Safety

YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY. 

STAFF

Each year the managers at High Cascade have hundreds of applicants to choose from when building their "perfect team". All staff must pass stringent background and drug screenings. When we say “all staff”, we mean everyone; from the cook preparing your child's food, to the counselor. Once hired, all staff members must become CPR and First Aid certified and go through extensive staff training prior to the start of Camp. High Cascade is proud to boast over an 80% return rate for staff members.

INJURIES

Although we recognize injuries are inevitable in action sports and camp activites, our camp rules, protocols, and staff exist to enforce safety and mitigate injuires.  You may be happy to know that the percent of injuries is less than that at ski areas across the country.  This is largely in part due to the fact we do not let campers loose, free to snowboard without supervision.  Campers spend their time in small coaching groups which are matched with their respective ability level.  All campers fill out a snowboard ability form before arriving at camp.  The information provided in this form is used to place campers into small coaching groups based on ability.  High Cascade coaches are prepared to coach their respective coaching groups' ability level, as well as ensure campers are not attempting tricks and features beyone their ability.  As a parent, it is important that you do your best to help your child honestly fill out their abiltiy form to the best of your ability.

MEDICAL

High Cascade employs a full-time Registered Nurse who is on-call 24 hours a day. In the event of an injury High Cascade's nurse will assess the situation and determine if outside care may be needed. In addition, we employ also a full-time EMT and utilize Timberline Ski Area's Ski Patrol for on-snow injuries.

CAMP NURSE

  • RN Greg Kerwin
  • HCSC Staff Member Since 2003
  • Hometown: Marquette, MI
  • RN since 1986
  • Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Advanced Pediatric Life Support
  • Ski Patroller, named Ski Patroller of the Year for the State of Michigan in 2005
  • Snowboarder
  • Parent of two snowboarders
  • His son David works at camp as a digger

    • HELMETS

    All campers under the age of 18 are required to wear helmets when snowboarding. All skateboarders, REGARDLESS OF AGE, are required to wear helmets when skateboarding.

    ACCREDITATION

    American Camping Assocation (ACA) Since 1997 High Cascade has been accredited by the American Camping Association. Developed exclusively for the camp industry, this nationallly recognized program focuses on program quality, health and safety issues, and requires us to review every facet of our operation. Only 25% of an estimated 8,500 day and resident camps have attained ACA accreditation status. High Cascade has voluntarily submitted to this independent appraisal done by camp experts and has earned this mark of disctinction.

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