Overnight and day camps are not only an excellent childcare option for working parents, but they also allow kids to find their voice, build resilience, and develop the confidence to fend for themselves.
What’s more, being physically active outdoors can reduce stress and anxiety, support sleep habits, and help maintain a healthy body – and those are just a few of the many physical and mental health benefits.
Whether you have already found a camp that aligns with the interests of your child or are evaluating options, here are some tips to ensure that summer camp adventures are also safe and healthy.
Be prepared
Communicating with the camp staff is essential to making sure children are safe while in someone else’s care.
Be sure to understand the camp’s policies, including:
- Protocols for prescription and over-the-counter medications, including inhalers and EpiPens.
- Helmet use. Whether riding a scooter or bike, horseback riding, etc., children should always wear a properly fitted helmet. If the camp does not provide them, can you supply a helmet for your child?
- Swim safety measures, including lifeguard supervision, required life jackets for non-swimmers, and swimming ability assessments.
- Who will deliver health care at camp?
- Travel protocols, including vehicle safety and extreme heat precautions.
- Food and snack availability and precautions.
Plan to schedule a pre-camp physical, where your child’s pediatrician can review medications, allergies, health conditions, and immunizations. Some camps require pre-camp physicals, and many have health forms that will need to be filled out in advance. Be thorough with these forms, so the camp staff is prepared to meet your child’s health needs, including emotional and social.
Children may also need to be prepared for the camp experience. Feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or homesickness should be acknowledged to validate their feelings. Help them prepare by:
- Sharing specific camp activities or visiting the camp before so they can become familiar with the environment.
- Making sure they know what to expect, including the daily routine, activities, and rules.
- Discussing a communication plan with them, so they know you are accessible.
- Letting them choose their camp gear and clothing, as well as activities, so they feel more confident.
- Reminding them that camp is all about having fun, making friends, learning new skills, and indulging in interests they may not have time for during the school year.
Swim Safety
Many camps offer swimming activities, making water safety a critical consideration. Parents should discuss the following swim safety measures with their children and camp supervisors:
- Never swim alone. Only swim when there is an adult present or a lifeguard on duty.
- Parents should inform camp supervisors whether their children are strong swimmers.
- Never jump into the water to rescue someone in distress. Instead, call for help and use a flotation device, such as a swim noodle or pole, to reach the person and pull them to safety.
- Never dive into water headfirst. This can result in serious injury if the depth is unknown.
- Life jackets should be worn while boating or using rafts, inner tubes, or docks. If a child is an inexperienced swimmer, a properly fitted life jacket should be used in the water.
Healthy hand habits
Summer camp is just like school, with children in close contact with each other during the day, playing outdoors, sharing playground equipment and toys, and eating meals together. Just like during the school year, proper hand hygiene can prevent common illnesses like colds, stomach flu, and other contagious diseases. Are hand-washing facilities available, and is hand washing encouraged?
In addition, children should be discouraged from sharing helmets, hats, hair brushes, or pillows. Make sure children understand they should not eat or drink using the same utensils or cup after their friends.
Sun safety
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all kids, regardless of their skin tone, wear water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher applied every two hours.
Kids should use generous amounts of sunscreen on every exposed body part including arms, legs, face, ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and the front and back of the neck. If the camp asks children to apply their own sunscreen, practice with your child ahead of time.
Clothing also offers a layer of protection from the sun. Look for lightweight, tightly woven clothes or items labeled “sun protective.” Encourage children to find shade whenever possible, and make sure they understand the signs of overheating, so they know when to seek help.
Hydration
Good hydration habits start long before summer camp, so be sure your child has developed them. Children have a higher ratio of body surface to area body mass, making them more prone to heat-related illnesses from dehydration, especially during an active, hot summer.
Ask about the camp’s hydration policies. Is the camp staff trained to spot signs of heat-related illness?
Summer camp is more relaxed than the school routine, providing time for free play and screen-free exploration. With a little preparation, summer camp can also be a safe, fun experience.