Guardians of Adventure

⚠️ Lost Camper Lock-down Protocol:

• Blow 3 long whistle blasts to gather campers into a circle.
• Deploy buddy checks to confirm who is missing.
• Maintain position while using Radio Channel 2 to contact the Camp Office.

LEAD Counselor 1 (Front of Group)

Sets the walking pace. Watches for branches, insects, and trail washouts. Stops at all crossroads to regroup.

SWEEP Counselor 2 (Rear of Group)

Stays strictly behind the last camper. Checks for medical issues, loose shoelaces, or physical exhaustion.

"If you can't see both the Lead and the Sweep, you are moving too fast!"

SECTION: HIKING TRAIL SAFETY

SLIDE 4 / 6

4. Boating & Waterfront Protocols

CRITICAL SUPERVISION

Waterfront Control Zone

The camp waterfront has a hard restriction. No boats may leave the docks unless standard guard posts are active and buddy checks are registered on the master board.

🚨 Dam Spillway Safe Boundary:

A line of red buoys marks the 100-foot perimeter around the dam spillway at the North end. Under no conditions are boats allowed beyond these safety markers.

1. PFD Quick-Check Protocol

Lifejackets must be US Coast Guard Approved. Tighten chest straps so there is no gap when lifted at the shoulders.

2. The Buddy Board Process

Campers flip tags to "ACTIVE". Call for buddy checks every 10 minutes from the control tower.

3. Capsizing Action Plan

"Stay with the boat!" Hold onto hull, wait for recovery vessel. Never swim alone to shore.

SECTION: WATERFRONT & BOATING

SLIDE 5 / 6

5. Weather Matrix & Evacuations

30/30 LIGHTNING RULE

⚡ Lightning & Thunder

If thunder is heard or lightning is spotted within 10 miles, evacuate all outdoor environments immediately. Seek indoor lodge structures.

⏱️ Restart the 30-minute safe timer with every new flash or rumble.

☀️ Extreme Heat Index

When indices climb past 95°F, limit climbing, archery, and trail walking to 20-minute blocks. Mandatory shades and water stations are required.

💧 Rotate active groups to swimming docks for rapid cooling.

💨 High Wind Conditions

Winds above 25 MPH require immediate closure of Ropes Course high elements. Ground all archery bows. Move kayaks and canoes to safe harbor.

🪵 Remain alert to falling branches or deadwood on wilderness trails.

SECTION: WEATHER MATRIX & EVACUATIONS

SLIDE 6 / 6

How to Teach the H-C-H-B Inspection Checklist:

1. Harness (Touch Check)

Slide hand under belt. Must be snug above hip bones. Check that safety strap double-backs completely over buckle.

2. Carabiner (Gate Check)

Squeeze the gate. Must be locked closed. Ensure spine points toward load. Gate must not rub harness loops.

3. Helmet (Fit Check)

Helmet must sit level on forehead. Shake head test. Chin strap snug (only 2 fingers fit under strap).

4. Belay (Rope Check)

Ensure rope routes safely through friction device. Check ground anchor connections. Backup belayer holds tail slack.

⚠️ Core Drill Practice: "The Belay Blind Spot"

Have a camper start climbing without giving vocal cues. Train the counselor to yell "STOP! Verify Belay!". The climber must not proceed until full voice checks are completed.

YMCA CAMP OUTDOOR CENTER — LEADER GUIDE PAGE 2

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Facilitating Section 3: Trail & Group Supervision (Slide 4)

The 122-acre campus features dense foliage and rocky paths. Group control keeps wild animals at bay and stops camper wandering.

🌲 Core Trail Training Exercises:

• Pacing Drills: Practice establishing the Lead and Sweep positions. Have one camper try to pull ahead, and have the Lead physically block and remind them of the single-file line.
• Headcount Checkpoints: Call out headcounts at every trail intersection. If the numbers do not match, the sweep immediately locks the group in place.
• Lost Camper Simulation: Hide a fake "dummy" on a trial run. When counselors discover a missing camper, test their whistle reaction and radio protocol.

Facilitating Section 4 & 5: Boating, Waterfront, & Weather (Slides 5-6)

Waterfront and lightning conditions present active threats. Action protocols must be lightning-fast.

Waterfront & Boating Demonstration Notes:

Walk counselors to the main boat docks. Demonstrate how to inspect a USCG Type III PFD. Pull hard at the shoulder straps. If the vest slips up over the camper's ears, it is loose and unsafe. Show the buddy board and demonstrate turning active tags.

Evacuation & Weather Matrix Scenarios:

Explain the 30/30 rule. On hearing thunder, counselors must lead campers to the Main Lodge instantly. Explain that tents, trees, or lakeside pavilions are NOT safe lightning shelters.

YMCA CAMP OUTDOOR CENTER — LEADER GUIDE PAGE 3

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Counselor Safety Competency Checklist (Practical Test)

To be cleared for independent camper supervision, every counselor must demonstrate 100% execution accuracy on these physical safety tests.

Archery Commands Test:

Correctly demonstrates the 5 main vocal safety commands.

Cease-Fire Whistle Drill:

Reacts to visual hazard within 2 seconds of cease fire call.

Double-Back Harness Check:

Identifies harness routing errors on mock climber.

Belay Communication Echo:

Perfect vocal confirmation without missing a phrase.

PFD Sizing & Pull Check:

Tightens life vest properly; performs shoulder pull test.

Radio Operations (Channel 2):

Performs clear radio transmission with the camp lodge.

PARTICIPANT NAME:

TRAINER SIGN-OFF:

Facilitation Scenario Cards (Test & Discuss)

Scenario A: High Wind Danger

You are leading a climbing wall activity when winds hit 30 MPH. Tree limbs are swaying wildly over the belay station.

🔑 Resolution:

Evacuate the ropes course immediately. Bring climbers down smoothly. Move to the Main Lodge shelter. Archery/boating must also pause.

Scenario B: Capsized Canoe

Two campers lose balance on the lake, capsizing their kayak 100 feet from the shoreline dock.

🔑 Resolution:

Blow whistles for Lifeguard. Instruct campers to cling to boat hull. Dispatch rescue vessel. Do not allow them to swim to shore alone.

YMCA CAMP OUTDOOR CENTER — LEADER GUIDE PAGE 4