This is a guide for youth who are serving as camp counselors to assess situations and be able to make decisions if an emergency occurs.

2. • The I.C.E. pack was developed to be carried with camp counselors in their back packs at
all times during residential camps. Each pack should be edited and reviewed for
specific camps.
• The pack is developed to be reviewed prior to the camp in full with the counselors and
staff so that they are all aware of the proper procedures in place.
• This pack was developed through careful consideration of my own perspective as a 4-H
professional and a nationally registered EMT and emergency health provider. I worked
in collaboration with my own local 4-H camp to use their procedures and place them in
a friendly format that is easy and direct to follow. I am always open to new
ideas, comments, concerns and applications that may be useful for the future. If you
choose to utilize/edit this pack, please contact me at gottke.4@osu.edu so I can
document your usage. I would be happy to help you in your own personal journey for a
safer camp experience!
Ohio State University Extension embraces human diversity and is committed to ensuring that all research and related
educational programs are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or veteran status. This statement is in
accordance with United States Civil Rights Laws and the USDA. Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Agricultural
Administration; Associate Dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Director, Ohio State University
Extension and Gist Chair in Extension Education and Leadership. TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868.

3. Page Emergency Type
1 Homesickness
2 Injury/Illness
3 Bodily Fluids & Blood
4 Personal Electronic Devices
5 Property Loss/ Damage
6 Intruder
7 Non-Compliant Camper
8 Missing Person
9 Violence
10 Hospital Visit
11 Early Dismissal
12 Tornado Warning
13 Severe Storm
14 Fire
15 Flooding
16 Evacuation
17 Death

4. In Case of Emergency:
Homesickness
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
camper who is homesick.
Responsibility: Follow DFC and use appropriate
actions.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Radio or send for Dean of Men, or Women.
2. Do not promise a camper they can call
home. Parents fill out a form with
information about when we should call
and we need to follow that.
3. Inform Dean of situation and accompany
them with the camper as much as possible.
4. Elevate incident to Medical Staff and/or
Director if camper is not responsive to
Deans.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Are you able to calm the
camper down and reengage
them in activities?
Keep a watchful
eye on the
camper to
ensure they are
not being picked
on, or
uncomfortable
with their
surroundings.
Initiate
support
processes.
1

5. In Case of Emergency:
Injury/Illness
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
potential injury or illness.
Responsibility: Notify Medical Staff/Take
camper to Nurses Station.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Ensure victim and bystanders are
protected from further harm.
2. Notify medical staff via personal contact or
by radio.
3. Follow direction of medical staff or staff
member.
4. If necessary staff member will contact
EMS.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Initiate the Support Process
Immediately
2

6. In Case of Emergency:
Bodily Fluids & Other Blood
Borne Pathogens.
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
situation involving bodily fluids.
Responsibility: Follow DFC and following action
steps.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Remove yourself from situation and notify
medical staff either by radio or by sending
a counselor or camper to retrieve them.
2. Allow medical staff to evaluate and clean
location according to procedures following
blood borne pathogens procedures.
3. Report incident to medical log if exposure
to fluids.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Are you able to remove your
campers from the situation
without exposing yourself to
fluids?
Remove
campers
from
situation and
notify
medical staff.
Remove campers
from situation as
cleanly as
possible, and
then notify staff
for procedures
for cleanup.
3

7. In Case of Emergency:
Personal Electronic
Devices
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of
unauthorized use of prohibited instruments.
Responsibility: Report to adult staff about use
of prohibited instruments.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Adult staff will assess the situation and
take any PED into possession.
2. Incident will be reported in the log.
3. Devices will be locked up and returned at
the end of camp to the parents of the
individual.
4. Verify that the incident is recorded in the
log and that the PED is secured.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Directly Initiate
Support Process
4

8. In Case of Emergency:
Property Loss/Damage
Definition: Counselor becomes aware that
property is missing or damaged.
Responsibility: Consult DFC and follow actions
described there.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Report details of incident to adult staff.
2. Adult Staff will report incident to director
and conduct an investigation.
3. Verify the situation is reported in the log if
item is damaged, or reported stolen.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Sweep entire are to ensure
that the item is indeed
missing. Did you find it?
If found,
return to
owner
immediately
(unless It is a
PED)
Follow
Support
Process on
the Right.
5

