Yes! Avid4 Adventure takes great pride in Risk Management being an active part of our program. We have a robust Emergency Action Plan that is reviewed and updated every year by our leadership team, and all staff are trained on it before the start of camp.
How do you prepare before camp starts?
Emergency officials are alerted that we are operating in the area. EMS, Fire, Police, Search & Rescue and local hospitals are notified at the start of the season regarding our presence and what our program entails.
Leadership staff subscribe to county-level emergency alert systems for every area where we operate, and utilize monitoring resources including the Colorado Wildfire Information Center and air quality index tools.
Avid4 Adventure is licensed as a child care provider in the state of Colorado and accredited by the American Camp Association. There are a number of regulations and standards that we uphold to ensure our preparedness for the unexpected
Evacuation sites are confirmed before the season begins.
What does your Emergency Action Plan cover?
At Avid4 Adventure, we define an emergency as any situation that requires an immediate response to protect the safety and well-being of campers and staff. Emergencies may include severe weather, wildfire activity, serious injuries or illnesses, missing persons, transportation incidents, active threats, or any event that requires evacuation or assistance from emergency services.
All Programs:
All programs have an active threat plan and conduct drills with staff members. Active threats range from unauthorized people or active shooters to severe weather and events that would force an evacuation.
All camps have designated safe spaces and staff are trained to these locations.
All areas of operation have evacuation plans and staff are trained in evacuation and emergency protocols before campers arrive.
Leadership monitors weather, fire danger, and air quality throughout the summer using dedicated tools.
Overnight Programs:
Overnight camps have a detailed evacuation plan in the event of a mass evacuation. It includes, but is not limited to: monitoring resources, emergency contacts, evacuation locations, roles that staff would assume, step by step instructions for leaving camp, supplies needed, communications expectations and reunification procedures.
All Overnight Camp staff are trained on this evacuation plan through an active scenario based drill.
Managers monitor weather, fire danger, and air quality throughout the summer using dedicated tools to ensure the safety of our programs.
Weather conditions are monitored daily throughout the summer, particularly thunderstorms and lightning. When a storm is detected within 5 miles from camp, we initiate our lightning protocol: all campers and staff seek shelter indoors, and nobody heads back outside until at least 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike.
Staff that are with a group outdoors are trained to monitor changing weather conditions and act accordingly.
Each new session, campers complete an emergency drill on their first day of camp.
Overnight Camps have a detailed emergency transportation plan in case of evacuation.
Communication at Overnight Camps:
Overnight Camp staff carry radios during the day in order to quickly communicate across campus.
All leadership staff and nurses keep their radios on overnight, and each cabin is equipped with its own radio. Cabin staff can use these radios to communicate directly with leadership or receive emergency broadcast communications if there is an incident at night.
All backcountry trips carry a Garmin InReach that allows our leadership team to track their location and instructors to check in twice daily.
Are staff trained for this?
Every staff member reviews the evacuation plan during on-site training before camp begins, including a walk-through of escape routes, assembly locations, and individual roles. Leadership staff are trained on fire danger monitoring, Colorado's Ready-Set-Go framework used by local fire agencies, and how to communicate with county emergency services. We also designate a staff member specifically responsible for monitoring air quality and fire conditions during the summer.
Additionally, Avid4 Adventure maintains a thorough Critical Incident Handbook that details the steps we take in the event of a large-scale incident: from the initial response to ongoing support and management. The headquarters team participates in a Critical Incident Scenario annually, to test our processes and resources under pressure.
How will I be notified if something happens?
In the event of an emergency or an evacuation, your family will hear from us quickly. We will send a direct email and/or text message outlining the situation, your camper’s location and clear next steps, including the process for reunification if applicable.
We ask that families do not come to camp during an active evacuation unless specifically instructed. If we need you onsite, we'll tell you exactly where to go and when.
Additional Information about our severe weather policies can be found here.