Emergency Preparedness at Camp

Beber Camp has a comprehensive Emergency Response Plan (ERP), developed in partnership with a security consulting firm, which outlines specific roles, actions, and timeframes to guide our response to emergencies and unexpected events, such as fire, severe weather, or an intruder on site.

We approach safety as a layered process, grounded in training, relationships, and proactive systems:

Training:
- Our full-time team reviews the ERP annually and conducts tabletop drills each spring, often in partnership with local law enforcement.
- During Leadership Week, our leadership staff train on multiple ERP scenarios and their responsibilities.
- During Staff Week, all staff participate in a half-day safety training. This includes presentations from key partners such as the Fire Department, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department, East Troy Police, and our private security team.
- During the first days of camp, we practice a fire drill and review both inclement weather and active threat protocols with campers.
Relationships:
We are grateful for strong relationships with:
- East Troy Police Department – including visits from the Chief of Police and regular visibility from patrol cars near our entrance.
- Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department
- Department of Natural Resources
- Wisconsin Jewish Security Network
- Secure Community Network (SCN)
- Federal Homeland Security and FBI

These relationships are not just names on a list, we engage them regularly for consultation, training, and presence at camp.

Security Features:
- Beber has 24/7 security, including armed personnel.
- Our main entrances are gated, and we have cameras positioned at entrances and other strategic locations (note: cameras are not actively monitored 24/7 but have AI to alert us to movement during the evening).
- Several key buildings can be secured quickly if needed, including Crown Hall, the Shower House, the Gym, and the Main Lodge (which includes the dining hall and several programming areas).
Off-Site Trips
- All of our trips are guided by our (ERP), which includes detailed protocols specific to off-site travel. While we don’t publicly advertise trip dates or destinations for security reasons, we take several key precautions to ensure safety:
  - Pre-Trip Planning: Each trip is reviewed in advance with safety in mind. This includes identifying nearby shelters, hospitals, and local law enforcement contacts in the area.
  - Trained Staff: All staff on trips are trained in our ERP procedures and carry communication tools to stay in contact with camp leadership.
  - Partner Coordination: For some trips, especially larger ones, we coordinate directly with vendors to ensure appropriate support is in place.
  - Discretion: We do not post real-time updates or details about trip logistics online, out of an abundance of caution.