Waterfront Safety | Wendy Hahn, Waterfront Director

Hello, Camp Followers!

As we near camp, we've had some questions regarding waterfront activity and safety. We wanted to take an opportunity to run through it with you.

Swim Evaluation:

When kids arrive at camp, we review all of the waterfront information with each grade, including the activities available during free time as well as all safety information.  We then do a swim test, in groups of 5 campers, that include the following:

• Belly-Swimming - No Underwater Swimming
  • An evaluation if they can do a front crawl swim, a doggie paddle swim, and a breaststroke - for the distance of estimated 30 yards - without stopping or touching the bottom for assistance.
• Treading water for 90 seconds on their swim back to the shore

 
Lifeguards are in the water with each group as well as on the dock to assist if anyone needs to stop.
 
Outcomes: 

If a camper passes the test, they are a “blue” swimmer. 
If a camper either chooses to not take the swim test or does not make it through the swim test, they are a “red” swimmer. 
We are very upbeat, encouraging, and positive about the swim test, including anyone who does not make it through.
 
“Red” swimmers have use of the shallow area of the waterfront (with floats that kids love to use together for games and water toys), the water slide, and boats (with a blue swimmer).
“Blue” swimmers have use of above as well as a deeper swim area and the Blob (large inflatable that launches campers when another camper jumps onto it from an elevated platform).
 
As mentioned above, we make all campers feel positive about the waterfront regardless of swim ability and be sure to have activities available for everyone.

For any questions, please reach out!

Wendy Hahn
Waterfront Director