Safety and Camper Care
Camper Safety
Your child's safety is our number one priority while he or she attends Camp Ozark. While Camp Ozark cannot completely eliminate the possibility of a child becoming ill or being injured while at Camp Ozark, we do recognize that before the "camp experience" can be anything else to the child, it must be a secure environment for the child to learn and grow. That is why we at Camp Ozark thoroughly train our staff and employ stringent safety and health standards.
More Safety Procedures Include:
- 1. A resident physician who is available 24 hours per day (Our primary physician, Dr. Secily Torn, is a Board Certified Pediatrician who assists in developing and endorsing Camp Ozark's Health Protocols.
- 2. Two complete Health Centers, staffed by as many as eight registered nurses. (Susan Torn is a registered nurse who has practiced camp nursing for over 25 years).
- 3. Systematic, regular evaluations and inspections of activities, equipment, facilities and modes of transportation to ensure that they are functioning in compliance with our standards.
- 4. Consistent evaluation of our compliance with all of the American Camp Association standards regarding safety, health and operations. Camp Ozark has achieved a perfect score on all of our accreditation visits by the American Camp Association which means we have been in compliance with over 300 standards and sub-standards.
- 5. Strict medical protocols developed in consultation with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), the Arkansas Department of Health and Infectious Disease Specialists (Texas Children's Hospital) are in place to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
- 6. Using the combination of prevention and intervention to attempt to ensure a camp environment of health and wellness. Prevention of illnesses at Camp Ozark revolves around the "Big 5" - Handwashing, Hydration, Nutrition, Sunscreen and Sunglasses and Adequate Rest.
- 7. All summer staff are trained and certified by the American Red Cross in CPR/First Aid. In addition, staff are trained to handle and operate AED's (Artificial Electronic Defibulators).
- 8. All campers are required to wear life jackets while participating in most water activities at Camp Ozark. The two exceptions to this are when there is controlled lap swimming and at our waterslides where there is a 1:2 lifegaurd to swimmer ratio. Annually, the Red Cross certifies approximately 100 summer staff as Lifeguards at Camp Ozark. All water front and lake front activities are monitored by certified lifeguards.
- 9. Our Lake front activities are staffed by certified lifeguards who have completed the Arkansas Boater's Safety Course. In addition, the lake staff is trained using curriculum from the American Water Ski Association.
- 10. All challenge course activities are constructed and operated following Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) industry accepted guidelines. Elements and equipment are professionally inspected each year. Our instructors receive rigorous on-site training and are supervised by ACCT certified facilitators.
- 11. Our riflery, archery and skeet ("shooting sports") staff are trained and certified under the guidance of the National Rifle Association certified instructor. In all shooting sports areas, safety guidelines are strictly enforced. All campers and staff must be oriented by an Ozark instructor before they are allowed to participate in our shooting sports areas. For added safety we have a minimum age limit of 12 at our skeet range, and all of our rifles are tethered to the range deck at the rifle range.
- 12. The Camp Ozark health center is equipped to handle most minor emergencies with an Emergency Medical Kit (Banyan) and 3 AEDS, strategically located throughout the camp premises, to stabilize a person in a Life-threatening situation. In case of a life threatening emergency 911, emergency assistance is available from Mount Ida, Arkansas which is less than 20 minutes from Camp Ozark. The EMS system has paramedics that are in contact with St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Life Flight is also available. All campers who are off- site are accompanied by staff members with either cell phones or radios whereby emergency assistance may be requested. All Camp Ozark Summer Staff are required to be CPR certified.
Staff Screening
At Camp Ozark, it is our goal to create a secure environment for your child. Camp Ozark goes to great lengths to ensure that our staff is properly screened during the application and interview process and then thoroughly trained so that your child will be surrounded by the finest young Christian role models that colleges around the country have to offer.
More Here are just some of the steps that Camp Ozark takes in selecting our Summer Staff.
- Camp Ozark is highly selective during the interview process and only selects about 550 summer staff members from approximately 2200 interviews at 35 college campuses around the country.
- Each applicant receives a behavioral interview where Camp Ozark's permanent staff are trained not only to evaluate the content of each interview answer, but also any risk characteristics that may be demonstrated by the interviewee while answering certain questions. Each interviewer is trained to look for "red flags" that include, but are not limited to any indication of dishonesty, odd behaviors, defense mechanisms, or potentially inappropriate lifestyle tendencies.
- Each new applicant is required to submit an application that, among other things, includes at least 3 references. Camp Ozark asks the references questions regarding the applicant's character, work history, and any behavioral issues that may preclude them from providing a safe and wholesome environment for your child.
- Camp Ozark runs a criminal background check on each new summer staff member every year.
- Every staff member at Camp Ozark must complete Aramatus sexual abuse training that focuses on prevention, recognition, and reporting before they arrive at Camp Ozark. Each staff member is trained on how to monitor interactions between staff members and those that are in their care.
