Health, safety & security


What are the health and safety precautions taken throughout the camp?

  1. We stand by a safe and secure environment. The site is gated and WWSC has its own dedicated area within the compound.
  2. Strangers are not allowed within the WWSC camp area and visitors must be approved by the Director. Sleeping arrangements are separated by gender.
  3. Each dorm or tent has 1-2 counsellors of the same gender together with the youths.
  4. The high staff to camper ratio of 1:4 will warrant that ample attention can be given to individual campers and participants in ensuring their personal safety. Clear Health & Safety guidelines for staff and procedures are with reference to American Camping Association (ACA) guidelines.
  5. Should weather prove unsafe for outdoor activities, they will be rescheduled.

What are the safety precautions taken for river activities?

White Water Summer Camp's (WWSC) River Safety standards adhere to international standards of river safety (primarily Rescue 3 International). Members of our River Safety team are trained in the theory and practical of the following disciplines (non-exhaustive list):
  1. Rescue Philosophy
  2. Personal Equipment
  3. Basic Hydrology
  4. On-River Communication
  5. Safety Awareness
  6. Swiftwater Recovery Systems
  7. Personal Rescue
  8. Boat-Based Rescue
  9. Shore-Based Rescue
  10. Throw-rope Rescue
  11. Whitewater Swimming

The rivers which we utilise for WWSC river activities, namely Sungai Geroh and Sungai Geruntom range up to Class 3 waters. However, given the nature of the camp and physical capabilities of the campers, the portions of the river which will be used are mostly Class I with portions of Class II waters (more information on River Scales). Experienced members of our River Safety teams scout the river before entering to identify potential hazards (e.g. strainers and flash flood risk) and implement appropriate risk management procedures which include stopping the day's river activities due to safety reasons.

All campers regardless of swimming ability, undergo a river orientation which will provide them with the awareness and skills necessary to swim in swift water environments. In addition, all campers are provided with appropriate river safety equipment (which include a personal floating device, white water helmet, and rubber tube) with varying sizes to ensure proper fit. This greatly minimises the risk of harm to all campers.

Our River Safety staff are equipped with a range of equipment and training to perform a variety of rescues which include live bait, throw rope, mechanical advantage and boat-based rescues. This enables our team to perform rescues both on-river and off-river. Our River Safety staff are also trained in wilderness first aid and are complemented by our Health and Safety team which are able to ensure appropriate follow through measures.

Joshua Tay,
Head of River Safety

pictured on the right at Raft Guide Course (Penrith Whitewater, Australia)

Certified Whitewater Rescue Technician in accordance with Rescue 3 International standards.

Successfully completed Raft Guide Course by Penrith Whitewater in accordance with both Rescue 3 International and Australian Raft Guiding requirements (certified to conduct rafting trips up to Grade 3 waters).

Certified First Aider.

Completed Basic Level Child Protection and Safeguarding Course.

As Head of River Safety for WWSC, my role is to ensure systems and training are in place to provide a safe environment for all our campers. While our main role is to avoid any untoward events happening, the River Safety team remains vigilant in case a rescue is needed. There is no such thing as being over-prepared in the river. That said, we aim to keep our record of no major injuries in the river for all our camps.

Barnabas Liew Sung Zheng, River Master

Certified Whitewater Rescue Technician in accordance with Rescue 3 International standards.

My role as River Master is to ensure local knowledge of the river is applied to contextualise our training and safety standards. Our experience running WWSC in the same portions of the river over the past 8 years is what makes us confident of our ability to accurately assess risk and either avoid or deal with them accordingly.

How can I ensure my child will receive medical attention necessary should the need arise?

  1. Gopeng town has a few private clinics operating from 9am-9pm. They are about 10-15 minutes’ drive away from camp.
  2. In case of a medical emergency, the nearest hospital is in Ipoh or Kampar, approximately 30 minutes away.

Does my child require any vaccinations/immunisations for this camp?

All Malaysians should have received the necessary immunisations from birth to 15 years old.

If you are unsure about your child's immunisations, or desire additional immunisations e.g. against meningitis, please consult your local General Practitioner.


Are there certified health and safety personnel on-site?

  1. We have qualified, MOH-trained camp doctors on site at any given time.
  2. There are trained lifesavers on site along with certified First Aiders.
  3. There will be a qualified camp physiotherapist on particular days for minor injuries.