We understand and value the trust that parents bestow on us with the care of their child(ren). We take our responsibility seriously. Three Trails Camp maintains the highest level of safety and standards in operation of all our activities at camp. Our summer and full time staff are carefully screened, trained, and dedicated to a high level of safety. Our facilities and outdoor equipment are tested, maintained, inspected and certified. Three Trails Camp has a comprehensive risk management plan. This plan is reviewed and approved by the Three Trails Camp Staff and by the American Camp Association as part of the ongoing accreditation process.

Medical Care and Policies
Three Trails has medical policies in place and follows them.
In the event of an unexpected accident, there is always our Health Care Director on call to tend to your child’s needs. Also, if needed, the local hospital is only a short drive away.  We utilize Children’s Mercy East for our urgent care needs.
All Lifeguards and our Health Care Director are trained in First Aid and CPR and are on-site and available 24 hours per day.  Sick children are isolated from other campers and parents will be called to bring sick campers home as necessary.

Health Forms
Three Trails requires that all parents/guardians fill out a camper medical form to have on file.  These forms help our medical staff know your camper’s medical history in the event they are sick. These forms are confidential.

Medication
Medications are distributed at breakfast, lunch, activities, dinner, and bedtime.  All medications are turned into camp staff and MUST include the prescription for the specified camper. Over-the-counter medications approved by parents/guardians are given at the discretion of the camp medical staff and is provided by camp at no additional cost.
We have over-the-counter medications that are available for distribution when needed at camp. Please make us aware of any restrictions you child has to over-the-counter medications.

Emergencies
Three Trails Camp is served by 911 emergency services.  Parents will be notified any time a camper requires more than basic first aid treatment.  Your signature on the health form gives emergency services permission to treat your child if you cannot be reached in advance and gives Three Trails Camp permission to provide the over-the-counter medications.

Food Allergies
Three Trails Camp understands that campers will have food allergies.  In most cases we are able to provide an alternative food to ensure a positive dining experience during their time at camp.  We are not a gluten free kitchen. Please be sure to note any food allergies on the medical form. Campers are able to provide an alternate meal option themselves when needed.

Safe From Harm Policy
View the standard guidelines The Salvation Army employs to take care of children, youth and vulnerable adults.
All adult staff 18 and over go through background and reference checks. 

Inclement Weather
Three Trails Camp monitors the National Weather Service radio. Whenever Three Trails is included in Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Watches, we move all campers close to areas of shelter, and move them into shelters during warnings.  The pool, and ropes course are not used when lightning is near. We monitor campers water intake throughout the day and are especially aware during heat advisories.

Homesickness
Our staff is excellent in working with and helping homesick campers deal with homesickness.  It is very rare for one of our campers to leave camp early due to homesickness.  The best way for a camper to remain homesick is when you say you will come get them.  Please do not promise your child that if they are homesick you will come pick them up.  Campers who are homesick usually grow tremendously during their time at camp, and are proud of themselves when the session is over and they see how much they have personally accomplished.
If at any time you are worried about your camper being homesick,  we invite you to call our Youth Office and speak with one of our staff who would love to talk with you about your child:

During office hours (Monday – Friday 8am-4pm) you can call 816-350-0053.

After hours, you should call 816-478-5645.

Positive Discipline and Trauma-informed Care
Camp is a safe place where everyone belongs.  All campers are instructed to treat each other as they would like others to treat them.  Campers will be asked to follow the directions of camp staff through cooperation and mutual respect. Staff will be trained in Positive Discipline methods. If a child is unable to cooperate, they will be encouraged to remember the camp rules, provided with a positive time out/cooling off period from activities and/or re-directed.  If campers are not able to respect others or cause harm to campers/ staff, parents will be contacted to discuss solution.  Some infractions are serious enough to warrant campers being sent home without warning.
Trauma-informed care is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, diligence, and communication. Camp staff are trained in the basics of trauma-informed supervision, crisis prevention, de-escalation, intervention and positive conflict resolution.  Campers are encouraged to air frustrations with other campers and staff in a positive way. Our staff is trained to teach campers positive ways to express frustration and seek solutions. Campers are supported and supervised as they navigate their way from past experiences and habits to positive resolution. 

Certificate and Training For Recreation Activities and Facilities
All of Three Trails Camp’s Ropes Course elements are inspected and approved by Challenge Quest, LLC. All elements are operated and supervised by our staff who have been fully trained and certified to do so, ensuring your child’s comfort and safety.
Our swimming pool is inspected by the Health Department and is facilitated by trained and experienced staff.  Each lifeguard is certified in Life Guarding, CPR, AED and First Aid.  Your child will be in good hands while at Three Trails Camp.
Our Camp Kitchen and Candy Shop is certified and inspected by the Health Department and our staff have Food Handlers Permits. 

