for on-site, in-person programs are CPR and First Aid Certified, with an in person component.
- Counselors at on-site camp also undergo first aid and safety training before beginning in-person programs.
- Staff for all other in-person programs are CPR and First Aid Certified through online training.
In-Person Camp Safety Policies and Procedures:
Safety at Camp EDMO® starts with our staff and the policies, procedures and training each member goes through. Here are some of the things we do to make sure everyone at camp stays safe:
- Each camp location has an emergency binder that includes local emergency numbers and a safety packet outlining the various scenarios and procedures that could arise at camp.
- Each Monday campers are told camp rules and provided with clear boundaries of where they can and cannot go on campus and reminded of the rules throughout the week.
- Counselors and Instructors have campers line up when moving from one place to another. Groups use a team name as a unique attention getter to gather campers. In addition, they repeatedly conduct a headcount as they move between activities throughout the day.
- Our maximum ratio of campers to staff ensures proper supervision for all ages during all camp activities:
- Junior (PK-K): 6:1
- Prime and Max (1st-5th grades): 8:1
We Do Not Allow
- Weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other banned substances. We also do not allow animals at camp except in the case of service animals.
- Nuts or any nut based products. In order to ensure the safety of all the kids in our camps, all of our camp sites are designated nut-free. Please DO NOT BRING ANY NUT PRODUCTS (trail mix, peanut butter, granola bars, Nutella, etc.). We apologize for any inconvenience, but this policy ensures the safety of our kids with life-threatening allergies. Each day at check-in, our staff will ask if there are any nuts in your kid’s lunch or snack. If there are, you will be asked to take the food items with you and return with a non-nut option for your kid to eat.
- Unattended scooters, bikes or skateboards. If your child kid rides a scooter, bike or skateboard to camp, we will ask them to store them in a designated area for the duration of camp.
- Electronic devices (including but are not limited to cell phones, tablets, laptops and chromebooks) unless they are being used for a technology theme camp. If campers do bring them, they will be asked to keep them in their bag throughout the duration of the camp day.
Health Policies and Procedures:
- If your child gets an unfortunate bump, scrape, or skinned knee, you will receive a note about the incident at pickup. In the event of any head injury or serious bodily injury, you or your emergency contacts will receive a call within 15 minutes of the injury, and a full written Incident Report will be provided to you within 48 hours
- For the safety of everyone, we will consider any symptoms that are not a clear physical injury as possible COVID symptoms. The child will be removed from their group and taken to a preselected isolation space where they will remain while arrangements are made for their return home.
Common Illnesses Policies and Procedures:
Head Lice
Head lice are parasitic insects that are spread by contact with an infested person or items such as rugs, couches, car seats or by the exchange of hats, clothing, headphones or other personal items. We take every precaution to ensure kids do not share any of the aforementioned items at camp and will be on the lookout out for children itching their scalps. Please note that head lice are more likely to be spread at home than in the camp setting. If you discover that your child/children has/have lice, please contact EDMO immediately to inform us of possible exposure.
Should we learn of lice from a family or discover lice at camp, we will follow these precautionary measures:
- Contact the parent or guardian and ask that they pick up their child/children from camp.
- Notify all families attending camp that week so they can be on the lookout for these little critters at home.
- Request a 24 hour waiting period after discovery & treatment before a child returns to camp.
- Clean and disinfect the spaces anyone who was found to have lice occupied while at camp.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox appears as a very itchy rash that spreads from the torso to the neck, face and limbs. The illness is spread by droplets from a sneeze or cough, or by contact with clothing. Although clothing is not shared at camp, chickenpox is highly contagious and spread can easily occur. If you think your child may have chicken pox, please consult your physician immediately and contact EDMO to inform us of possible exposure.
Should we learn of chickenpox from a family or discover chickenpox at camp, we will follow these precautionary measures:
- Contact the parent or guardian and ask that they pick up their child/children from camp.
- Notify all families attending camp that week so they can be on the lookout for symptoms with their child/children.
- The individual with chickenpox will not be able to return to camp until 24 hours have passed since the last new lesion appeared.
- Clean and disinfect the spaces anyone who was found to have chickenpox occupied while at camp.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral illness that usually starts with a fever, reduced appetite, sore throat and a feeling unwell. One or two days after the fever starts, painful sores can develop in the mouth. A skin rash with red spots may also develop over one or two days, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. This illness is spread by coughing or sneezing. As it is almost impossible to prevent the spreading of any airborne germs, Hhand, foot and mouth disease unfortunately is highly contagious. If you think your child/children may have hand, foot and mouth disease, please consult your physician and immediately contact EDMO to inform us of possible exposure.
