Safety First: Understanding Our Layers of Supervision and Camper-to-Staff Ratios

One of the most important questions parents ask when touring a camp is,

“What is your camper-to-counselor ratio?”

Your child’s safety is our top priority. We go beyond standard ratios with a layered supervision system, ensuring constant, high-quality care in every area of camp.

Here is a breakdown of the dedicated staff members who create our strong foundation of supervision:

Group Leadership: The Home Base

At the helm of each group is the Group Leader, the adult in charge. They are the eyes and ears of the group and will be your primary contact throughout the summer. Our Group Leaders work with children during the year—they are truly the parent of the group.

In recent summers, we have also added the extra layer of an Assistant Group Leader to many of our groups, providing even more support and leadership.

Counselors: Big Sisters and Big Brothers

Every group is supported by a dedicated team of Counselors who travel from activity to activity with their specific group. These staff members act as the big sisters and big brothers to our campers.

To ensure no child is ever overlooked, each counselor is assigned a smaller Squad of children within their group. This counselor is responsible for making sure their Squad is:

• Safely getting from one activity to the next.
• Properly applied with sunscreen.
• Drinking enough water.
• Packing up at the end of day.
• Cubby maintenance.
• Supported and encouraged throughout the day.

Specialists: Experts in Every Area

When a group arrives at an activity area, they are greeted by the Head Specialist and their team who run that area. Specialists are experts in their field, leading the instruction and organization of each individual activity. Our Group Counselors then give critical support, maintaining the group’s safety and engagement while the Specialist focuses on the activity itself.

Pool Coverage: Safety in Numbers

Supervision is most critical at the pool, and our procedures reflect that. When a group enters the pool area, the coverage is layered for maximum safety:

• Lifeguards: Two lifeguards are always positioned in the chairs (one at the deep end and one at the shallow end) before any campers enter the water.
• In-Water Staff: Before instructional swim begins, an additional 4–6 lifeguards will enter the pool to create a grid of in-water supervision.
• Group Staff Support: Once the lifeguards are positioned, the Group Counselors enter the water with the campers, and the Group Leader and Assistant Group Leader circle the pool deck, overseeing all activity.

Our Group Ratios (Camper to Counselor)

Our dedication to safety is clearly reflected in our low camper-to-counselor ratios:

• Nursery: 4:1
• Kindergarten: 5:1
• First Grade: 6:1
• Second Grade: 7:1
• Third Grade through Eighth Grade: 8:1

By maintaining these ratios and implementing our system of layered supervision, we ensure that every camper has a safe, positive, and well-supervised experience at camp!