Adventure-Course Insurance Changes
Check for updates to ensure compliance
By Paul Carter
As summer camps get back into full swing—many for the first time since the pandemic began—some insurance companies are changing policies for certain camp activities.
© Can Stock Photo / 4774344sean
One of the significant changes involves ropes courses, wall climbing, rock climbing, and rappelling. Some insurance companies are requiring that a facilitator or instructor be certified, which is always the best policy anyway. Accordingly, recertification should be done every two years, but annual recertification is highly recommended, and in some cases, may even be required. The minimum age requirement for any course facilitator is 18 years old. Another change from some companies requires that any belayers on-site also be certified. This is likely a scenario that many camps haven’t run into before, but one that can easily be dispatched. Additional focus may be put on choosing staff members for these positions. Be sure to check with the insurance provider for any changes to your camp policy.
What Can De Done?
One solution is to put belayers through a belay course at a local climbing gym or similar business that offers certification. Climbing gyms have become very popular, and avid climbers have access to these facilities year-round, since many are indoor operations. Certification courses are generally two hours and cost between $35 and $50 per person.
Most camps have specific training for ropes and climbing staff already; this will not replace specific training, but will provide additional training and certification paperwork necessary to meet the new standards.
Staff Member Certification Rotation
One other possible change this year is that some insurance companies require a staff member who is Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or a certified nurse “on-site” where ropes or climbing areas are located. Most camps are required to have a nurse already, but if climb sites are too far away from the camp, some insurance companies may require an additional staff member to fill this role.
There is a solution. Those camps that do not have additional nursing staff should have at least one ropes/climbing staff member obtain WFA or Wilderness First Responder certifications. WFA courses are generally two days long, and many include CPR. The courses range from $275 to $350 in most major areas. These certifications are good for two years, so consider having a different staff member be WFA-certified each year, so there is a rotation of at least one or two on staff who qualify to serve in that position each year. Wilderness First Responder is a five-day class, and certifications generally last for three years. The class is much more in-depth, and requires WFA as a prerequisite. Many reliable companies exist for these certification programs; check your area for future courses.
The Fine Print
Insurance companies may also require participants to be a minimum of 13 years old, and any belayer must be at least 15 years old, with a course facilitator or instructor present at all times. There also may be a participant release required. This release must often list the hazards of the activity in any promotions as well.
Anchoring requirements may have changed for courses as well. One may be to have not only a first-aid kit on-site, but also a spine board. Most insurance companies are not fully knowledgeable about all of these situations, or even yours in particular, so your facilitator or instructor should talk directly to a company representative to clear up any discrepancies.
Paul Carter is a pastor and camp director for Church of God, a Worldwide Association in Los Angeles and Bakersfield, Calif. Reach him at paul.carter@cogwa.org.