SAFETY
at Bonclarken
SAFETY AT BONCLARKEN
For over 100 years, Bonclarken has been serving guests of all ages with an emphasis on Christian inspiration and renewal. A key component of this emphasis is our commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for all of our guests as part of the Bonclarken experience.
While we have many years of experience keeping our guests, campers, and staff safe, we approach safety with a desire for continued improvement and guest well-being. We do this by working with local health and emergency response officials, state agencies, independent accreditation organizations, and other camp professionals to continually review and update our facilities, equipment, safety policies and training. Bonclarken has been accredited by the American Camp Association since 2006.
FACILITIES | FOODSERVICE | RECREATION ACTIVITIES | WATERFRONT SAFETY
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS | EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
BONCLARKEN CAMPS HEALTHCARE | BONCLARKEN CAMPS ABUSE PREVENTION
Facilities
Our maintenance team performs routine inspections and preventative maintenance in all of our buildings and across our grounds. Licensed professionals help us maintain our electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other building systems. All of our housing, meeting spaces, and dining facilities are inspected annually by the Henderson County Fire Marshal and our elevators and boilers are inspected by the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL).
All sleeping quarters have smoke detectors, CO detectors (when indicated), fire extinguishers, secondary exits, and clearly posted emergency procedures. Routine inspections by our maintenance team and annual inspections by independent contractors ensure that our emergency equipment works correctly.
Our Guest Services team maintains the highest housekeeping standards, keeping our housing and meeting facilities clean and welcoming. Guest Services team members receive thorough training in cleaning methods and chemical use to ensure that each space is ready for guest use. Our housing facilities undergo annual North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) lodging and summer camp health inspections.
Foodservice
Our kitchen and dining facilities meet the same NCDHHS regulatory standards as all other public foodservice establishments. Our foodservice managers are ServSafe certified in foodservice management, food safety, and food handling.
Like our housing facilities, our foodservice preparation and serving areas are inspected regularly as foodservice establishments and undergo an additional evaluation as part of the North Carolina summer camp health inspection process through the Henderson County Department of Public Health.
While we are not an allergen-free facility, we do work hard to accommodate special dietary needs and work with guests and camper families so that everyone can enjoy our delicious food!
Bonclarken Food Allergies Policy
Recreation Activities
This section applies to the New Heights zipline; the climbing tower; the Leap of Faith;
Airsoft; and the indoor climbing wall, bouldering wall, and adventure elements.
- All adventure recreation is facilitated by staff who have been trained by an ACCT International-accredited vendor and have obtained American Red Cross 1st Aid/CPR/AED certification.
- All adventure elements and equipment must pass an annual professional inspection conducted by an ACCT International-accredited vendor.
- Recreation staff checks adventure elements, equipment, and protective gear for wear or concerns before each session.
- Protective gear is required, provided, sized and checked by recreation staff. Outside equipment is not permitted.
- Improvised rigging/harnessing is not permitted on any adventure recreation elements.
- Recreation participants must meet all requirements for the activity in order to participate.
- Recreation participants receive specialized safety instruction before participating in adventure recreation.
Waterfront Safety
- Certified lifeguards are present at all Bonclarken Pool and Lake activities and use of these facilities is limited to when lifeguards are on duty.
- Lifeguards must obtain American Red Cross lifeguard/1st Aid/CPR/AED certification.
- The pool is inspected annually by Henderson County Department of Public Health.
- Pool water is tested regularly to ensure it meets state health standards.
- Swimmers must pass a swimming test to access the deep end of the pool.
- Lifejackets and a safety orientation are required and provided for all boating activities.
- Swimming and outside watercraft in the Bonclarken Lake are strictly prohibited.
Retreats & User Group Safety
Organizations aligned with our nonprofit mission may rent our facilities for retreats, conferences, and other events. These user groups receive a written copy of Bonclarken group policies. These include information about user group responsibilities including safety, recommended healthcare planning and policies, guest behavior, youth supervision ratios, and screening policies for groups serving youth and children prior to arrival. User groups are encouraged to develop policies to meet these responsibilities as well as emergency action plans and training specific to their context and needs.
