Camper safety is our number one priority. We understand the anxiety and nerves over sending your child to camp and work hard to make sure that Camp Crusoe is fun, action-packed and, above all, safe. We go to great lengths to train our team and we only accept the highest standard from our staff, activity professionals and location.

Ofsted

We are proud to be registered on Ofsted’s Voluntary Register. We work closely with them and ensure camp is run to their high and exacting standards.

The Institute for Outdoor Learning

We are a member organisation of the IOL, the professional body in the UK for organisations and individuals who use the outdoors to make a positive difference for others.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding of our campers is of paramount concern to us and we take the responsibility of looking after your children extremely seriously. Before all the the fun at camp, safety and safeguarding is of the highest importance.

We have a robust safeguarding policy which you can read here. During our counsellor training week we run a session on safeguarding and make sure all staff know the safeguarding policy back to front and are confident on how to implement it.

Staff

  • Staff to camper ratio is approximately 1:5.

  • Staff hiring - all of our staff undergo a rigorous application process to ensure we hire the most qualified, experienced and passionate staff.

  • Background check - every staff member goes through an enhanced background disclosure and reference check (DBS).

  • All of our counsellor staff attend a comprehensive week-long staff training programme.

Physical Health

  • Our Camp Matron, a registered paediatric nurse, is on site and available 24 hours a day.

  • Many members of staff hold first aid qualifications.

  • East Harling Surgery is 4 miles from camp and West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is 18 miles away.

  • Parents are notified immediately in event of injury or illness.

Activity Risk Assessments

  • All of our activities at Camp Crusoe have undergone a thorough risk assessment.

  • Each ALAA regulated adventure activity is overseen by a qualified instructor who is assisted by the Camp Counsellors.

Emergency Procedures

  • We have a full emergency procedures policy.

  • All staff members are fully trained in emergency procedures.

  • All campers practice an emergency procedure drill on the first evening at camp.

Homesickness

We fully appreciate and understand that being away from home can be a daunting experience for children so we ensure to foster a positive and friendly environment to make them feel relaxed and safe. 

Every child at camp is treated as an individual - every worry, concern and problem is listened to by their own counsellor and we make a concerted effort to look out for campers who are struggling to adjust and give them extra attention and help. 

If a camper is homesick, our counsellors are trained to:

  • Speak to the camper and ask them about how they are feeling.

  • Find out what they have enjoyed about camp so far and if there is anything they are not enjoying.

  • Encourage the camper to make new friends and tell them about all the fun activities coming up.

  • Speak to one of the Camp Directors who will inform the parents if necessary.

  • Keep a closer eye on the camper for the duration of their stay at camp.

  • Encourage other campers to help out the camper that is homesick.