3 Tips for Summer Camp Safety

Few things feel as nerve-racking as leaving your young kids in a potentially hostile environment, and yet millions of adults put themselves in this situation each time they take their children and teenagers to summer camp. From possible campfire burns to poisonous insect stings, there is a hazard around every tree. If you’re planning on dropping your kids off at a summer camp, then you’ll want to keep the following three safety tips in mind.

Prep Your First-Aid Kit

There are many common injuries at summer camp, so giving your child a first-aid kit and teaching them how to use it is key. For example, kids may experience painful insect stings, cuts and bruises, and even broken bones. The best kits have remedies for these and other common ailments. 

Here are just a few of the things your child’s kit can include:

• Bandages, adhesive and elastic
• Bug Bite Thing
• Antiseptic wipes
• Pain relievers
• Cold compresses

Have a Buddy System

Having a buddy system in place ensures that everyone is responsible for at least one other person at camp. It also means that if someone is injured on a trail, there is someone to go get help. It also decreases the likelihood that younger kids will wander off by themselves; if they have a buddy, then there is always someone around watching out for them.

Familiarize Yourself with Nature

Learning about nature and, more specifically, the hazards of nature can help your kids cut down on the injuries and accidents that they have while they are at camp. Most forested areas post signs about the hazards of campfires going awry. Some forest service offices also provide information about dangerous animals and plants in the area. If they don’t, then be sure to research the flora and fauna of your chosen summer camp’s area ahead of time. Then, educate the kids in your charge about each of these hazards so that they stay clear of things that will harm them out on the trail.

Sending kids to summer camp can be nerve wracking. After all, you’re sending off young people who may not have all of their decision-making skills fully developed. However, going camping, if done right, presents your kids with a perfect opportunity to practice some of these skills. That said, any camp experience that includes kids should also include plans for their safety. These three safety tips count among the most important ones you should consider when planning your child’s next wilderness outing.