At Camp Manitou, right from pre-camp, all staff are taught our motto 'Always challenge safety'. That means we take great measures to ensure the camp is an unquestionably safe environment and we spend considerable hours teaching our staff about all elements of risk management safety, health as well as the little things; watching out for dehydration, wearing of sun tan lotion, nutrition, eating habits, proper insect repellant use, allergy and anaphylaxis, and the list goes on and on. Our well equipped health center, located on camp property, includes two full time nurses / nursing students / R.P.N’s or health care assistants (a nurse who has completed their last year of school but have not officially received their license to practise) and one family physician/pediatrican - a team experienced in treating children. In addition, a large district hospital and medical center is only 20 minutes away. Of course, the necessary accident and emergency/fire procedures are taught to everyone in camp in case of emergency through our first aid training course given to all staff at precamp.

Sick call is twice a day as well as medical dispensing whenever necessary but more importantly our doctor and nurses/nursing students carry walkie talkies making sure they are always available within minutes! We also have a child psychologist and pediatric pharmacist on call, and available for advise if necessary as they live on site for most of the summer. We will attempt to notify all parents first before dispensing antibiotics so you are aware of any illness that may necessitate such medication and we will contact you of any medical issue of concern.

Of course our staff are appropriately trained in special first aid and wilderness training where appropriate, whether in canoe tripping, ropes, all swim and waterfront areas, each staff has the required certifications pursuant to not only Canadian law but also the Ontario Camping Association, and Canadian Camping Association.

I guess its best to sum up health and safety by saying that Mark Diamond, owner and director is neurotic driving us all crazy making sure that we cover all the bases all the time! Mark in fact is the chair of the standards review committee for the Ontario Camping Association, the committee responsible for revising all health and safety standards for all O.C.A. camps.