9. In Case of Emergency:
Intruder
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of unauthorized
individual(s) on the Camp Palmer grounds.
Responsibility: DFC Yes  Go to Section A
DFC No  Go to Section B
Steps to Initiate Prevention Process:
A.
1. Ensure that all campers are a safe distance away
and have adequate supervision.
2. If situation seems safe and appropriate, approach
individual and ask if you can assist them.
3. Politely inform the individual that the area is
currently restricted due to the program.
4. Offer to introduce them to adult staff if they do
not leave the area.
5. Report incident to Camp Director with as many
details as possible.
B.
1. Ensure that all campers are a safe distance away
and have adequate supervision.
2. Use radio to call for adult staff, or send another
counselor to get adult staff.
3. Make note of persons description.
4. If possible, remove campers from the area as
much as possible.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is the counselor able and/or
willing to approach
unauthorized individual(s)?
Go to Section
A
Go to Section
B
6

10. In Case of Emergency:
Non-Compliant Camper
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of non-
compliant individual.
Responsibility: Consult DFC and follow actions
described.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Notify adult staff (If possible Dean or Men
or Women).
2. Adult staff will remove the camper from
the situation and try to calm them down.
3. If camper continues to be non-compliant,
director will determine when to call
parents.
4. Incident to be reported in log by counselor
and/or adult staff.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is the counselor willing or able
to work with the individual?
Work with
camper to calm
them down and
then reengage
them into
activity.
Report incident
to Camp
Director.
Go to steps
to initiate
support
process.
10

11. In Case of Emergency:
Missing Person
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of
missing person.
Responsibility: Refer to DFC on Left.
Yes  Verify Location
No  Initiate Process Below
Steps to Initiate Response Process:
1. Notify adult staff member.
2. Staff member will organize immediate area
sweep.
3. Notify Camp Director who will conduct a
full camp head count.
4. Director will contact Palmer staff and local
authorities if individual is not found.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is the missing person found by
asking other individuals the
persons where abouts?
Verify persons
where abouts
& continue
with
programming.
Go to steps
to initiate
response
process.
11

12. In Case of Emergency:
Unauthorized
Weapon
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
weapon or device that could cause bodily
harm to individuals.
Responsibility: Consult DFC and following
actions described.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Ensure safety of involved individuals.
2. Separate the individuals (if needed) and try
to settle them down to resolve conflict.
3. Radio for adult staff, or send another
counselor to get an adult staff member.
4. If physical violence is a factor, report any
injuries to the medical staff.
5. Verify incident is reported in log.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is counselor willing or able to
work with the camper to
retrieve item?
Work with
camper(s) to
ask them to
hand over
the item and
turn into the
CPD.
Initiate
support
process.
7

13. In Case of Emergency:
Violence
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
physical or mental conflict between
individuals.
Responsibility: Consult DFC and following
actions described.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Ensure safety of involved individuals.
2. Separate the individuals (if needed) and try
to settle them down to resolve conflict.
3. Radio for adult staff, or send another
counselor to get an adult staff member.
4. If physical violence is a factor, report any
injuries to the medical staff.
5. Verify incident is reported in log.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is counselor willing or able to
work with the camper?
Work with
camper(s) to
settle them
down and
resolve
conflict.
Initiate
support
process.
7

14. In Case of Emergency:
Hospital Visit
Definition: Adult Staff becomes aware of
situation where a trip to the hospital is
necessary, but not life threatening.
Responsibility: Follow Support Process
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Medical staff indicates to Camp Director
that a camper needs to be transported to
the hospital for a non life threatening but
serious injury.
2. 1 medical staff and 1 additional staff
member will be responsible for taking the
camper to the hospital.
3. Emergency vehicle will be checked for
operation, and adequate fuel at the start
of camp.
4. Staff will report to parents regarding
situation and directions to
hospital.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Follow Initiate Support Process
Immediately
8

