Safety Standards, Emergency Procedures and Rules

General Safety Guidelines Fire Prevention Ocean Safety Emergency Procedures Trespassers Dining Room Alcohol Supervision of children Shoes Permanent Staff Quiet hours

Moms are responsible for assuring family members understand these guidelines before and again immediately upon arrival at camp.

General Safety Guidelines

• Local, state and federal laws must be obeyed.
• Use of illegal drugs is prohibited on Westwind property.
• No consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• No weapons allowed on site.
• Tractors, trailers, maintenance equipment and areas are for staff use only.
• No running on trails in camp.
• Wear shoes at all times, except on ocean beach.
• No throwing of objects (sand, rocks, etc).
• Supervise children at all times.
• Protect wildlife, trees and shrubs. Leave growing things undisturbed.
• Respect fences as barriers and obey all signs.
• Do not approach wildlife.
• All personal equipment (sports, electronics, clothing, etc.) should be stored in a safe manner and handled safely for the protection of all people. YWCA is not responsible for theft or vandalism of personal equipment.

Fire Prevention Guidelines

• Flammable materials are prohibited including kerosene lamps and candles. Only battery powered light is allowed.
• Fireworks and firearms are prohibited.
• Cigarette smoking is allowed only in designated areas - the ocean beach or an area near the lodge that the group designates with #10 cans filled with sand for cigarette butts. Smoking in dune areas, the forest or cabins is not allowed. Pick up butts.
• Outdoor fires may occur in established fire rings or on beach sites approved by the site manager or caretaker. At each outdoor fire a shovel and bucket of water must be readily available.

Ocean Safety

The ocean is a very dangerous area of camp. Westwind highly recommends no ocean or river swimming. The water is dangerously cold and can be very unpredictable. The ocean and river are not Westwind property, however, we highly recommend all water activities, including wading, be supervised by a Westwind lifeguard and have a person present who is First Aid/CPR certified. All adults must sign the waterfront waiver in order to enter the ocean without a Westwind lifeguard present. You can choose not to sign but in doing so you make the informed decision and agreement that you will not allow your children or yourself to enter into the ocean without a lifeguard present and on duty. Entering the ocean means any amount of water touching your body. If your child is to participate in any activity on the beach where a lifeguard is not present you must be present for the child to enter into the water.

The power and cold of the ocean each year kills unwary visitors to Oregon’s beaches.
Hypothermia: the lowering of a person’s body temperature is a major factor in the deaths off the Oregon Coast. Signs of hypothermia should be treated immediately, following first aid procedures. The nurse and director should be notified as soon as possible. (Ocean water off the Oregon Coast ranges from 44 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. A person wearing only a swimsuit becomes debilitated very quickly if he/she is carried out to the sea.)

Here is a list of things to remember while enjoying the beach:

• Never turn your back on the ocean.
• Stay alert for logs being washed in by large waves. Beach strollers have been crushed by huge beach logs tossed about like toothpicks.
• Never climb on driftwood to avoid incoming tidal waters.
• Big ocean swells crash with such sudden force that fishermen have been washed off jetties.
• Never swim.
• Be careful of undertows, especially with incoming tides.
• If carried out by the current, try to stay calm and afloat and don’t fight the tide. Swim Parallel to the beach to reach an incoming current.
• Always respect the power of the ocean.

Emergency Procedures

In all emergencies the Westwind Site Staff must be notified immediately.

Emergency signals:
Continuous ringing bell – fire evacuation bell – all participants gather on the ocean beach directly in front of Lodge.

Continuous staggered ringing bell – 3 rings and a pause over and over – general emergency bell and all participants meet in front of Lodge.

It is the Moms responsibility to inform all family members on site of this procedure and to account for all your family being present.

Once the campers have been assembled and accounted for, the Westwind staff is responsible for coordinating evacuation, search or rescue procedures.

The Westwind staff is responsible for the protection and evacuation of all persons on site. In matters of emergency her/his leadership must be followed and her/his authority not questioned.

The Westwind staff is responsible for coordinating search and rescue of lost or injured people. Moms shall not assume this responsibility. We know our site the best and have trained on how to find lost persons in a quick and safe manner.

