Fourfold Safety: Physical Safety
As summer approaches, our focus at Camp Winnataska is preparation. While campers are counting down the days until check-in, we are strengthening the systems and leadership that make camp both joyful and safe.
Since 1918, Winnataska has been guided by the Great Commandment: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31). Our symbol, the Maltese cross, represents our Christian intent to help campers grow physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially/emotionally. We call this the Fourfold Life. You can learn more about the Fourfold Life and our Camp Life values here.
Earlier this month, our summer and year-round staff gathered for retreat. We focused on teamwork, clarified leadership expectations, spent time in scripture, and strengthened the relationships that allow us to serve campers well. Christian community does not happen by accident. It requires clarity, accountability, and shared purpose.
That same intentionality guides our work now in staffing, training, accreditation planning, and safety review. Throughout our spring parent newsletters, we will highlight how we approach safety and formation through each arm of the Maltese cross.
We begin this month with physical safety.
Camp Winnataska has proudly operated for more than 100 years. Over decades of summer seasons, we have carefully developed and refined our emergency procedures, supervision systems, and health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of every camper.
Safety is not new to us—but neither is vigilance. Our experience never gives us permission to grow complacent; instead, it drives us to continually evaluate, strengthen, and uphold the highest standards of care.
In light of tragedies that have affected camps across the country, we have taken time to examine our systems carefully and deliberately. We are conducting a thorough evaluation of our emergency procedures and training practices - not because they are failing, but because clarity is essential in a crisis.
That review includes:
Severe weather response and environmental monitoring
Lost camper accountability systems
Health services and medication management
Supervision standards across all program areas
Clear emergency communication protocols
We are expanding hands-on training for our staff, incorporating additional drills, and working through dozens of “what if” scenarios before they ever arise. We are also strengthening a culture in which staff members speak up about good catches and near misses, allowing us to learn and improve proactively.
Although new state legislation does not take effect until January 1, 2027, we are choosing to align with those standards now. Preparation should begin well before a deadline.
Safety at Winnataska is never assumed—it is practiced daily. The stewardship of children is a sacred trust, and living out our mission of “Christian Camping at its Best” calls for both deep faith and disciplined preparation.
Strengthening Leadership for Summer
Stephen Buckner is serving as our full-time, year-round Program Director. He focuses primarily on our program staff - the team members who run the pool, ropes, outdoors, and all our Program Areas. His work centers on program excellence, safety standards, and comprehensive staff training. By dedicating year-round attention to these systems, we are strengthening the quality and safety of every activity long before the first session begins.
Joseph McKinley will serve this summer as Camp Life Director. He focuses primarily on our cabin staff - Weekly Directors, Hut Leaders, and Hut Staff - who shape the daily life of campers. Joseph supports cabin culture, coaches through conflict, and ensures that each camper is known, encouraged, and well cared for in the rhythms of camp life.
Stephen leads the program side of camp. Joseph leads the cabin life side. Together, this structure allows us to supervise intentionally, support staff clearly, and provide both excellent programming and strong daily care for campers.
Next month, we will share more about how this leadership structure supports social and emotional safety at camp.
Looking Ahead
Next month, we will focus on social and emotional safety: how we build strong cabin culture, support homesickness, coach conflict, and ensure every camper is known and valued.
If you have questions about anything in this newsletter, please reply directly to this email to continue the conversation.
Thank you for the trust you place in Camp Winnataska. We are preparing carefully, praying faithfully, and looking forward to welcoming your children this summer.
