What safety precautions are you taking? 

Students are encouraged to stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. During inclement weather, including extreme heat, camp is delayed or canceled for the day.

We consult Open Evidence and use the Heat Index from the National Weather Service. Counselors carefully monitor students for symptoms of heat exhaustion, which include extreme sweating or thirst, cessation of sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, muscle pains, and confusion. If a child experiences any of these symptoms, we will immediately remove them from the activity and begin our rapid cooling plan; children will be provided with cold water, ice, cold towels, and a misting fan. If symptoms persist for longer than 20 minutes, we will call the child's emergency contact and ask that they be picked up from camp immediately.

If the forecast Heat Index taken the night before camp exceeds 96° (how "hot it feels" based on temperature and humidity), camp will be cancelled. We monitor the Heat Index throughout the day. Camp will end early if the Heat Index rises above 96°.

In the event that camp is cancelled, we will send an email the night before to inform you. If the Heat Index exceeds 96° during camp, we will send an email announcing an early pickup and ask that you pick up your child as soon as possible. 

We recommend acclimating your child to heat conditions by:

• Spending 1-2 hours per day playing outside during the week prior to attending camp

• Arriving to camp fully hydrated

• Sending children to camp with salty snacks to replenish sodium lost through sweat

• If you believe your child is severely susceptible to heat disorders or may be at high risk for heat exhaustion, we recommend they stay home from camp when temperatures exceed 90°. 

We are taking the following precautions:

• We use the National Weather Service's local Heat Index to determine whether camp should be cancelled or end early. According to Wilderness Medical Society (2024), "The Heat Index combines air temperature and humidity to reflect how "hot it feels." Higher humidity makes it harder for sweat to evaporate, so the body overheats more easily". 

• Our rapid cooling plan includes providing cold water, shade, ice, cold towels, and a misting fan. If an emergency occurs, we will provide a kiddie pool filled with ice and water, and emergency services will be called.

• The night before camp, if the forecast Heat Index exceeds 96° camp will be cancelled for the following day. 

• We will monitor the Heat Index throughout the day. If the Heat Index becomes dangerous as the day progresses, camp will end early for the day.

• When temperatures rise above 90°, all students remain under shaded pavilions between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.; lower-exertion activities will take place during this time. We implement a work-rest cycle; every 20 minutes of activity is followed by 20 minutes of rest.

• We will provide portable misting fans, which will reduce the risk of overheating.