In the event of a water related emergency, reaching or throwing are the only rescue techniques that should be attempted by any person. There are throwing devices located on camp barges and tractor. If the victim is not reachable in this way, the Coast Guard and on site lifesavers must be notified immediately. The Coast Guard number is listed near camp phones.

In an emergency in which the media become involved, all inquiries will be directed to the YWCA of Greater Portland’s Executive Director’s Office

Trespassers

Westwind can appear very isolated and secure from outside intruders. This is a false sense of security. Intruders can access camp from all directions – the beach is public property and public and private lands surround camp. Please advice family to act safely – supervise children at all times, travel in pairs or groups after dark, notify Westwind staff of any unusual circumstances.

What to do if you come upon a trespasser: Introduce yourself. Initially, do not offer an explanation of the nature of the site. Inform the person(s) of their inadvertent trespass and offer to direct them off the property. Contact Westwind staff as soon as possible, and describe the interaction and give a description of the trespasser(s). Never put yourself or others in danger, if the trespasser(s) appear to be unapproachable do not speak with them and notify Westwind staff.

Do not approach anyone between the dune grass and ocean – this area is public property.
Notify Westwind site staff of any fire building or overnight camping in the dune area.

Dining Room

The Westwind Kitchen Staff will provide all meals and snacks. If you have a special dietary need we will do our best to meet that need. For complicated needs or special food arrangements please contact the camp before arrival. We serve a vegetarian option at all meals.

Meals are served family style. We ask that everyone remain on the sand and the porch in front as we call out color groups. Once one color group is seated the next color group is called in order of age of campers. Oldest campers with moms are last. We will try to seat you together but at some meals you may have to seat at different tables. We have supervision at each table so staff can help entertain and make sure children are eating! Please do not push or try to sneak in early! It’s a lot more important for that mom with a three year old to sit with their child then a mom with a 12 year old. There are enough seats for everyone and plenty of food to go around.

If your child finishes early please do not let them wander out of the dining hall. Meals take about 45 minutes with announcements and camp songs. It is also a great time to get to know new people as well.

If you have a comment about the kitchen please see the Camp Director, Kim.

Alcohol

It’s a simple rule, it’s not allowed. Any one in possession of alcohol will be asked to leave. Camp prides itself on being a safe place for everyone.

Supervision of Children

Moms are coming to this camp session to be with their children in a fun atmosphere. Please do not anticipate other moms will watch your child. If your child wants to play with another child please ask the other mom before assuming it is ok. Some moms really want one on one interaction with their children and not to add another child into the activity. If another mom offers to watch your child during an activity that is fine and in some cases encouraged but please do not assume it will be ok to drop your child off with them.

Children who do not wish to participate in the morning children’s group activities may not participate in the moms-only activities in the morning. It’s a time for mom’s to relax and let loose a little. Activities are not always age appropriate for children. The same applies to evening activities. If you need to, please check with the Director to see what may be available for older campers who are not ready for bed at 9pm.

Shoes

Shoes must be worn at all times. The only place shoes can be taken off is on the beach. The front of the lodge was a construction site just two years ago. Nails, broken glass, and other dangerous objects sometimes surface. Sand hides these things very well and shoes eliminate 99% of the foot injuries that can occur at camp.

Camp Westwind permanent summer staff

The permanent staff may be young by comparison but they have been well trained for their jobs. They are trained to keep you and everyone around you safe. If you are doing something, which is not safe, they will ask you to please refrain from that activity. Please follow their requests

The men are very cute and many of them are from other countries with very enticing accents. They are also YOUNG! It is the YWCAs job to provide a workplace free of sexual harassment. Please do not make suggestive comments, luring gazes, or flirt with them. Remember they are working and any sexual advances that happen while they are working places camp at risk. So as much fun as it is to flirt with the young staff it may seem not appropriate.

Quiet hours

9:30 pm – 7:30 am
Please be courteous and abide by these hours and also let your children know about these hours. We have small children who need more sleep then older ones. The norm is that younger campers are closer to main camp and the bathrooms so please be extra quiet when using the main bathhouse or when walking around the Sherwood Unit.