15. In Case of Emergency:
Early Dismissal
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
camper who is leaving camp early?
Responsibility: Follow DFC and take
appropriate actions as necessary.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Notify adult staff via radio or in person to
verify early dismissal of camper involved.
1. If early dismissal is approved and known of, assist
camper in gathering belongings and preparing to
depart camp.
2. If dismissal is not approved of, direct adult to
camp director immediately. If possible have adult
staff escort them.
2. Camp Director will report any early
dismissals in log.
3. Do no allow camper to leave without
following check out procedures.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Has adult staff indicated to
you that a camper will be
leaving camp early?
Assist camper with
packing and
gathering their
items, and
retrieving
medications and
money from the
bank once parents
are present.
Following
support
process to
the Right.
9

16. In Case of Emergency:
Tornado Warning
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
Tornado Warning (Siren Blast for 3 Minutes)
Responsibility: Follow direction of DFC and follow
steps as indicated.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. All campers will report to their cabins (or
other indicated shelter area).
2. Campers will take cover under lower bunks,
and in case of high winds use a pillow
covering their heads from potential injury.
3. Counselors will have activities planned to
keep them calm and occupied during the
time (ie: songs, stories, trivia, stories).
4. Camp Director will give an “All Clear” when
the storm has passed.
5. Counselors will report any injuries to the
camp medical staff.
6. Permanent staff will evaluate damage and
determine if camp will continue.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Has a tornado been spotted?
Take
immediate
cover
following the
directions of
adult staff.
Follow the
steps to
initiate
support
process.
10

17. In Case of Emergency:
Severe Storm
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a
Severe Weather.
Responsibility: Follow DFC and actions as
indicated.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Remain indoors in designated locations or
move campers to nearby building.
2. Stay away from open doors and windows
and unplug electrical appliances. Do not
use the phone.
3. If away from central camp, seek cover
away from trees, power lines and metal
objects.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Is the weather immediately
threatening?
Seek shelter
immediately
and report
location to
adult staff.
Initiate
Support
Process to
the Right.
11

18. In Case of Emergency:
Fire
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of a fire.
Responsibility: Follow Support Process
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Ensure all campers are evacuated from the
area and relocated to the front activity
field.
2. Adult staff will call 911 and give
name, location and nature of emergency
from a camp phone.
3. Group campers by cabin and conduct a
head count of your cabin.
1. If all campers are accounted for in your
cabin, have them sit down.
2. If you have missing campers notify an adult staff
member immediately.
4. Assess campers for any medical
emergencies and notify staff if
attention is needed.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Follow Initiate Support Process
Immediately
12

19. In Case of Emergency:
Flooding
Definition: Counselor becomes aware flooding
Responsibility: Follow Support Process
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Minimize travel to and from the boys
cabins.
2. When water is covering bridges campers
can be safety taken to their cabins through
Harrison Lake State Park. All groups must
be accompanied by a counselor or adult
staff when using this route.
3. Camp director will evaluate any other
flooding situations and assess location as
needed.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Follow Initiate Support Process
Immediately
13

20. In Case of Emergency:
Evacuation
Definition: Counselor becomes aware of
evacuation.
Responsibility: Follow Support Process
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Camp Director will relocate all campers
and staff to a safe location.
2. Camp Director will call 911 and give name,
location and nature of emergency.
3. Counselors will conduct a head count of
each cabin.
4. Missing or injured campers will be
reported to the Director and/or medical
staff.
5. The Camp Director and Executive Director
will work directly to cooperate with
Disaster Services.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Follow Initiate Support Process
Immediately
14

21. In Case of Emergency:
Death
Definition: Counselor or Staff Member
becomes aware of a participants Death.
Responsibility: Notify Camp Director & Medical
Staff.
Steps to Initiate Support Process:
1. Ensure victim and bystanders are
protected from any further harm.
2. Immediately notify Medical Staff and Camp
Director.
3. Dial 911 state name, location and nature of
emergency.
4. Clear campers away from area.
5. Follow directions of Medical Staff & Camp
Director.
6. Contact Ohio State University for Comm
Tech support.
Decision Flow Chart
(DFC)
Initiate the Support Process
Immediately
15