No one expects an injury or illness to derail their camp experience—but when an accident happens, it can have lasting negative effects. Injuries don’t just devastate campers; they can also threaten a camp’s finances and harm its reputation. Reducing the risk of injury for campers, camp staff, and anyone else who sets foot on your property is foundational to protecting your financial security.
From activity-related mishaps to workplace accidents, camps should take steps to prevent possible injuries and prepare themselves to respond when injuries occur. The resources below can help you protect campers and staff from common injuries and illnesses.
6 Points of Prevention
Injury prevention goes beyond protecting against falls. Consider six areas that could cause big trouble for your camp.
Fire Safety
Keep up building maintenance with regular furnace cleaning and electrical inspections. Make sure all fire pits are on level ground and located at least 10 feet away from nearby structures. Keep combustibles away from heat sources—both inside and outside.
Water Safety
To protect campers, always keep a lifeguard on duty and require swimmers to wear life jackets. Encourage people to swim in pairs or groups so no one is left alone.
Food Storage
Contaminated food can cause an illness outbreak throughout your camp. Keep thermometers on all equipment that stores food, and check them regularly to make sure temperatures stay below 41 degrees Fahrenheit or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Medication Security
Your camp nurses and essential staff should know which campers require medication and when it needs to be administered. Additionally, all medications should be stored in a secure place only accessible by designated personnel.
First Aid & Health
A staff member with training in the appropriate level of first aid and CPR/AED should always be on duty, and someone should oversee all first aid kits, ensuring they are properly stocked with essential supplies.
Evacuation Plans
Everyone on your property should know where to go in an emergency. Provide people with tangible evacuation steps to take during an emergency. This will reduce the likelihood of injuries.
