Safe, Supported, and Seen: How We Keep Campers Secure at Camp Mákemáke

At Camp Mákemáke, safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s a culture. We know that sending your child to camp is a big act of trust, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our goal is simple: to create an environment where children feel physically protected, emotionally supported, and free to explore with confidence.

Each week, our team includes qualified, bilingual teachers—many of whom work at some of Santiago’s most respected schools, including The Grange School, Santiago College, Nido de Águilas, and more. Many of our staff are also parents themselves, bringing both professional insight and natural care to their work with children.

We are also supported by a certified camp nurse on-site every week, along with trainee teachers and trainee nurses who add fresh energy and additional supervision. Every team member is trained in child safeguarding, first aid, and emergency procedures, with extra emphasis on outdoor safety.

But beyond our people, we have clear practical safety systems in place across all areas of camp:

• Helmets are mandatory for all horseback riding activities, and rides are led only by certified equestrian professionals.

• Lifejackets are compulsory for all water-based activities, including paddleboarding, canoeing, and swimming sessions—no exceptions.

• All activities are closely supervised by trained staff with a low child-to-adult ratio, ensuring children are never unsupervised during transitions, free play, or structured programs.

• Children are taught to stay within safe camp boundaries, and they are always within eyesight and earshot of adults.

• We maintain strict check-in and check-out procedures, and children are only released to pre-approved adults.

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We also perform regular site checks, review safety protocols weekly, and have clear emergency procedures for everything from a minor injury to an unexpected storm. Every staff member knows exactly what to do and how to respond calmly and confidently.

Yet just as important as physical safety is emotional safety. We believe that children thrive when they feel secure, seen, and understood. Our staff are trained not just to lead games and manage logistics, but to listen deeply, support gently, and respond with empathy when a child feels overwhelmed, homesick, or unsure. This approach helps children take healthy risks, build confidence, and grow into themselves—at their own pace.

When you visit Camp Mákemáke, you’ll feel it right away: this is a camp where kids are known, where adults are attentive and warm, and where every detail—big and small—is taken seriously.

We’re proud of the systems we’ve built, the professionals we work with, and the trust families place in us each summer.

If you’d like to know more about how we care for your child’s safety and wellbeing at camp, we’d be happy to chat. After all, peace of mind for parents is part of the magic too.