Their Safety, Our Priority

To ensure quick and accurate information flow during emergencies, CYJ uses:

• Weather Monitoring - NOAA weather radios. Real-time weather monitoring systems with hyper-local accuracy, tracking inclement conditions days in advance. This infrastructure features automated alerts that trigger before severe weather enters camp.
• Two‑Way Radios - 50 radios assigned to staff
• All‑Camp Public Address (PA) announcements can be activated through two‑way radio, internet, and a phone app
• Backup Announcement System - Perry Weather Station which is not dependent on power or internet to operate
• Cell Phones
• Mass Notifications through Text
• Internet Fiber end-to-end internet with redundancy of Starlink Satellite Service

Keeping track of every camper at all times is central to our safety plan. Each camper is assigned to specific set of counselors and leadership staff. Rosters are kept in multiple secure locations (cabins, office, health center).

Camper counts occur: Before movement and upon arrival to emergency locations, and during extended incidents

If a Child Cannot Be Accounted for:

• Leadership is alerted immediately
• Nearby areas are checked
• If not resolved within 10 minutes, the Missing Person EAP is activated

Fire or Smoke

• Pull the nearest alarm and call 911.
• Evacuate to the designated assembly area.
• Staff conduct full accountability checks.

Unauthorized or Unknown Person Our priority is protection and supervision.

• Avoid danger when safe exits exist.
• Secure indoors (locked doors, lights off, quiet).
• Account for all campers.
• Call 911 when safe.

Major Accident / Injury

• 911 is called immediately.
• Emergency supplies (AED, oxygen, first aid) are brought to the scene.
• The area is cleared for EMS response.

Missing Person

• Staff gather all individuals at the Assembly Site.
• Search teams sweep key areas .
• If not found within 10 minutes → EAP is initiated.

Thunder / Lightning

• Outdoor activities stop for 30 minutes after last thunder.
• Campers are moved to safe indoor or covered areas.

Severe Weather / Tornado‑Type Threat

• “Shelter‑in‑Place” is activated.
• Campers stay in interior rooms away from windows.
• Flooding (unlikely based on geography)

Utilities Emergency Examples: gas leak, chemical spill, power outage, water loss

• Staff contact Maintenance or After‑Hours Emergency Maintenance.
• Gas leaks require immediate evacuation without using electronics.
• Further instructions are given by leadership.

Transportation Accident

• 911 is called; campers are evacuated to a safe area.
• First aid is provided.
• Parents are notified.

CYJ follows a structured communication plan in accordance with Texas youth camp requirements.

When Parents Are Notified:

You will be contacted if any of the following occur:

1. A serious medical incident
2. EMS, fire, or police involvement
3. Evacuation, shelter‑in‑place, or lockdown
4. Missing camper
5. Weather events affecting operations
6. Any emergency that disrupts camp schedules

How Notifications Typically Happen

• Direct Phone Call For: medical emergencies, hospital transport, missing camper.
• Mass Notification (email, text, phone) For: weather events, camp‑wide actions, general safety updates.
• Email Follow‑Ups For: post‑incident updates and summaries.
• All communications are: calm, factual, and clear, free of speculation, and aligned with emergency responders

• Keep contact information on CampMinder accounts updated
• Ensure authorized pickup lists are accurate
• Prior to camp, review safety expectations with your child in a calm way
• Follow any instructions during emergencies (especially during shelter‑in‑place or delayed pickup situations)
• Allow us time and space to communicate effectively

More details on the Emergency Action Plan are available upon request. For questions, contact CYJ’s leadership.

Our counselors and camp leaders are the heart of CYJ. Each staff member undergoes:

• Trainings 1-2 extensive Staff Training Weeks: We cover youth development, behavior management, first aid/CPR certifications, emergency procedures, lifequarding and high ropes certifications, and more
• Background Checks: All staff are thoroughly vetted through social security traces, background checks, and the National Sex Offender Registry and multiple reference screenings. Each year, we rerun background checks for all returning staff as well.
• Water Safety: All aquatic activities are supervised by certified lifeguards, and everyone wears a life jacket during boating and lakefront activities.
• Camper Supervision: We maintain low, American Camping Association recommended, camper-to-staff ratios to ensure personalized attention and close supervision at all times. Our standard is 1:5 ratio compared to the State requirement of 1:8 ratio.

• Counselors are at camp to ensure that the campers have the best experience possible. They are not only expected to bring campers from one activity to the next, they are expected to be active supervisors who are enjoying the programs alongside the campers.
• Campers are accompanied by staff members at all times, even at night. No camper is allowed around camp or in a cabin without counselors present.
• Our system of late-night watch duty, called shmira, guarantees that there are staff members in every cabin should a camper ever need them after bedtime.
• Male campers are not allowed inside the female cabins and female campers are not allowed inside the male cabins.
• We have very strict policies and extensive training with our staff regarding proper supervision. Every staff member knows that they are never to be one-on-one with a camper.

Our state-of-the-art Camp Health Center is designed for Campers. It has a waiting room, 3 exam rooms, a nurses office, and 4 patient rooms. We are staffed by three licensed medical professionals. Because the Camp Health Center has attached private rooms, our nurses and physicians are are available around the clock to respond to camper needs. We have a voluneteer doctor program that has a doctor in Camp 85% of the time. Local EMS is 10 minutes away and the nearest hospital is 30 minutes away.

The Land: CYJ owns 250 acres of land in Hays County and the City of Woodcreek. The property has 60 acres that is developed and sits East of Cypress Creek and 190 acres of undeveloped land used as camping sites, mountain bike trails, nature trails, and a buffer zone

Cabin Location: All cabins are positioned well above flood risk zones (30 feet), providing peace of mind and uninterrupted programming even during heavy rains.

Cypress Creek: CYJ’s property has Cypress Creek running through it. Cypress Creek is a scenic, spring-fed stream and watershed primarily in Hays and Blanco counties and is fed from Jacob’s Well which is a 1/4 mile from CYJ.

• Security is not a reaction but a plan that is built upon layers and is continually evaluated and improved. Our Security Committee meets every month to remain vigilant and up to date. We maintain active relationships with local, regional, and national security partners to continuously strengthen our protocols and response readiness.
• Security is a priority with an on-site professional acting as the Director of Security and off-duty Sheriff’s Deputies from Hays County to patrol around and throughout camp 24 hours a day while camp is in session
• CYJ is surrounded by a fence on most sides with a gate and security cameras at the entrance. No one is allowed into camp without permission or prior arrangements. All delivery vehicles and employees who regularly travel in and out of camp throughout the day have their own codes, none of which work outside of daytime hours. As a vehicle approaches the gate, they must call the front office and if the person is not on the guest list, they are not allowed into camp.
• All our staff receive pre-summer training in our emergency procedures and situational awareness
• Our camp’s emergency communications technology establishes a direct line between staff in their bunks and our head office. With this system, information and instructions can be delivered instantaneously.

Camp Young Judaea is proudly accredited by the American Camp Association, a distinction that reflects our adherence to over 290 rigorous health, safety, and program quality standards. This demonstrates a firm commitment to the safety and well-being of staff and campers. From emergency preparedness to staff training and camper supervision. ACA accreditation ensures that we meet and often exceed industry best practices.