Camper Safety

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Your camper’s safety is our number one priority!

We take steps for the safety of all campers and staff right from the very beginning.

  • All Lutherhaven staff are carefully screened, undergo a thorough interview, reference checks, and federal criminal background checks and get two weeks or more of professional training before campers arrive. Read about how we train our staff.
  • Staff review and follow set policies, procedures and practices developed by the best camp professionals in the nation, and are dedicated to a high level of safety in all activities.
  • Campers and camp staff wear protective safety equipment during activities. We wear activity specific helmets for rock climbing, zip-lining, and horseback riding.
  • Our rock climbing, high ropes, mid-ropes & low-ropes courses are regularly inspected, safe, and up to date with industry standards. High ropes facilitators undergo 18 hours of safety training.  During these activities, a certified Lutherhaven staff member will give thorough safety talks and follow proper safety procedures for each activity.
  • Campers are supervised and rules for safety are verbally reviewed at the very start of camp. Upon arriving to camp, campers are instructed that they must always travel in groups of threes and may not leave the group without letting their counselor know. Within the first 24 hours of camp, we have an emergency procedures drill. All campers and Lutherhaven staff practice specific procedures for possible emergency scenarios including lightning, fire, wildlife, lost camper and intruder in camp.
  • All leadership staff carry walkie-talkies to communicate with other leadership staff and Lutherhaven office staff for quick communication or in case of an emergency.
  • The Lutherhaven Healthcare Manager has the camper’s health forms, medicine, and a stocked first aid cabinet. We review every camper’s health form and screen for any potential problems before the camper arrives at camp. Once campers arrive, we check for any health updates or issues.
  • We supervise and teach campers how to properly use all equipment to avoid any potential injuries associated with everyday camp life.
  • Our facilities and outdoor equipment are tested, maintained, and annually certified.
  • Staff are all nationally certified in first aid and CPR; waterfront staff are all Red Cross certified lifeguards.
  • Campers must pass a swim check before using the waterfront to determine their strength as a swimmer. All campers are paired with a buddy at the waterfront and camper checks are performed every fifteen minutes (during camper checks, all campers leave the water and return to their counselor to ensure no one is missing). Non-swimmers must wear a life jacket to participate in any water activity or must remain in shallow areas.
  • Food served at camp always includes fruits and vegetables. Alternatives can be provided in case of food allergies. See below more details on food safety and allergies.

Allergy Information

Food Safety at Camp

Lutherhaven Ministries endeavors to provide the safest environment possible at all times for all our guests. This includes food safety.

With an increase over the last several years in food allergies, Lutherhaven works to accommodate guests with one or more of the “Top 8” food allergens recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration, foods that cause 90% of all food allergic reactions.

Eight most common food allergies:

  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Wheat
  • Soy
  • Fish
  • Shellfish

Among this group peanuts and tree nuts are the most common severe allergy and can often be life threatening. Therefore, we follow the national movement to remove all peanut and tree nut products from our kitchen menus. We do not add peanut and tree nut products to our prepared food items. We also do not serve shellfish to guests at camp.

Campers with other food allergies, intolerances, lifestyle choices or concerns may need to refrain from certain food items at camp, or provide their own food.

Please note: Although we do not add peanut and tree nut products to our prepared items, we do have individual packets of peanut butter and jam for use by campers at their individual tables. Peanut butter packets are kept at the food counter. Campers are able to purchase pre-packaged items that contain peanuts in the Trading Post (granola bars, candy bars, packaged trail mix, etc.). Camp Counselors do watch for care packages that are sent to their campers, in the event they contain allergens that could threaten another cabin campers.

For those campers with airborne peanut/nut allergies, we work together to find the best solution for the week.

Epi-Pens

Campers requiring an epi-pen should bring two with them to camp. One to carry with them and another for the Health Care Manager to keep in the Health Center.

Celiac Disease

Our kitchens are not equipped to meet the strict food handling requirements of guests with this disorder. Guests with Celiac Disease should plan on bringing their own food.

Allergy Identification Bracelets

Campers with life threatening or severe health allergies or health conditions are flagged at registration with a green identifying wrist band. Any camper coming with and requiring an epi-pen for an allergic reaction is flagged.

Please contact Lutherhaven Ministries with questions or concerns.

Have Questions?

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s time at camp. Call our Summer Camp Registrar at (208) 667-3459 ext. 123 or summercamp@lutherhaven.com

Fabulous staff. My daughter felt totally comfortable, and loved all the teaching and activities. She grew in her relationship with Christ.
Karen Thompson
Camper Mom

Have further questions about camp?