A Note from the Director
As Director of Camp Chi, I am asked a wide variety of questions and hear from families.
One of the main questions I hear more and more is about security. Certainly makes sense with all that goes on in our world these days. While security has always been a concern and emphasis every year, we are beginning to take major steps in camp systems and physical structures to make Camp Chi a more secure facility. Through a series of nonprofit security grants through FEMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management, Camp Chi has a variety of projects in process and more awaiting approval to add a variety of equipment and systems to secure camps entrances, increase monitoring and communication.
Our first project, completed this Spring, was adding electronic gates, cameras and 24 hour monitoring at each entrance into camp. When arriving at camp, all vehicles must either be in our system through pre-approval, enter a code or converse with staff via verbal and visual communication. State of the art 8K cameras are located at each entrance along with 2-way verbal and visual call boxes that can be answered by the appropriate staff. Pedestrian entrances require an RFID badge and are monitored by cameras.
The next phase, set to be completed by the start of camp this summer is an Emergency Response System. Speakers and visual message boards are being placed throughout the entire camp. Through a phone app and direct phone line, messages can be sent over a PA system and to phones to alert staff to take action in urgent or emergency situations. While we will be prepared for a variety of situations, this system will streamline events like severe weather warnings when the entire camp needs to take shelter.
These systems and structures are planned with input from security consultants, local emergency management and state officials, and are approved through FEMA. Future plans include additional fencing and access control gates, cameras and barriers at all of Camp Chi’s facilities in the Lake Delton location.
While we have always taken security very seriously and have worked closely with local emergency personnel to make Camp Chi a safe place, these new tools and systems allow us to improve and be more efficient, while increasing response times and communication with our local authorities. We look forward to continuing to improve and add new ways to make Camp Chi safer every summer.