When families and churches entrust us with their children and students, we recognize the sacred responsibility that comes with that trust.
At Forest Home, the safety and well-being of every camper is a top priority. We are committed to creating an environment where campers feel physically safe, emotionally supported, and spiritually encouraged.
Guided by our Christian values, we seek to care for each child with integrity, vigilance, and compassion. We maintain comprehensive safety practices and operate in compliance with California state laws and San Bernardino County regulations.
Protecting children is foundational to our mission and ministry. Every Forest Home applicant undergoes comprehensive screening before being hired, including background checks and reference verification.
All staff members are trained as Mandated Reporters under California law and receive ongoing child protection training throughout their time at camp.
We maintain clear supervision standards, a strict Code of Conduct, and established reporting procedures for any concerns or allegations of misconduct. Church counselors are also trained on and expected to follow our safety standards while serving at camp.
We also teach campers age-appropriate personal safety principles through our Four R’s: Respect, Resist, Report, and Renew, helping them understand how to recognize unsafe situations and seek help when needed.
We maintain a comprehensive Emergency Action Plan addressing natural disasters common to Southern California, medical emergencies, missing camper procedures, and facility-related incidents. Staff participate in regular training and drills to ensure readiness.
While rare, we recognize the concern surrounding acts of violence in public spaces. We maintain response protocols for critical incidents and train staff to respond with calm, coordinated action, always prioritizing the safety and protection of every camper.
Our campuses are designed with camper safety in mind. We maintain structured security measures that help protect guests throughout their stay, including visitor check-in procedures, controlled access to designated areas, and clearly defined camper release protocols.
Our goal is to create an environment where families and leaders can focus on camp while knowing thoughtful safeguards are in place behind the scenes.
During all program events, trained medical personnel are available 24 hours a day to care for campers and guests. Our first aid team includes medical professionals and health technicians who manage routine health needs, injury care, medication administration, and emergency coordination with local healthcare providers when necessary.
Medications are stored securely and administered only by trained personnel with direct supervision of a healthcare professional. All medication administration is recorded, and parents are contacted when necessary. We work closely with families to support campers with ongoing medical needs and strive to provide compassionate care throughout their time at camp.
We understand that food allergies and dietary needs are an important concern for many families. We follow established food safety standards in compliance with local health regulations. Our dining team practices allergy awareness and takes reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Staff are trained to recognize and respond promptly to allergic reactions and other food-related health concerns. We provide gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan at every meal and we do not use any products that contain peanuts.
All aquatic and outdoor recreation activities are supervised by highly trained and qualified staff. Lifeguards are present at all water activities, and recreation elements are inspected annually by third-party professionals, with frequent in-house safety checks and training in-services conducted throughout the year.
Safety is not a one-time checklist, it is an ongoing commitment. Our team receives regular training in child protection, supervision standards, emergency response, CPR/AED, and program-specific safety practices. Continuous training ensures we remain prepared, vigilant, and aligned with current best practices in youth safety.
We understand that parents, church leaders, and guests may have questions about health and safety at camp. If you’d like additional information about any of our procedures, policies, or safety practices, our team is happy to help.