Wellness and Risk Reduction

This page provides a brief introduction to our approach to supporting a healthy community and protecting children while they are away from home. Please email us with any particular questions. In 2009, no H1N1 at HVC, as a result of preventative efforts. 

Professional Standards • As members of the American Camp Association Hidden Valley is subject to regular standards visits. All recent visits have resulted in perfect scores on all mandatory requirements and ratings of 95-100% on 250+ items which examine all aspects of the camp's operation. • Similarly, the Maine State Dept. of Human Services has established a regime of annual inspections which look at all parts of camp.
Wellness Efforts • 3 RN's in residence • All health and response protocols reviewed by physicians annually. • Camp pediatricians trained at Harvard and Yale. They are located in Belfast, 17 miles away and available for daily consultation. • Well-equipped professional Health Lodge handles all medication, first aid, etc. • Prevention program includes sanitation regimes, daily discussion of benefits of drinking water, using sunscreen, etc., excellent ratio of supervising counselors, etc. • Hidden Valley has supported children with diabetes, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and others. • Extraordinary menu choices can be found here. HVC has accommodated food allergies including gluten, dairy, nuts, etc.	While the likelihood of our being affected by H1N1 virus is very slim, Hidden Valley is taking precautions as advised by the CDC. Most of this advice consists of common sense procedures that have been in place here for quite some time. Do not send sick children to camp. 3 RN's take care of all campers meedical needs.
Program Safety • Two week professional staff training in June. • Training supplemented by certification and other skill building intensives in higher risk areas such as equestrian, aquatics, adventure and outdoor camping programs. • Ongoing supervision in all program areas. • 3 RN's in residence, plus other Red Cross trained personnel on staff	In early June, Red Cross trainers prepare lifeguards for the summer.
Risk Reduction Efforts • Annual consultation with insurance companies. • Regular safety inspections. • Longstanding relationships with Maine's best bus companies. • Professional driver training for camp employees. Regular vehicle maintenance. • High staff ratios in all program areas and cabin life.
Hiring and Employment • Extensive interviews and reference checks. • Criminal background checks of employees. • Continuous supervision and performance evaluation of all counselors. • We "overhire" in order to assure that we can set high standards and retain only those staff who we can trust.
Emergency Response • Local ambulance service has toured camp and works with staff annually. Similar arrangements with fire department. • Hospital with full emergency room and specialists in Belfast, 17 miles away. • All staff trained to respond as part of pre-camp "emergency drills."