In the midst of all the fun, it’s important to us that you know how strong our focus is on your son’s safety. The health and safety of each and every La Junta camper continues to be our highest priority. Every year, without fail, we consult with industry safety experts to review what we’re already doing and discover whether any new safety advancements might be appropriate in our setting. We want to know!
Our driving determination to stay at the forefront of camp safety is fueled by heart-wrenching news we received in May of 2010. That’s when one of our campers bravely informed authorities that a counselor had touched him inappropriately while he was here at camp.
You can only imagine how fiercely determined we are to do everything in our power to prevent anything like that from ever happening again.
Be assured that throughout the year, our top priority is the summer safety of our campers and staff.
What We Do to Help Ensure the Safety of Your Child:
- Camp La Junta works with outside consultants and risk management experts to assure that our policies, procedures, safety and supervision guidelines meet our industry’s highest standards.
- Camp La Junta is ACA Accredited. The American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to ensure that current practices at camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. To earn accreditation, Camp La Junta completed a thorough review of our overall operation including over 300 quality standards defined by the ACA. These standards include child development, aquatics, risk management, health care professionals, staff qualifications and training, emergency management and program implementation to name a few.
- We receive annual inspections as a part of our State Licensing and are proud of our history of exemplary scores.
- We thoroughly vet each of our staff applicants which includes a face to face/Skype/Zoom interview, background check, references and social media search.
- We require different types of staff references – including past employers and a family member, (parents and immediate family know an applicant’s entire life history).
- All of our staff participates in an extensive training which covers the total camp experience from camper/staff interaction policies to dealing with homesickness to teaching a great and safe activity class.
- On Opening Night, La Junta directors talk to the entire camp as well as individual cabin groups about personal safety and the importance of reporting uncomfortable situations.
- We intensely communicate with campers and counselors about what is acceptable behavior (and what isn’t) and what to do in case of any issues.
- We encourage Parent/Camper Pre-Camp Advocacy Talks. We urge parents to talk with their sons before camp about our shower and safety policies, appropriate behavior, and the importance of reporting any and all issues. This helps ensure campers know in advance what staff will be telling kids when they arrive. For example, shower time policies are provided to families before camp, so campers will be comfortable when they see things are happening just as expected.
- We design and review our activity buildings and cabins to be open-concept spaces to prevent hidden spots.
- We include Anti-Bullying Training and intervention skills in staff training.
- We complete and review Camper Exit Surveys before our campers leave to gain more thorough knowledge of staff and camper experiences.
A successful, fun camp experience is a grand mix of program, philosophy and implementation – including ever-evolving advancements in child safety and parent involvement and communication. Camp La Junta has a 90-year legacy of challenging ourselves to be the best, so that your kids experience the best!