Camp Safety: The Complete Parent's Checklist
Your child's safety is non-negotiable. This guide covers everything you need to verify before trusting a camp with your child—from staff screening to emergency protocols.
The Good News
Camps are statistically very safe. Serious injuries are rare, and ACA-accredited camps must meet 300+ health and safety standards. But due diligence matters—not all camps maintain the same standards.
✅Accreditation & Standards
American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation
ACA accreditation is the gold standard. Accredited camps undergo rigorous review of 300+ standards covering health, safety, staffing, programming, and facilities.
- ✓ Verified every 5 years with site visits
- ✓ Covers staff training, supervision, emergency procedures
- ✓ Only ~25% of camps are ACA accredited
- ✓ Verify at acacamps.org (not just the camp's claim)
Non-Accredited Doesn't Mean Unsafe
Many excellent camps aren't ACA accredited—it's voluntary and costs money. But without accreditation, YOU must do the verification that ACA would have done. Ask more questions and verify more thoroughly.
👥Staff Screening & Training
Questions to Ask:
- □What background checks are performed? Should include criminal, sex offender registry, and reference checks. Some do fingerprinting.
- □What training do counselors receive? Look for: CPR/First Aid, child abuse prevention, behavioral management, activity-specific training.
- □How long is staff training? Quality camps typically train staff 1-2 weeks before campers arrive.
- □What is the minimum age for counselors? Cabin counselors should be at least 18; many camps require 21+.
- □What is staff turnover like? Experienced returning staff indicates a well-run camp.
👀Supervision Ratios
Standard Ratios (ACA Recommendations)
Day Camps
- Ages 4-5: 1:5
- Ages 6-8: 1:6
- Ages 9-14: 1:8
- Ages 15-17: 1:10
Overnight Camps
- Ages 4-5: 1:4
- Ages 6-8: 1:5
- Ages 9-14: 1:6
- Ages 15-17: 1:8
Key Questions:
- • How do ratios change during water activities? (Should be stricter)
- • What is the ratio at night? (Cabin counselors should always be present)
- • Are there at least 2 adults present at all times? (Prevents 1-on-1 isolation)
🏥Medical Care & Health
Essential Questions:
- □Is there medical staff on-site? Overnight camps should have RN or EMT present 24/7 or immediately available.
- □Where is the nearest hospital? Response time matters—remote camps should have helicopter access plans.
- □How are medications stored and administered? Should be locked, logged, and managed by trained staff.
- □How are allergies managed? Especially food allergies—epinephrine availability, kitchen protocols.
- □What is the illness policy? How are contagious illnesses handled?
🏊Activity Safety
High-Risk Activity Questions:
Water Activities (Swimming, Boating)
- • Are lifeguards certified? How many on duty?
- • Are swim tests required before deep water access?
- • What are boating PFD (life jacket) policies?
Adventure Activities (Climbing, Ropes Course)
- • What certifications do instructors hold?
- • How often is equipment inspected?
- • What is the policy for helmet and harness use?
Horseback Riding
- • Are helmets required for all riders?
- • What is the instructor's experience level?
- • How are horses matched to rider experience?
🚨Emergency Protocols
Verify These Protocols:
- □Emergency communication: How will you be notified of an emergency? Within what timeframe?
- □Severe weather: What happens during lightning, tornadoes, or severe storms?
- □Missing camper: What is the search protocol?
- □Fire safety: How often are fire drills conducted? Smoke detectors in cabins?
- □Intruder/lockdown: Does the camp have a security protocol?
🚩Red Flags
Walk Away If:
- ⚠ They're evasive about background checks or training
- ⚠ Staff ratios are significantly below ACA standards
- ⚠ No medical professional on staff for overnight camps
- ⚠ They refuse to let you visit or tour facilities
- ⚠ They can't provide parent references
- ⚠ Recent incidents they won't discuss transparently
- ⚠ Pressure to register without answering your questions
- ⚠ No clear emergency contact protocol
📋Complete Safety Question Checklist
Print this list and use it when speaking with camps:
Accreditation
□ Is the camp ACA accredited? □ Can I verify independently?
Staff
□ Background checks? □ Training duration? □ Minimum age? □ Returning staff %?
Supervision
□ Staff-to-camper ratio? □ Night supervision? □ Two-adult rule?
Medical
□ On-site medical staff? □ Nearest hospital? □ Medication protocols? □ Allergy management?
Activities
□ Lifeguard certifications? □ Equipment inspections? □ Helmet policies?
Emergency
□ Parent notification policy? □ Weather protocols? □ Missing camper procedure? □ Fire drills?
The Bottom Line
Asking safety questions isn't being a "helicopter parent"—it's responsible parenting. Good camps welcome thorough questions because they're proud of their safety record. If a camp gets defensive or dismissive about safety inquiries, that tells you everything you need to know.