- Upon arrival at Camp Ozark, every summer staff member that directly interacts with children is thoroughly trained in the areas of camper safety and well-being.
If you have any more questions regarding our staff interviewing, screening, or selection process, please contact Debbie Priddy, Assistant Director of Human Resources, at Debbie@campozark.com.
Health and Wellness
All campers must fill out a Health History, which is reviewed by our Camp Ozark staff upon receipt before the session begins. All allergies are entered in the Camper's Health Data Base. If there are any conditions or past history that need additional explanation, the parent will be contacted by telephone or e-mail. An initial health screening is conducted by the Medical Staff upon arrival at Camp Ozark if traveling by private vehicle. The Camp Ozark Top Staff accompanies and administers the initial health screening for those traveling by bus or airplane. This screening helps rule out communicable diseases.
Medications - Handling and Dispensing
Camp Ozark facilitates the mandatory service of pre-packing campers' medication in preparation for camp. The nurses dispense the medications at all meal times and at bedtime. For exceptions, please contact us or send us an email.
Prevention
The Camp Ozark Medical Staff, along with the Summer Staff, implement preventative measures to ensure the campers have the best possible camp experience. To reduce the spread of germs, we call these proactive steps "The Big 5" which include Hand Washing, Hydration, Nutrition, Rest and Sun Protection.
More Here are just some of the steps that Camp Ozark takes in selecting our Summer Staff.
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Hand Washing
All cabins and public areas have foam hand sanitizers available and campers are required to use them when coming and going. In addition, staff members oversee hand washing before and after every meal.
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Hydration
All campers are encouraged to take frequent water breaks during their activities. Water Bottles may be filled up at the Dining Hall. The Camp Ozark store is open for drinks and water at least 2 times a day. Water fountains are strategically located through out the cabin areas and playing fields.
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Nutrition
A well balanced, kid friendly menu that features "scratch cooking" is served at all three meals. In addition, a breakfast, lunch and dinner bar consisting of healthy food options is available for those campers not choosing the main hot food line.
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Rest
All campers have a rest period after lunch. Campers must be in their bunks during this time, but may read mail or books, write letters or rest. The cabin counselor is always in the cabin during rest period. Younger campers go to bed an hour earlier than older campers.
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Sun Protection
Sunscreen in available in all cabins, program areas, water areas and at the lake. Campers are supervised in applying sunscreen by their staff members. Also wearing sun glasses is strongly encouraged.
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Identification/Treatment
The medical staff follows the Camp Ozark Protocols that are written and reviewed every year by our Primary Camp Physician. In addition, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines as they relate to summer camps are monitored. Camp Ozark partners with The Arkansas State Health Department in developing its guidelines. The Medical staff refers to these guidelines when treating with Over the Counter Medications. Any medical issues identified that require a Doctor's attention are referred to our on site Physician.
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Notification of Parents
Should your child become ill or injured while at Camp Ozark, parents will be timely notified if, at the sole discretion of the Camp Ozark Medical Staff, such notification is warranted. If at any time you have a question or concern regarding the health status or safety of your child, please feel free to contact Camp Ozark. We will be happy to discuss said issue with you.
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Hygiene Checks
All two-week campers are screened during the middle weekend for any health issues that may need attention. The medical staff checks the campers for general cleanliness, sores or rashes that need attention or referral to our Camp Physician for further investigation and treatment.
One week campers 10 years old or younger have their hygiene check during the latter part of their stay at camp. The medical staff checks the campers for general cleanliness, sores or rashes that need attention or referral to our Camp Physician for further investigation and treatment.
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Medical Emergencies
The Camp Ozark health center is equipped to handle most minor emergencies with an Emergency Medical Kit (Banyan) and 3 AEDS, strategically located throughout the camp premises, to stabilize a person in a Life-threatening situation. In case of a life threatening emergency 911, emergency assistance is available from Mount Ida, Arkansas which is less than 20 minutes from Camp Ozark. The EMS system has paramedics that are in contact with St. Joseph's Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Life Flight is also available. All campers who are off- site are accompanied by staff members with either cell phones or radios whereby emergency assistance may be requested. All Camp Ozark Summer Staff are required to be CPR certified.
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Allergies
Campers that have any type of allergy, whether food, drug, environmental or other, must notify Camp Ozark via the Health Form or in writing before the camper's session begins. All allergies are entered into the camper's database. The "Camp Ozark Allergy Form" must be filled out indicating the allergen, the reaction and the treatment if exposure occurs. If the camper has a potentially life threatening allergy, a black band will be placed on their wrist on their arrival, with their allergy written on the band. Food allergies must be discussed with the Food Services Director in advance of the session and alternatives planned for the session. Supplemental foods are usually requested.
