Safety

Our Commitment to Safety

JH Ranch has built its safety practices on decades of experience, nationally recognized standards, and a genuine commitment to the families who trust us. We do not treat safety as a minimum threshold to clear, we treat it as an ongoing pursuit that demands constant attention, honest evaluation, and a willingness to keep improving.

Emergency Procedures

JH Ranch maintains detailed emergency action plans covering a wide range of scenarios, including severe weather, power outages, fire, wildlife encounters, medical emergencies, missing persons, evacuation, active threat situations and much more. All staff are trained on their specific roles and responsibilities before each program season begins, and those procedures are regularly reviewed and updated.

Emergency Communications

JH Ranch uses Visiplex, a leading provider of wireless emergency notification systems, to support property-wide communication during critical situations. The Visiplex system enables staff to instantly broadcast live voice alerts, pre-recorded emergency messages, and audio-visual notifications across our entire campus, ensuring that every guest and staff member can be reached quickly and clearly, regardless of where they are on the property. This infrastructure is a key part of how we respond rapidly and communicate effectively when it matters most.

Abuse Prevention

JH Ranch partners with MinistrySafe (ministrysafe.com), a nationally recognized leader in abuse awareness and prevention training for ministry settings. Through this partnership, all staff are trained to recognize warning signs, maintain appropriate boundaries, and actively work to prevent situations that could lead to harm.

We routinely evaluate our properties for potential risk areas and adjust systems and facilities accordingly. Any suspicion or report of abuse is reported immediately to the appropriate authorities, in compliance with California state law.

We encourage parents to talk with their children before they come about how to speak up if they ever feel uncomfortable. JH Ranch provides discreet ways for guests to communicate concerns, which are regularly reviewed by their coaches and program leadership. As required by law, any suspicion or report of abuse is immediately reported to the appropriate authorities.

Activity Safety

Lake and Pool Activities

American Red Cross certified lifeguards are on duty at all aquatic activities. Our pool and lake areas are regularly tested to meet applicable health and safety standards.

Challenge Course

All challenge course elements are facilitated by staff trained in accordance with Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) standards by a professional vendor mentor. Equipment and structural elements receive professional inspections weekly, quarterly, and annually.

Equestrian Program

Equestrian activities are facilitated by staff trained in horsemanship and equine safety.

White Water Rafting

A certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is present on every rafting trip, positioned at the rear of the group to monitor the full party and respond immediately should any situation arise on the river. Every individual river pod includes a certified Wilderness First Aid (WFA) provider, ensuring trained emergency response is always within immediate reach of every guest on the water.

Wilderness Adventures

A certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR) accompanies every Wilderness Adventure group for the duration of the outing, ensuring professional-level emergency care is available at all times in the backcountry.

Food Safety

Our kitchen operates under the same licensing and regulatory standards as a public restaurant. We accommodate all nine major allergens and maintain special diet options and menu alternatives for guests with dietary restrictions or severe food allergies. Please contact us in advance of your stay so we can serve you well.

Facilities

Our facilities are built and maintained with guest safety in mind. All lodging areas are equipped with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and clearly posted emergency procedures. Our maintenance team conducts routine inspections and preventative upkeep across all buildings and program areas. We regularly assess our grounds for security and make improvements as needed to ensure a well-maintained, secure environment for every guest.

Health Care

JH Ranch provides on-site healthcare support across all of our programs. 

Certified Medical Staff

During our programs, JH Ranch has one licensed nurse or medical doctor on-site at all times. Medical protocols are reviewed annually under the oversight of a qualified physician. 

Handwashing, hydration, sun protection, and general hygiene are woven into the rhythm of each day, with staff actively supporting and encouraging guests in these routines.

Emergency Evacuation Insurance

For activities that take place in remote or backcountry settings, JH Ranch strongly encourages all guests to consider purchasing emergency helicopter evacuation insurance through our partnership with Mercy Flight. This coverage ensures that guests can receive rapid air transport to medical facilities in the event of a serious emergency, regardless of location. Coverage is available for purchase at mercyflights.com/combined-group.

Program Specifics

Carefully Selected, Well-Trained Summer Crew

Each summer, JH Ranch recruits from a competitive pool of college-aged applicants and selects those who demonstrate strong character, genuine care for young people, a commitment to serve and grow, and alignment with our mission. A significant portion of our summer crew are returning guests and crew, which brings experience, consistency, and continuity to our guest care.

Our selection process involves in-depth interviews exploring personal background, character, and a candidate’s approach to responsibility and relationships with children. All candidates who advance undergo comprehensive background checks, including a national sex offender registry screening conducted by a MinistrySafe, as well as reference verification.

Once hired, staff complete a rigorous on-site training before the first guest arrives. 

Guest Supervision and Structure

Guests at JH Ranch stay with consistent huddle groups throughout their time with us. This structure allows coaches to genuinely know each guest and provide individualized attention and care. Because guests move together as a group, situations where a guest is alone with a single staff member in a private setting are actively avoided – this is built into how our program is designed, not just a policy on paper.

Each cabin group is overseen by a coach responsible for that group’s day-to-day care, safety, and well-being. Coaches report to a program director who remains actively engaged across the program they support. Relationship-building and activity instruction are intentionally separated so that both coaches and staff can focus on what they do best.

Questions about safety at JH Ranch? Contact us at 1-800-242-1224.