5 summer camp safety tips for parents: how to prepare your child for a safe, confident experience

If camp is one of the top summer bucket list ideas for your kids, you know how important it is to find the right fit — and for them to stay safe as they have the time of their lives. With these summer camp safety tips, you can empower your kids to make new friends, build skills, and take important steps toward independence.

5 summer camp safety tips: How parents can put safety first

With the right preparation on your part, both you and your excited camper can have a fun, worry-free summer. Here’s how to put safety first in camp selection, packing, and more.

1. Vet each camp for safety and security

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Camps need to meet safety and security standards, including child-to-camper ratios and staff training. It’s part of why summer camp is expensive.

Every camp has a different approach to safety, and doing your research is the best way to know that they’re protecting your child in the way you’d want them to. Here’s what to check before you register:

• State licensing: Learn which regulations apply to camps in your area and verify that the camp meets all requirements.

• Camp accreditation: Verify that the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), whose standards go beyond state licensing requirements.

• Staff selection: Ask about staff qualifications and the hiring process, including required reference checks, behavioral interviews, and background screening.

• Emergency protocols: Get details on the camp’s procedure for different types of emergencies, including lost or injured campers.

Some families like to visit the facility to check it out for themselves, both for safety and to make sure it’s a good fit for kids. This is a great opportunity to involve your child in saving for summer camp.

2. Pack for outdoor protection and health

Any camping activities for kids will involve safety gear. Be sure your shopping list includes the following:

• Sunscreen: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15.

• Protective clothing: The AAP also suggests wearing sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection and a hat with a brim at least three inches wide. Long-sleeved shirts offer extra sun protection on the water and whenever your child is outdoors at midday.

• Hydration: Pack a water bottle to help your kids meet the recommended water intake. A 32-ounce bottle is within range for all age groups. Young kids can go with smaller sizes, while older kids and teens can handle 40 ounces or more.

• Footwear: Pack comfortable, well-fitting shoes with shock absorption to protect kids’ feet and ankles during high-impact activities. Include water shoes for waterfront activities, and make sure kids have plenty of socks to keep their feet dry.

• Tick protection: Look for insect repellent brands registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Spray shoes and clothing, especially shorts and pants, with permethrin before packing.

Your kids can be part of this process, too. Let your kids help you shop for supplies, and encourage them to use their own money if they really want to bring something. With Greenlight’s debit card for kids and teens, they can pay for that cute stationery set or new multitool right at checkout.

Involving your kids helps them learn that safety is their job, too — an important lesson for newly independent campers.

3. Schedule wellness checks and medical preparation

The AAP recommends sports physicals for all kids before starting a high-activity program, including a summer camp. These include a physical examination and a two-page questionnaire that you can download and complete before the visit.

Filling out the health history form with your child is a great way to teach self-advocacy. Use it as a segue to sharing these 10 safety rules for kids:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating and after using the restroom.

• Use only your own water bottle, toothbrush, comb, and anything else that comes into contact with your face or skin.

• Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

• Drink water consistently during the day, not only when you feel thirsty.

• When you’re outside in the middle of the day, wear a hat or spend as much time in the shade as possible.

• Observe wildlife at a distance and never touch a sick animal.

• Don’t eat any plants you find outdoors.

• Go to sleep at lights-out and use the rest hour for resting. Being too tired makes you more likely to get sick, which makes camp less fun.

• Tell a counselor if you get injured, don’t feel well, or get a bug bite, even if it seems like “nothing.”

• Wear closed-toe shoes whenever you’re active outdoors, and wear shower shoes or flip-flops in the shower.

4. Create a family check-in plan

Nine out of 10 camps are now phone-free for campers, which can be challenging for both parents and kids, especially those used to near-constant accessibility — especially since camps have different policies for family communications.

Some camps let kids call home whenever they feel the need, while others try to coach kids through homesickness on their own to build independence. Letters are the traditional method of camper-to-parent communications, but some camps now allow parents to send messages by email. Choose a camp with a policy that works for your family, and create your check-in plan around it.

5. Use safety devices and GPS trackers

If your child can’t bring a phone with GPS, there are other ways to keep track of their whereabouts. One option is a wearable ID tag that displays medical and emergency contact information, so the important details are always within reach.

Another option is a safety device like Greenlight's lightweight GPS tracker, a screen-free way to know where your kids are. The tracker provides precise location updates without needing a nearby phone. Plus, with a 30-day battery life, your child can explore their independence while you stay connected from afar. They’re easy to tie to a backpack or water bottle, so they don’t get lost.

Safety and peace of mind for parents

Summer camp is a milestone for growth, and with the right preparation, it can be a worry-free experience for the whole family. Help kids explore safely with Greenlight every step of the way.

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