Activities and Risks
I understand that Camp Manito-wish YMCA, Inc. (Manito-wish) participants live, camp and travel out of doors. Activities vary from program to program and include, among others, hiking and backpacking through mountainous and other terrain, whitewater canoeing, sea kayaking, fishing and portaging. I further understand and acknowledge that the activities of the programs have risks, including certain risks which are inherent. Inherent risks are those which cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of the activities. The same elements that contribute to the unique character of these activities can cause loss or damage to equipment, accidental injury, illness, or, in extreme cases, permanent trauma, disability or death. The following describes some, but not all, of the inherent risks of Manito-wish activities:

• Manito-wish activities may be strenuous both physically and emotionally.
• Manito-wish programs usually occur in remote places. They occur on lands open to the public, and exposed to the acts of persons not associated with Manito-wish. The remote locations may be many days from medical facilities. Communication and transportation are difficult and evacuations and medical care may be significantly delayed.
• Equipment may fail or malfunction.
• Meals are prepared over gas stoves and open fires. Water may require purification before use. Participants with food allergies or sensitivities may come in contact with offending food types. Camping risks include burns and cuts, sprains, strains and other injuries from slips, falls, and lifting, and illnesses including diarrhea and flu-like illness.
• Travel is by vehicle, canoe, kayak, aircraft, train, on foot and by other means, over improved and unimproved roads, rugged trails and off-trail terrain, including boulder fields, downed timber, rivers, rapids, river crossings, high mountain passes, snow, steep slopes, slippery rocks, ocean tides, currents and waves. Travel risks include collision, falling, capsizing, drowning, becoming lost, and other risks usually associated with such travel, including environmental risks.
• Environmental risks and hazards include flowing, deep and/or cold water; insects, snakes, predators, and large animals; falling and rolling rock; lightning, flash floods, falling timber and forces or nature, including weather which may change to extreme conditions. Possible injuries and illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite, immersion foot, high altitude illnesses, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, and other mild or serious conditions.
• Decisions made by the trip leaders, other staff (including volunteers), contractors and participants will be based on a variety of perceptions and evaluations, which by their nature are imprecise and subject to errors in judgment. Misjudgments may pertain to, among other things, a participant’s capabilities, environment, terrain, water and weather conditions, natural hazards, routes and medical conditions.
• During the trip, Manito-wish cannot continually monitor the behavior and activities of participants and participants must accept responsibility for themselves and others whether or not under the direct supervision of Manito-wish staff.
• Manito-wish may from time to time use the services of private contractors for certain tasks, including transportation. Manito-wish is not responsible for the acts or omissions of such contracts.
• I have read and understand the general information about Manito-wish and its programs in the Manito-wish brochure and/or on the Manito-wish website. The staff of Manito-wish has been available to more fully explain the nature and physical demands of the activities in which I will be engaged, and certain inherent and other risks of my Manito-wish activity.

Acknowledge and Assumption of Inherent and Other Risks

I understand and acknowledge that the description above (“Activities and Risks”) of the inherent risks of Manito-wish’s activities above is not complete and that other, including unknown or unanticipated risks, inherent and otherwise, may result in property loss, injury, illness or death. I acknowledge that my participation in this Manito-wish program is purely voluntary, and I wish to participate in spite of and with knowledge of the inherent and other risks involved. I acknowledge and assume the inherent risks described above and all other inherent risks of my Manito-wish activity. In addition, except with respect to an injury or other loss which occurs on lands whose rules or regulations prohibit my doing so as a matter of law, I expressly assume ALL risks of enrolling and participating in a Manito-wish program, inherent or otherwise, and whether or not described above.

Agreements of Release and Indemnity

If I am an adult participant, or the parent of a minor participant I agree, for myself and/or on behalf of the minor participant for whom I sign, as follows:

I hereby release, hold harmless and agree not to sue Camp Manito-wish YMCA, Inc., its officers, trustees, agents, and staff including employees and volunteers (“Released Parties”), with respect to any and all claims of loss or damage to person or property by reason of injury, disability, death, or otherwise, suffered by me or by a minor participant for whom I sign, arising in whole or part from my, or the minor participant’s, enrollment or participation in an activity of Manito-wish.

I agree further to indemnify (“indemnify” meaning to defend, and to pay or reimburse, including costs and attorney’s fees) Released Parties against any claim by a member of my, or the minor participants, family, a rescuer, another participant, or any other person, arising in whole or part from an injury or other loss suffered by me or caused by me, or by the minor participant, in connection with my, or the minor participant’s, enrollment or participation in an activity of Manito-wish.

These agreements of Release and Indemnity include claims of negligence of a Released Party, but not of gross negligence or intentionally wrongful conduct. They are intended to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. These agreements of release and indemnity are of no force or effect with respect to an injury or other loss which occurs on lands whose rules or regulations prohibit such agreements as a matter of law.

Other Provisions

If I am an adult participant or the parent of a minor participant I further agree, for myself and on behalf of the minor participant for whom I sign, as follows:

I have verified with my or the minor participant’s physician and other medical professionals, or otherwise satisfied Manito-wish, that I, or the minor participant, have no past or current physical or psychological condition that might affect my, or the minor’s, participation in the program, other than as described on the health form submitted to Manito-wish. I am, or the minor is, able to participate without causing harm to myself, or to himself or herself, or to others. The medical information given to Manito-wish is accurate and all pertinent medical conditions have been disclosed. Prior to start of the trip, Manito-wish will be informed of any medical condition that has not been previously disclosed. I understand that Manito-wish’s admission of me or the minor participant is not intended as a representation that Manito-wish staff will be able to manage successfully a medical event or emergency related to a disclosed, or undisclosed, medical condition. Manito-wish reserves the right to refuse admission or remove a participant from a trip for any reason it deems in the best interests of the participant or the program.

Manito-wish is authorized to obtain or provide emergency hospitalization, surgical or other medical care for me, or for the minor participant. I understand that situations may arise in which third-party medical care is not available and which require Manito-wish staff to provide first aid and possibly more advanced procedures, employing Wilderness First Responder training. Such care will be provided under guidance of the Manito-wish Consulting Physician and Wilderness Medical Associates Wilderness Protocols. Any third-party medical care provided is authorized to exchange pertinent medical nformation with Manito-wish. Costs reasonably associated with medical services, including evacuation, shall be borne by me.

I agree to be responsible for any damage I, or the minor participant, may cause to Manito-wish facilities or gear. Manito-wish is not responsible for loss, theft or damage to a participant’s personal belongings stored at Manito-wish facilities.

Any dispute between me, or the minor participant, and Manito-wish will be governed by the substantive laws (not including the laws which might apply the laws of another jurisdiction) of the State of Wisconsin, and any mediation or suit shall occur or be filed only in the State of Wisconsin.

If any of this agreement is found by a court or other appropriate authority to be invalid, the remainder of the agreement nevertheless will be in full force and effect.

THE PARTICIPANT AND THE PARENT(S) OR GUARDIAN OF A MINOR PARTICIPANT HAVE READ THIS PAGE AND THE PREVIOUS PAGES OF THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO ITS TERMS, WHICH SHALL BE BINDING UPON THEM, THEIR HEIRS, ESTATE, EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS. THE AGREEMENT MAY BE MODIFIED ONLY IN WRITING.