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Health Care & Safety

Your Child’s Health & Safety Matter Most

Our staff participate in extensive safety training workshops pre-season. We have a Registered Nurse who is on site 24/7 throughout the summer. Our on call Camp Physician, Dr. Delboy, has his practice in nearby Chestertown. We also have the excellent facilities of the Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown which can be reached quickly if necessary. All of our staff are certified in CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training and are trained to use our AED. We have staff that are certified Water Safety Instructors, US Sailing Association certified, and USA Waterski members. All of our power boat drivers are licensed by the USCG. We also have emergency equipment on site, including EpiPens, Albuterol Inhalers, AmbuBags, Oxygen and an AED.

Safety is no accident — because fun depends on it. At Echo Hill, every system we have — from medical care and staff training to activity supervision and weather monitoring — is designed to keep campers safe while they explore, learn, and grow.

Around Campus Safety

Echo Hill Camp sits on Maryland’s Upper Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Our 70-acre waterfront campus is at the heart of Bloomingneck Farm, a 350-acre working Maryland Century Farm owned by the Harris family. Our campus is closely monitored, with systems in place to respond quickly to any situation.

Around Campus Safety

A staff member is always on duty in our main office, keeping watch over phones, and weather conditions 24/7. Key staff communicate across campus using a commercial-grade two-way radio system, ensuring instant coordination during activities, emergencies, or daily operations. We use the CampMinder email system to reach parents quickly if needed, giving families peace of mind. Protocols for what we communicate and when are outlined in the family handbook.

Medical Safety

Echo Hill is committed to the highest standards of health and medical care. At least one registered nurse is on duty 24 hours a day. The camp is 25 minutes from local emergency services and 30 minutes from a full-service hospital. Multiple AEDs are located across the property for rapid response.

Medical Safety

All medications are administered by our health center staff and never kept in cabins, with the exception of rescue inhalers and diabetic supplies. Camper medications are checked-in upon arrival and securely stored to ensure safety.

Activity Safety

Every activity at Echo Hill is carefully supervised and designed with safety in mind. American Red Cross Certified lifeguards are always on duty at the waterfront, trained in Lifeguarding, CPR, and AED use for professional rescuers—an important distinction. Campers complete a swim check upon arrival to determine swimming ability. Those who do not meet our standards wear life jackets for swims, and all campers are required to wear a PFD.

Activity Safety

Every boat, motor, and sail is inspected prior to the season. Staff are trained to perform “circle checks,” a once-per-hour visual inspection of each boat, to ensure ongoing safety. High ropes, climbing, zip lines, and other challenge courses are maintained to the highest safety standards by Echo Hill Outdoor School. Staff receive specialized training and certification before camp begins to maintain a safe environment for all campers.

Staff Safety & Screening

Our campers’ safety begins with hiring the right people. The Directors spend months recruiting and preparing the most excellent and qualified staff. We are proud of our high staff return rate, because happy staff means invested staff.

Staff Safety & Screening

Applications are carefully reviewed, followed by personal interviews and checks of three professional references for every candidate. All staff undergo FBI fingerprint checks, Child Protective Services reviews, and National Sex Offender Registry screenings. Staff are also trained in emergency procedures, abuse prevention, and activity supervision before camp begins.

Emotional Safety

Campers’ emotional well-being is just as important as physical safety. All staff complete online and in-person training on appropriate boundaries and child protection.

Emotional Safety

Echo Hill follows the “Rule of Three”: staff are never alone with a camper in private settings, and one-on-one interactions occur only in visible, public spaces. Campers can report concerns anonymously using “Voice Boxes” or speak directly to staff. Daily camper check-ins track overall well-being, participation, and social connections to ensure every child is supported.

Weather Safety

Our Upper Eastern Shore location means we sometimes face changing weather. Dedicated weather stations, lightning detection systems, and NOAA alerts keep us informed in real-time. Staff radios allow instant coordination across campus, and when severe weather occurs, our team implements shelter and supervision protocols to keep everyone safe.

Emergency Preparedness

Beyond immediate weather monitoring, we maintain comprehensive emergency action plans that are regularly reviewed and practiced with our staff. Our campus has designated shelter areas for severe weather events. All counselors receive training in emergency procedures during orientation, and we conduct routine drills throughout the summer to ensure everyone knows their role. Parents are notified through email whenever weather conditions require protective action, and we maintain backup power and communication systems to stay connected even during outages.

Our Commitment

For generations, families have trusted Echo Hill Camp to care for their children as if they were our own. Safety isn’t just a policy—it’s who we are, woven into every part of the camp experience. At Echo Hill, we are risk managers at heart, ensuring that every camper can explore, learn, and grow in a safe and nurturing environment.

Medical forms and medication policies

To fill out the required medical forms please go to your Camp Portal account and click on the Forms button.

Camp portal

Our staff participate in extensive safety training workshops pre-season. We have a Registered Nurse who is on site 24/7 throughout the summer. Our on call Camp Physician, Dr. Delboy, has his practice in nearby Chestertown. We also have the excellent facilities of the Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown which can be reached quickly if necessary. All of our staff are certified in CPR, First Aid, Lifeguard Training and are trained to use our AED. We have staff that are certified Water Safety Instructors, US Sailing Association certified, and USA Waterski members. All of our power boat drivers are licensed by the USCG. We also have emergency equipment on site, including EpiPens, Albuterol Inhalers, AmbuBags, Oxygen and an AED.