Our safety plan: coyotes, first aid, and what we actually do
Parents ask us about safety more than anything else. That's exactly as it should be. You're handing us your child and trusting us to bring them back in one piece — happy, dirty, tired, but safe. Here's how we earn that trust.
The coyote question
Let's start with the one everyone's thinking about. Yes, there are coyotes in Stanley Park. The City of Vancouver tracks coyote activity and currently estimates a resident population in the park. They are a normal part of the urban ecosystem and have been in Stanley Park for decades.
Here's what Camp Howl does about it:
Before the season: We review the most recent Stanley Park Ecology Society coyote reports and adjust our route if a specific area has elevated activity. We walk every section of our route before the season starts.
Every day: Staff check the City of Vancouver coyote advisory page before camp. If there's a specific warning for our route area, we adjust.
On the trail: Both staff carry whistles. We stay in a group. Food is sealed in backpacks at all times — never out in the open. We make reasonable noise on the trail (twelve 5-year-olds are rarely quiet, which helps).
If we see a coyote: We stop. We gather the group. We make ourselves appear large and make noise. We do not run. We back away slowly and continue on an alternate route. This is consistent with the BC SPCA's coyote coexistence guidelines.
On day one: Every child is briefed on what a coyote looks like, what to do if they see one (tell an adult immediately, stay with the group, don't run), and why we keep food in our bags. We make this age-appropriate and non-scary — coyotes are part of the park, and understanding them is part of being in nature.
We have never had a coyote incident. But we plan as if one could happen every day. That's the difference between a safety plan and a hope.
First aid
Both on-site adults hold WorkSafeBC-approved first aid certification. This means they can respond to medical emergencies, manage injuries, administer CPR, and use an AED. The lead educator carries a comprehensive first aid kit at all times — it stays with the group, never in a car or at a base.
Minor injuries — bumps, scrapes, bruises, splinters. These happen. Kids run in forests. We treat them on-site, clean and bandage as needed, and let you know at pickup.
Moderate injuries — a sprain, a deeper cut, a bee sting with no allergy history. We treat on-site, call you immediately, and monitor. If it needs more than first aid, we take the child to the nearest medical facility.
Serious injuries or allergic reactions — We call 911 first, then you. If your child has an EpiPen or inhaler, we carry a spare in the first aid kit (you provide it at registration). The nearest emergency department is St. Paul's Hospital, approximately 12 minutes from our location. If an ambulance is needed, our rally point is the Rose Garden Pavilion parking lot on Pipeline Road — we guide paramedics there.
Lost child protocol
Our 1:6 ratio (two adults, max twelve children) makes this extremely unlikely. But we plan for it anyway.
Prevention: Headcount every 15 minutes and at every transition (trail to meadow, meadow to lunch spot, etc.). Children wear hi-vis safety vests. We use a buddy system on trail walks. One adult leads the group, one follows at the back. Nobody is behind the rear adult, ever.
If a child is missing:
- All activity stops. Group gathers. Immediate headcount.
- Both adults call the child's name and search the immediate area (one stays with the group).
- If not located within 3–5 minutes: call 911 and contact parents.
- Park rangers are notified.
- Children are taught on day one: if you get separated, stop where you are, blow your whistle, and call for help.
Weather safety
We operate rain or shine, but we cancel for lightning, dangerous winds (above 80 km/h), and poor air quality (AQHI 7+, consistent with Health Canada guidance).
Staff check the Environment Canada forecast every morning before camp. If conditions are borderline, the lead educator makes the call by 7:00 AM. Families are notified by 7:30 AM via text if camp is cancelled. Makeup days are offered.
Criminal record checks
Every adult who works with Camp Howl children — both regular staff and our on-call backup — undergoes a Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP) check through the BC Ministry of Public Safety. This is the same check required for school teachers and licensed childcare workers in BC. It is completed before the season begins.
Insurance
Camp Howl carries $2 million in commercial general liability insurance. This is not optional and it is not a minimum — it's the standard for children's programs operating in public spaces.
Allergies
All allergies are disclosed at registration and reviewed by both staff before day one. If a child has a severe allergy (anaphylaxis risk), we notify all other families and ask them to avoid the allergen in packed lunches. We maintain a nut-aware environment. No food sharing between children — this is a strict rule.
What we don't do
We don't guarantee a risk-free environment. That would be dishonest. Outdoor play involves inherent risks — uneven ground, weather, insects, wildlife, the unpredictability of nature. What we do is manage those risks systematically, transparently, and with the training and protocols to respond when something goes wrong.
We'd rather be honest about the risks and show you exactly how we handle them than promise a bubble-wrapped experience that doesn't exist in the real world.
Camp Howl operates in Stanley Park with a 1:6 staff ratio, certified staff, and a written safety plan. Register your interest →