How We Keep Students Safe
1. We follow American Camping Association industry standards.
The ACA has guidelines and standards covering all aspects of adventure travel, camping, health and safety, staffing and much more.
2. We consult with medical professionals.
We have a relationship with medical professionals who also have served in the camp and retreat industry for many years.
3. We build strong relationships with locals and organizations in the areas we visit.
CFA reaches out to local officials (ie: park rangers, sheriff's offices, or even local camp directors) when we travel to new areas). They know our schedules and locations. We work with local officials to ensure areas are safe concerning wildlife, weather and any other potential risks to our group.
4. We hire exceptional staff that undergo a thorough background check process.
Face to face interviews, background checks, personal references, and experience is required for all staff. Also, staff are required to participate in staff training before the trips begin.
5. We communicate with parents, future campers and registered students.
We try to clearly and accurately describe to our participants what to expect on our trips. This experience may not be the right fit for everyone. Created for Adventure isn’t a behavior program or a treatment program to help teens get off drug addiction. Although there are many wonderful and inspiring programs that do offer that type of program, our staff simply do not have the training to offer that.
Our staff are great at building relationships and safely guiding young people on amazing adventures in some of the most beautiful places in the world.
We will help our campers prepare for their trip by sending a detailed packing list well in advance of departure. We will also send the camper a pre-trip questionnaire to help us get to know the camper before their trip begins.
We only work with vendors that meet a certain criteria of safety, quality and experience
Some of our activities are facilitated by professionals who bring a high level of expertise to our programs. Activities such as rafting, horseback riding, ice climbing, are all facilitated alongside our trip leaders. These companies have to complete a rigorous checklist reviewed by us and our insurance company to ensure they are the right fit.
6. We draw upon our own personal experience.
All of our trips have been carefully planned and designed by our directors who have personally visited, and selected the activities our campers will be doing.
Anytime you are head off into the wilderness, you will want to plan ahead to ensure the safest experience possible.
- Have Functional Gear: For example, make sure you pack shoes that withstand particular activities, flashlights with backup batteries, and backpacks built for long treks that support posture and back.
- Plan for the Weather. Don’t just consider precipitation, but temperature as well. A few suggestions would be sleeping bags that are built for the lowest temperatures of the trip, shoes that are waterproof or breathable considering the adventure, rain gear to prevent unexpected rain from making your clothes uncomfortable, lightweight, breathable clothes to prevent overheating in hotter environments, and layers and warm shoes for cold, snowy environments.
- Make a Packing List: Having a packing list will ensure that you don’t leave any important items behind and will also help you as you unpack and repack along your journey. We will email you a packing list after you register for one of our Adventure Trips. If you have questions about certain things that may help you in considering packing, send us a message.
- Get to Know Your Surroundings: Think through what kind of wildlife and plants are in the region you will be exploring, and if any of them pose any threats. Don’t go tramping in poison ivy, and don’t ever let your guard down while always being observant and watchful. Created for Adventure provides group gear such as bear proof containers and bear spray.
- Do Your Research: Consider the area you are going to. There are so many blogs out there and travel posts that talk about things to do and things to avoid. They may even have helpful tips to consider that you wouldn’t have thought of when you’re considering packing and what to watch out for.
Encouraging your child to take these steps will help build their sense of responsibility, as well as take care of half of your worry as a parent regarding their well-being. However, we know that’s not enough. You want to know what part we’re going to play in keeping your child at minimum risk of harm or danger, right? No worry, we’ve got you covered.
How Created for Adventure Helps Keep Students Safe During Adventure Camps
Every day we are put at risk.
When we get into a car, when we go into a grocery store, when your child plays a sport; whatever it is you are doing, they are taking risks.
We then begin risk management accordingly. We take all the precautions of protection during these endeavors, such as wearing a seatbelt and going the speed limit.
When we can be aware of our surroundings (aware of suspicious persons). When our children sign up for sports like football, we wrap them up in all kinds of protective gear, from shoulder pads to helmets.
No matter the risk management we initiate, we can not control the entire world. We can only play our part, which is why we call it risk management instead of safety guaranteed. As an organization, the biggest thing we do to support risk management is found in who we hire.