FAQ'S
Have questions about anything and everything Firwood?
See our Frequently Asked Questions below to see how we can help!
All medication is given to the Health Aide on Opening Day during Check-In. During the week, the Health Aide will notify campers on a daily basis to take their medication so they won’t forget. The Health Aide will also notify their counselor about medications and/or allergies.
We have a licensed EMT and/or nurse on site at camp, 24/7. They will have your camper’s health form and will provide a quiet space in the infirmary for them until they feel better. You will be notified if necessary.
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Please do not bring your camper to Firwood if they are sick within 48 hours of opening day. If any camper or family member within the household has experienced vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or all of those symptoms; they must stay home until they have been symptom-free for at least 24 hours.
While Camp Firwood is not a nut-free campus, we do ensure that the food served from the kitchen does not contain any nuts.
Any counselor who has a camper with nut allergies will be notified and will instruct their campers on how to ensure the cabin is nut free. If there is an EpiPen involved, we may ask the parent/guardian to meet with the Health Aide and counselor to discuss its use. Your camper’s Epi-pen will be kept in the infirmary during their week at camp. We ensure that Epi-pens are brought to any camp event that is outside of walking distance to the infirmary (such as the island, south cover, big field). You can rest assured, your camper will never be far from their medication. Furthermore, the Sudden Valley Fire Department/EMTs are only 1.5 miles from camp in the event of an emergency.
Our camp is able to accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian food options. These will be provided to campers who provide notice seven (7) days prior to their first day of camp. Please note any dietary needs in the Medical section of the Camper Registration Portal. Due to food preparation constraints, we will not be able to accommodate campers who disclose dietary needs after the camp week has begun. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate Celiac Disease in our kitchen at Firwood. While we do have gluten free options available, we cannot guarantee that there has been no cross contamination.
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Campers with more than one medically restricted dietary concern or restrictions other than GF, DF and vegetarian should plan to bring their own food to Camp Firwood. Camper food storage (for special diets) is available for dry goods and refrigerated items. Any frozen foods will also be stored in the refrigerator. All such food must be labeled with the camper’s name and week of attendance (i.e. Johnny S. Week #2).
As Firwood strives to be a nut-free in the dining hall, we ask that camper’s bringing their own food continue to keep these nut-free, as well. (For example: bringing soy or oat milk rather than almond milk.)
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Only kitchen staff members will be able access camper food brought from home to accommodate medically restricted diets. A microwave will be available, if needed, but no commercial food prep space is available for campers.
A small meal discount may apply, depending on your unique circumstance. Please contact register@thefirs.org for more information.
At Camp Firwood, safety is our top priority. To this end, we have developed some proven ways to ensure the safety of all campers and staff.
We hire 2 staff for every camper cabin and our overall camper to staff ration is 3:1.
All camp staff undergo a comprehensive background check through MinistrySafe.
We have an on-site licensed EMT and/or nurse and a fully stocked infirmary so that we are ready for any medical emergency.
We have an on-call doctor that is available 24hrs/day to assist with non-life-threatening medical emergencies.
We are only 6 miles from the South Whatcom County Fire Station and have a great relationship with their staff. Each year the fire chief and some of his team tour the property, meet our staff, and review our safety protocols.
We hire certified lifeguards who oversee all waterfront activities. Our lifeguards are Red Cross certified and participate in weekly trainings throughout the summer by our trained Waterfront Lead.
All campers and staff wear life jackets while swimming, boating, or participating in any water activities.
All boat drivers have taken the WA Boating License course and are trained in-house by the Firs Safety Manager.
We require all campers to wear approved water sport helmets when tubing.
Our rock wall, low elements challenge course, and big swing are inspected and certified annually by Synergo. We inspect equipment daily and track rope and harness usage.
We have a safety committee comprised of Firs staff and community members including firefighters and medical professionals who review our policies and procedures quarterly.
We have a locked gate at the top of the road to ensure access to camp is limited to only those who need to be there.