Why Every Camp Needs an Emergency Action Plan - and How JEPP Can Help
- Yoni Ari
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
At camp, everything moves fast: kids running between activities, staff rotating shifts, groups heading off-site, and a community that changes week to week. That’s part of the magic. But it’s also why emergencies, like medical incidents, severe weather, a missing camper, a fire, or an intruder, can escalate quickly if the response isn’t organized.
An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is how a camp protects its people when something unexpected happens. Not as a “policy document,” but as a clear play-by-play that helps staff act calmly, communicate correctly, and keep campers safe, especially when stress is high and time is short.
What happens when there isn’t a real plan?
Most camps have “something written down.” The problem is that many plans are too vague, too long, or not practiced enough to work in real life. In those moments, predictable issues show up:
Too many people give directions at once
Staff improvise with good intentions—but create confusion
Information spreads through unofficial channels
Accountability breaks down (“Where is this bunk? Who has that group?”)
Parents hear rumors before they hear facts
A strong EAP prevents chaos. It gives your team a shared structure so everyone knows what to do, who decides, and how to move as one unit.
What an effective EAP actually does
A camp-ready EAP is built around one goal: protect campers and staff first - always. To do that, it provides:
A clear chain of command so decisions flow through leadership (not opinions in the moment)
Defined emergency terminology so staff use the same language under pressure
Step-by-step procedures for specific scenarios
Communication protocols that keep messages accurate and controlled
Accountability systems so every camper is accounted for, every time
Recovery guidelines to return to routine, document what happened, and improve the plan
Most importantly, it supports what campers need most during a crisis: calm leadership. Kids will watch staff faces and body language before they listen to instructions. The plan helps your team lead in a way that keeps campers regulated, safe, and reassured.
How JEPP helps camps build a plan staff can actually use
JEPP doesn’t hand camps a generic template. We help build an operational system designed for real camp conditions: outdoor environments, moving groups, seasonal staff, and off-site trips.
Our work typically includes:
1) Vulnerability & readiness assessment - We review your site, routines, and risks to identify gaps and strengths.
2) Chain of command and role clarity - We define who leads, who communicates, who manages accountability, who interfaces with emergency services, and who supports camper care.
3) A practical “play-by-play” EAP - We build step-by-step procedures that are easy to follow under stress, with standardized terminology and clear communication workflows.
4) Training and drills that build confidence - We turn the plan into muscle memory, so staff respond with calm, not confusion.
5) Optional readiness services - JEPP can also provide CPR/First Aid certification training (supporting biennial renewal requirements) and additional practical safety trainings based on your camp’s needs.
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