Should we learn of hand, foot, and mouth disease from a family or discover hand, foot, and mouth disease at camp, we will follow these precautionary measures:
- Contact the parent or guardian and ask that they pick up their child/children from camp.
- Notify all families attending camp that week so they can be on the lookout for symptoms with their child/children.
- The individual with hand, foot, and mouth disease will not be able to return to camp until 24 hours after their fever has resolved and their mouth sores and open blisters have healed.
- Clean and disinfect the spaces anyone who was found to have hand, foot, and mouth disease occupied while at camp.
Pink Eye
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is one of the most common and treatable eye conditions. It is an inflammation of the thin, clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and the white part of the eyeball. This inflammation makes blood vessels more visible and gives the eye a pink or reddish color. Pink eye can be very contagious and spread easily and quickly from person to person. You can reduce the risk of getting or spreading pink eye by washing hands, avoiding touching the eye area or sharing items like eyeglasses. If you think your child/children may have pink eye, please consult your physician and immediately contact EDMO to inform us of possible exposure.
Should we learn of pink eye from a family or discover pink eye at camp, we will follow these precautionary measures:
- Contact the parent or guardian and ask that they pick up their child/children from camp.
- Notify all families attending camp that week so they can be on the lookout for symptoms with their child/children.
- The individual with pink eye will not be able to return to camp until 24 hours after they have started treatment.
- Clean and disinfect the spaces anyone who was found to have pink eye occupied while at camp.
Scabies
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite. The most common signs and symptoms of scabies are intense itching (especially at night) and a pimple-like, itchy rash. Please note that scabies usually is spread by direct, prolonged, skin-to-skin contact with a person who already has it and a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread scabies. If you think your child may have scabies, please consult your physician and contact EDMO immediately to inform us of possible exposure.
Should we learn of scabies from a family or discover scabies at camp, we will follow these precautionary measures:
- Contact the parent or guardian and ask that they pick up their child/children from camp.
- Notify all families attending camp that week so they can be on the lookout for symptoms with their child/children.
- The individual with scabies will not be able to return to camp until 24 hours after they have started treatment.
- Clean and disinfect the spaces anyone who was found to have scabies occupied while at camp.
Online Camp/Class Safety:
Navigating online programs for kids can be a nerve-wracking endeavor for families but at EDMO® we have clearly defined safety measures in place to keep kids, their families and our staff safe online.
Our online safety policies include:
- Zoom links that are specific to each program and are only accessible once you register for a program.
- Moderated, waiting room check-in process where staff confirm participants with sign-in rosters.
- Cameras & mics set to “on” rule when kids enter a program to enable us to verify their identity.
- Zoom chat feature is disabled between kids in programs.
- A “floating” Camp Director to monitor participants and intervene should there be any inappropriate or behavioral issues.
We also strongly suggest that parents/guardians:
- Put a screen or background behind their child to obscure any living space.
- Establish family rules for sharing online. Remind children never to disclose their full address or other personal information to others.
- Practice with their children how to mute and unmute their audio so others are unable to hear any personal conversations.
Camp EDMO is American Camp Association Accredited!
At Camp EDMO, the quality of our programs and the safety of our campers and staff is our number one priority. Being an American Camp Association (ACA) accredited camp is not only a sign that we’ve set up our programs to achieve this end but a solid stamp of approval from the industry. The American Camp Association’s rigorous accreditation process and comprehensive peer review ensure the camps they accredit practice the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation and provide an environment committed to safety.
Among the ACA’s 290 unique standards are;
- requirements for health, cleanliness, food service, programming, staff, emergency protocol, health care and management.
- A process of 12 or more site visits, staff interviews and program documentation.
What is the Benefit of Accreditation?
As an accredited camp, not only are we able to proudly display the ACA logo on our website, but we can also tell our families that we provide:
- Staff-to-camper ratios that are appropriate for different age groups
- Counselors and Instructors with the proper educational background who have been appropriately trained to lead our enrichment programs
- Goals for camp activities that are developmentally based
- First-aid facilities and trained staff, layers of security for medications and emergency transportation when needed
- Access to a medical advisory board which includes a licensed nurse and paramedic
- Increased online and in-person safety training for staff
- On-site Emergency Binders to provide team members with immediate access to critical information
- And more…learn more at acacamp.org.
