Our #1 Concern
Parents ask us questions about safety more than any other subject and we believe that's how it should be. Your children are your most prized possessions and we take it very seriously that you are entrusting them to us for the day. That is why we spend countless hours reviewing and strategizing our safety measures both internally and in meetings with the Professional County Lifeguards.
We are very proud of the fact that the area Chief of Lifeguards assured us that ours is the safest beach camp he has ever seen. Here below are some of the factors that should be of interest to you.
- Older Staff - The average age of our staff is 31 years old, which includes many local teachers and parents just like you. With an older staff, we can truly focus on your child's development and well being. An older staff ensures more responsible, mature caretakers for your child.
- All Staff are CPR Certified - We recertify our staff every year to guarantee current knowledge of lifesaving techniques.
- 6:1 Camper to Counselor Ratio - We maintain a very low camper to counselor ratio to make sure your child is safe and also having an amazing summer experience. We lower that ratio for surfing (3:1) and paddling (2:1) to guarantee added safety in the water.
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Water
Safety - We provide many layers of water safety to protect
your child. Counselors are placed directly in the water with the children
while on-staff life guards watch from the beach. Professional Life guards
are on constant look-out directly behind and adjacent to our camp and
our directors and owners continually adjust staff ratios as children
move about so that our guaranteed ratios are maintained. - Chaperoned Bathroom Visits - At no time will your child walk to the restroom without a staff member. We practice the "buddy" system and we also have dedicated "bathroom runners" on staff. This means that when your child needs to use the bathroom, they find a friend (buddy) and together they go to our bathroom attendants (one male, one female) and are chaperoned to the restroom. Our bathroom runner will remain in the restroom with your child. Campers are then escorted back to the camp site by their chaperone.
- Camp Boundaries - Our camp boundaries are clearly defined by orange traffic cones and fluorescent tape. This helps both the life guards and staff members recognize if either campers are outside the camp or if the public comes into the camp.
- Sunscreen - Sun damage is a major concern of parents
for children who spend time outside. That's why we require
parents
to liberally apply sunscreen to their children prior to arriving at
camp. We then have mandatory counselor-assisted sunscreen re-application
using SPF 45 before campers are allowed to eat their lunch. We also
re-apply sunscreen in the afternoon, especially for campers coming out
of the water, as this is when they are most susceptible to burns. - Shade - Shade is another very important aspect for consideration when children are playing outside and there is plenty to be found under our 10’ x 10’ cabanas. To encourage our campers to cool off in the shade during the day, we provide a variety of games and activities that are based under the cabanas.
- Water Coolers - Along with sunscreen and shade, hydration is key for a happy camper. We provide coolers full of drinking water situated throughout the camp and make repeated announcements encouraging campers to take a break and take a drink.
- Brightly Colored Camp Uniforms - All campers must wear our FBS rash guard for easy identification by both our staff and lifeguards. This is both a requirement from the Lifeguards and from FBS. It is imperative that we be able to quickly spot any campers who are associated with FBS.
Security
Guard* - A Security Guard is always present at camp watching
the entire area to make sure campers do not go beyond our boundaries
at any time and also to make sure than no one from the public enters
our camp without first checking in with our management staff. *Pacific Palisades location only. - Camp Rules - Our rules are reviewed daily with the
campers. (1) Drink Plenty of Water (2) Never Go To the Bathroom Alone
(3) Reapply Sunscreen (4) Don't Go Beyond the Cones (5) Throw Trash
in the Cans
