FAQs
Eaton Fire Update
UPDATE 3/1/25
Eight weeks after the fire, we are pleased to share that TSC has had NO significant increase of hazardous air, water, or soil recorded at/near camp. See details and links below. We understand the safety of campers is our most important job. We will continue to actively monitor this and will reach out if anything changes. If you have questions that are not answered by the below, please call our office. We are always happy to chat with you.
WATER:
- TSC gets its water from the City of Pasadena Water and Power (not from Altadena/Lincoln source). The water quality was cleared for drinking shortly after the fires.
- Any ice or water brought down to camp for drinking purposes comes from our office and from a filtered system.
- Use the link HERE to learn more and to monitor the water quality at City of Pasadena Water and Power
AIR:
- There are multiple air monitoring stations in and around camp, including JPL and LCHS.
- Currently all air quality in and around camp is good.
- There are many links to monitor Air Quality in our area. Here are a few closer to camp:
SOIL:
- There have been several reputable soil tests completed recently. TSC is outside the burn scar and they are showing no impact near camp.
- Debris coming down into watershed near the dam is all from mountain burns and consists of dirt, mud, ash, charcoal, logs, and rocks. This is not at camp and is off limits to campers and staff.
- The hazardous toxins of concern are from structure burns (batteries, chemicals, plastics, electronics, insulation). What we’ve learned is these soil toxins do not travel far because they are heavy. They are limited to the burn zone and in some cases, burn zone adjacent. These are not migrating to camp or the watershed.
- Use these link to review soil testing at nearby schools and sand play areas. Which show no harmful materials from the fires in nearby soil.
- Sandbox Testing (great map). TSC is the far left white circle area
- PUSD Testing
- USC Soil Testing
ORIGINAL UPDATE After Eaton Fire
At Tom Sawyer Camps, the safety of our campers, staff, and community is our number one priority. Since 1926 and in our 99 years of running camp, we’ve nurtured and protected generations of children as they explored, played and learned under our care.
In this time, we safely navigated Covid, numerous wind and rainstorms, the Station Fire, and other natural events in our area. However, the enormity of the Eaton Fire coupled with 70+ winds is unprecedented. Our hearts and thoughts are with our local community that have been impacted by this event.
Historically, we’ve consulted with numerous professionals to safely navigate adverse events. We will similarly lean into the scientific and professional resources we have available to help make camp safe after these fires and structures that have burned. While the emerging wildfire insights are still quite fluid, our goal as we head towards Summer 2025, is to lean into and seek out the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure a safe summer.
We empathize with any concerns you may have and will do our best to secure answers and respond to any questions you may have. Rest assured that we have everyone in mind as we run camp for our 99th summer. While it may be months away, our hearts and minds are focused on helping kids be kids at camp. They need it now more than ever.
Please feel free to call or email us if you have any specific questions and we will do our best to answer them.
When can I register for Summer Camp? Do I have to be a veteran family?
Summer camp registration opens to everyone January 16th at 7AM. Regardless if you are a new or veteran family, we strongly encourage ALL families to register as soon as registration opens. For more information on registration or waitlists see our Registration Information page.
Are all summer sessions 5 days a week?
Yes, all summer camp sessions are 5 days a week. While campers can be absent days from a session, these dates cannot be credited or exchanged for other sessions dates (no makeup days).
Does TSC provide transportation?
Parents should plan to drop off and pick up at camp each day.
There will be three big yellow bus pick up point in the LA Zoo, South Pas and East Pasadena areas that will provide transportation to and from camp. Seats are limited and fees apply. Sign up at Registration.
Camp transportation to and from the pool and to Outpost activities is provided and included in your camp tuition.
Masks may be required at drop off and pick up, and on any transportation while at camp depending on current health orders.
Can you tell me about water safety and supervision?
Safety is at the core of our aquatic program, and safety of campers and staff is paramount. Aquatic activities at camp require certified, trained staff in appropriate ratios, skill testing, safety systems, rescue equipment, rehearsed emergency procedures, and other guidelines to reinforce risk management and safety.
The key to water safety is proper supervision. TSC employs approximately 6 pool staff supervised by 2 on deck directors. All pool staff are certified by the American Red Cross as Lifeguards, including First Aid, CPR and AED certifications. Lifeguards rotate stations every 20 minutes. Our Lifeguard staff regularly practice response drills to ensure vigilance.
Group Counselors swim with their campers along with lifeguard staff. Additional lifeguards are on deck supervising at all times. We maintain 4:1 supervision ratio of campers to pool staff/lifeguards.
TSC uses float ropes to designate water depths and separate campers accordingly into swim levels for all water activities. When in the water, non-swimmers are within arm’s reach of a supervising adult during swim lessons.
Swimming at camp is different than swimming in a home pool or in other pool environments, due to the length of the camp day and nature of the program. During free swim, all non-swimmers will be required to wear Coast Guard approved life vests. Due to the thoroughness of our swim test, this will be most swimmers.
Campers are in the pool for a 35-40-minute swim block; at least 20 minutes of the block is a lesson followed by free swim. Before free swim, all staff and campers are required to swim to the side of the pool to ensure pool is clear. The pool’s lap lane and deep end are roped off and only used by our highest-level swimmers with supervision.
We conduct swim assessments on a camper’s first day of camp and use a wrist band system to identify swim level. Campers may only leave the shallow end of the pool once they’ve demonstrated proficiency to do so. Swim levels are evaluated on an ongoing basis. A large part of our job is knowing the abilities of the children in the water.
Can you tell me about camp safety?
Safety is at the core of all Tom Sawyer Camps’ programs. Many of our specialist activities at camp require certified, trained staff in appropriate ratios, skill testing, safety systems, rescue equipment, rehearsed emergency procedures, and other guidelines to reinforce risk management and safety.
The key to safety at camp is proper training and supervision, and camper to counselor ratios. The majority of our senior staff are First Aid and CPR certified. All pool staff are certified by the American Red Cross as Lifeguards, including First Aid, CPR and AED certifications.
Our American Camp Association accreditation (see FAQ below) is one of the many ways we ensure quality programming that is both safe and impactful. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about our programs. Please email us at info@tsc.camp or call us at 626-794-1156.
Tom Sawyer follows all the Day Camp Health Orders issued by the City of Pasadena and Los Angeles County. Campers should not come to camp if they are not feeling well. If you have questions, please call our office.
Protecting children and youth is core to TSC’s mission. We have a zero tolerance policy for any form of abuse or harassment. TSC carefully screens applicants, including requiring a clear Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprint and child abuse prevention training for all staff.
Can you tell me about who accredits your camp?
Tom Sawyer Camps is a proud to be a member of and be accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) for over 40 years! The ACA ensures the highest professional practices and administration in order to provide for the unique experiences offered in organized camping. The ACA’s extensive standards accreditation program requires us to be visited every five years in order to maintain our accreditation.
ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies which helps assure that current practices at TSC reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. ACA goes beyond basic requirements for health and cleanliness but also sets standards for programming, camp staff, emergency management plans, and many other areas. ACA applies separate standards for activities such as waterfront, horseback riding, and adventure and travel.
ACA helps our directors provide the best possible experience for campers. Your child is enrolled in an ACA accredited camp and we are proud of our association with the ACA. TSC is also a proud member of the Western Association of Independent Camps.