In case of serious concerns involving life-threatening conditions or injuries, guest groups are advised to call 911 immediately and notify Bonclarken once they have done so. We are blessed to be located less than three miles from our main fire and rescue station and less than a mile from a substation.
AEDs are located throughout campus at the Young Lodge, Founders Hall, the Youth Activity Building, the Dining Hall breezeway, and the main office (mid-August-May) and the swimming pool (May-mid-August).
Guests may also receive immediate assistance by calling the Bonclarken office during hours of operation or the administrator on-call when the office is closed.
Professional Standards
Hiring Practices
All Bonclarken Conference Center and Bonclarken Camps staff are selected through a thorough hiring and vetting process that includes a phone screen and director interview, comprehensive background check through ProtectMyMinistry, reference checks, National Sex Offender Registry checks, and annual voluntary disclosure statements.
Staff Training, Monitoring & Supervision
- Job safety/guest interaction training for conference center team members
- Camper safety, abuse prevention, and behavioral training for camp staff
- Emergency procedures training for camp & conference center staff
- Vehicle operation training for vehicle operators
- Conference center senior leadership monitors and supervises team members.
- Camp ministers, directors, and staff counselors monitor and supervise camp staff.
Emergency Procedures
User groups are encouraged to develop emergency action plans and training specific to their context and needs.
Emergency Action Plan
Bonclarken Conference Center and Camps have a clear Emergency Action Plan for common emergency situations that is shared with all team members. Elements of the EAP include protocols for health emergencies, weather emergencies and natural disasters, active shooter situations, and missing persons. Fire evacuation plans are posted in all sleeping facilities in addition to smoke detectors and emergency lighting.
Weather Emergencies & Natural Disasters
All of our housing facilities are located above the floodplain. We use multiple systems including our lightning detection system (Perry Weather) and weather alerts for monitoring. Bonclarken coordinates with local EMS and user groups on campus in the event of weather emergencies and natural disasters. Two-way radios and on-site generators allow us to maintain communications and limited power in case of a power outage.
Staff & Camper Training
Bonclarken Camps staff and campers receive training for common emergencies (e.g. fire, inclement weather) depending on age, responsibilities, context, and need. Staff members receive training prior to camp from an experienced law official educates our counselors on safety and preparation for active shooter situations and other emergencies
Bonclarken Camps Healthcare
- All Bonclarken Camps (Music/Drama Camp and Camp Bonclarken Sessions One and Two) employ on-site licensed and certified healthcare professionals, including medical doctors, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners to serve camper and camp staff medical needs.
- A Camp Healthcare Professional is available 24 hours a day to handle emergencies and routine camper medical needs including administering medication.
- Upon arrival at camp, all campers are checked for lice, fever, and other symptoms of infectious disease. All medication, prescription and OTC, must be turned over to the Camp Health Professionals at this time in original packaging that includes clear dosage instructions from the prescribing health professional.
- Advanced medical care is available at local urgent care and hospital facilities located less than 10 minutes from Bonclarken.
- A Wilderness First Aid-certified staff member accompanies all off-campus trips that travel more than 30 minutes outside of EMS coverage.
Bonclarken Camps Abuse Prevention
- Camp staff are educated by a licensed professional counselor on behavior management, boundaries, bullying, camper-staff interaction, abuse prevention, and abuse reporting during staff training.
- Male and female camp participants are housed in separate housing facilities.
- Counselors and campers do not share sleeping quarters.
- All shower and toilet stalls have locking doors.
- Camper shower time is separate from staff shower time.
- Campers are supervised according to American Camp Association ratios and staff are trained to avoid situations where they would be one-on-one with a camper.
- Senior staff are available throughout camp to listen and respond to camper and staff concerns.
Preparing for Camp
- Preparing Your Kids for Camp This Summer (Christian Camp & Conference Association)
- How to Choose a Camp (American Camp Association)
- Before You Go to Camp
