Health, Safety & Supervision

We take seriously the care and safe-keeping of your child. Every TCE staff member is CPR certified and background checked, and we are minutes away from emergency responders. Physical as well as emotional health is of the utmost importance, however TCE is not designed as a treatment, therapy or rehabilitation center or staffed for one-on-one care. TCE is permitted by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Camp in the time of COVID takes on an even more elevated list of procedures and protocols, including vaccination for staff, testing prior to camp and also on-site, cohorting, masks, distancing, handwashing, sanitizing, health checks, ventilation and more.  We model our approach on the American Camp Association Field Guide, 137 pages endorsed by the CDC. We stay closely informed so we’re prepared to adjust as new data and guidelines are released.

Children’s Responsibility – at TCE, campers and students experience a tremendous amount of freedom and choice coupled with clear expectations. Children are oriented to the spaces on the farm and shown how to interact safely with the animals and on the land. We find children are more capable than many adults believe, and they appreciate and respect the freedom they have on the farm. Just as with other areas of life, there are times we all mess up – these are handled with a mature conversation about respect, dignity and logical consequences.