Will your child be safe at summer camp?
Summer camp can provide your child with a great opportunity for learning, fun and personal growth – but it’s vital you check out camp safety policies before choosing one. Camps without appropriate guidelines can put your child at risk from insufficient supervision, injury and bullying. Asking the right questions before signing your child up can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring a summer of happy memories…
1 Is the camp ACA accredited?
Accreditation with the American Camp Association isn’t a 100% guarantee of safety and some states have more rigorous standards than the ACA but the association does evaluate safety, health, program and camp operations as part of its accreditation process. As an added precaution, ask for references – the camp director should be happy to provide these.
2 Does it have a written health and safety policy?
Ask for a copy and check it has been approved by a pediatrician. As far as specifics go, is there a medical protocol so that all members know their role and what to do (and what not to do) in the event of a sudden illness or medical emergency, or in the event of a child getting lost? Is a first-aid kit taken on field trips and visits and will the trip leader have extra first aid training and be over a certain age? Does the camp have an arrangement with a nearby trained medical professional or medical facility in case of emergencies? How unwell would your child have to be for you to be contacted and asked to collect him? Is there an emergency number where you can reach the camp if the need arose?
3 Is there an emergency plan?
Does the camp have a plan in place to cope with security threats (for example, child abduction), health emergencies (such as communicable diseases, or food poisoning) and natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and forest fires).
Ask if a child has ever been seriously injured while at the camp or if a child has ever died while there. Ask about that happened and what the camp has done in response
4 What’s the ratio of counselors to children?
Check that the staff-to-child ratio is appropriate for different age groups and for your child’s temperament and personality. If he’s a handful who might need close supervision on a field trip then you need to be sure there will be enough adults in attendance. For a sleepaway camp, the American Camp Association (ACA) recommends:
- One staff member for every five campers ages 4 and 5 (every six campers in this age range at day camp).
- One staff member for every six campers ages 6 to 8 (every eight campers in this age range at day camp).
- One staff member for every eight campers ages 9 to 14 (every 10 campers in this age range at day camp).
- One staff member for every 10 campers ages 15 to 17 (every 12 campers in this age range at day camp).
6 How old are the camp counselors?
The ACA recommends that 80% or more of the counseling/program staff be at least 18 years old. Overall, staff must be at least 16 years old and be at least two years older than the campers with whom they work. In special needs camps, 100% of the counseling/program staff must be at least 18 years old.
7 How are the counselors vetted?
Ask about the screening process for camp counselors – after all, if your child is at a sleepaway camp they’ll be caring for him 24-7. The camp should check the counselors’ swimming, driving and criminal records, and their prior employment histories in case they’ve been fired by other camps. Counselors should also have a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate and be trained in first aid.
8 How is medication handled?
If your child needs to take medication for a chronic health condition (for example, asthma) ask how it will be stored and transported on field trips. Make sure his meds are labeled with his name and dosage details. If he needs to have an Epi-pen with him ensure that the staff are familiar with how to use it. Remember to check on what basis your child would be given over-the-counter medication such as pain relievers or fever reducers. It should be OK to provide sunscreen, bug spray and sunburn/poison oak reliever such as calamine lotion or aloe vera gel.
It’s vital that you alert the camp staff in regard to any medical conditions or special needs your child has, and provide updated multiple contact numbers in case of emergencies
9 How does the camp handle summer sun and heat?
Ask if camp counselors are permitted to apply sunscreen to the children in their care and if not ensure your child knows how to apply it and where. Check if the counselors have been advised to remind children about this, since it’s a detail that will be easily forgotten by an excited tween. If your child burns easily, then take the precaution of supplying UV-protective clothing for him to wear on field trips and for swimming. What about the heat? If children are spending a lot of time outdoors will extra drinks be provided (a lunchtime juicebox won’t be enough) and will there be shade and sufficient rest periods?
10 Are counselors aware of specific health risks?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the health issues that most commonly come up at summer camp include upper respiratory tract infections, vomiting and diarrhea, impetigo and fungal skin infection, asthma and allergies, ear infections, sore throat, head lice, pinkeye, poison ivy/poison oak and sunburn and heat-related illness. Check that there is a policy in place that ensures counselors are familiar with the precautions they should be taking to ensure basic hygiene and avoid these problems. They should also be aware of how to identify and treat these problems (for example, can they spot the signs of dehydration and heat stroke; and what would they do to cool sunburn?). Depending on where the camp is you might also want to check if counselors are knowledgeable about Lyme disease.
11 What about water safety?
Will your child’s swimming abilities be assessed by a qualified swimming instructor ahead of any water-based activities and will trained water safety instructors and lifeguards be present at the camp and on field trips that involve water activities? Will lifejackets be worn? Will water play take place only at bodies of water where government permits allowing activities has been issued?
12 What about road and vehicle safety?
Will any vehicles be on-site at the camp? If children are being transported on field trips, will they be driven by an older counselor who has experience of maneuvering larger automobiles such as buses? Does the camp bus have seat belts? Has it been regularly inspected by a qualified mechanic?
13 What about my child’s wellbeing?
Ask about the camp’s discipline policy and whether counselors have been trained in conflict resolution and bullying/abuse awareness and prevention. How is bullying, harassment, and abuse dealt with and are campers made aware of who to talk to and what to do if they’re feeling unsafe or threatened? Are there rules that prohibit counselors or other personnel from being alone, one-on-one, with campers and will different age groups be kept separate from each other for activities and sleeping? Will there be at least two adult counselors in each sleeping unit at all times overnight? How does the camp handle homesickness?