Camp Environment

Upon arrival at Camp, all campers are oriented to Three Trails Camp. This includes instruction on expected camper behavior and an orientation to the site. Campers learn appropriate conduct and areas that are off-limits.  

There are areas of natural risk around camp, including a creek and rocks bluffs; these areas are off-limits to campers without explicit program design. The camp schedule leaves little time for campers to roam away from program areas and activities. 

Areas of Three Trails Camp facilities that pose risks to children, such as the kitchen, maintenance shop and pool house are off-limits to campers. Maintenance is charged with keeping chemical storage areas, where risks are present, locked at all times.

High Risk Activities

High and Low Ropes Course

Activities such as the high ropes course, low ropes elements and adventure swing are conducted only with trained and certified instructors. Campers wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets and harnesses. Participants are belayed by instructors. Proper spotting techniques are taught and reviewed regularly. 

Our ropes course is regularly inspected by a qualified challenge-course professional, in accordance with requirements of the American Camp Association. The license for the challenge course is renewed annually prior to the start of every season.

Swimming Pool and Swimming

The swimming pool is surrounded by a fence and kept locked when not in use. Swimming is permitted only at times approved by the camp director(s) and in the presence of a certified life guard.

Campfire

Campfires are a part of the summer camp experience at Three Trails Camp. The facilities include three distinct campfire areas for group campfires. Campfires are lit and supervised by trained staff, and camper seating areas are well-back from the open fire. The purpose of the fire itself is to provide atmosphere and light for skits and songs, not to warm children on summer nights. Campers are instructed to bring flashlights and appropriate clothing to campfires, and staff completely extinguish campfires at the end of the campfire activity.

Shooting Sports

Campers participating in shooting sports will be supervised by two or more staff who have been screened and undergone shooting sports training. Safety procedures will be taught and followed throughout the duration of the shooting sport activity and will adhere to a minimum age requirements.

Standard Response Protocols

Three Trails Camp has established a relationship with local police and fire departments.  We have shared pre-planned entry/exit routes and any necessary access codes for the local fire department, law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS), etc. Our staff is trained on our emergency procedures and how to manage urgent situations such as weather-related issues, missing campers, active threats or fire. 

Our standard response protocols (SRP)⁷ are outlined below.

Hold: “Hold in your lodge or meeting space/ program area” is used when there is an issue in a specific part of the camp that is under control, but not yet fully removed. Business as usual within the programs area; doors closed. Remain in place until an all clear is announced.

Shelter: Ordered when personal protection is necessary from dangerous weather conditions such as a tornado, blizzard, or hail. May also be ordered in the event of a hazmat situation in the area.

Evacuate: Ordered when people must exit the building (or camp) due to unsafe circumstances. If camper pick-up or off-site reunification is required, instructions will be communicated by the camp staff. Staff should bring phones if they are readily available. 

Lockout: Ordered when there is an issue outside the building/off camp property, most often due to police activity in the area that could pose a threat. If possible, campers will be moved to buildings. All exterior doors/gates are locked. “Business as usual” continues inside the building/camp. Staff must have an increase in situational awareness.

Lockdown: Ordered when there is a threat inside the building (or on camp). Campers and staff are secured in the designated buildings. Camp staff does not communicate during a lockdown. Parents are not allowed on site during a lockdown. Interior doors are locked/barricaded, the lights should be out, and all should do their best to remain out of sight and maintain silence.

Examples of what might occur when:

Severe weather — All campers and staff may shelter until weather passes; could delay the release of campers until it is safe to exit the building, or might impact programming at camp.

Fire or hazmat situation in the area — evacuation or shelter, depending on location and the severity of fire/hazmat issue.

Threat of violence or weapon on a person — lockout, lockdown, or evacuation, depending on the situation.

Intruder — requires an immediate lockdown; an emergency notification will be sent to parents by Camp staff with any instructions.

Police Activity in the Area — usually a lockout; action may be taken at the direction of law enforcement or any staff member at the camp. Communication with authorities will vary during these different scenarios. Campers/ staff will be instructed to listen and clearly follow any directions provided.

Additional terminology will be used in the event of an active threat that includes:

Hide = shelter/lockdown. Consider if campers/staff should be all in one place or a variety of locations.

Run = evacuate, although this would more likely be on foot and toward a pre-designated type of area.

Fight = as it states, throw things, kick, scream, tackle the intruder(s).