Ironing Out The Details

Eight ways to prepare for a safe and healthy camp season

By John-Michael Kibrick

While the real fun kicks off in the summer, preparations for camp begin long before the first child arrives. 

© Can Stock Photo / nikkytok

In fact, does camp season ever really end for administrators? Even if you take some time off in the colder months, a checklist of preparations is likely taking shape in your head. 

And at the top of the list are health and safety. 

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, this is truer than ever before. Parents want to know what systems you have set up to prevent an outbreak of the virus during the summer. And, of course, your COVID protocol is only one of many health considerations that require pre-camp prep.

Here are eight ways to ensure campers have a safe, healthy camp season:

1. Train staff members how to respond in an emergency. Expect the unexpected! Thorough training is the best way to prevent minor accidents from becoming major incidents. Confident, knowledgeable staff members, who know how to respond quickly when things don’t go as planned, are the key. Bloody noses, bee stings, and fevers are inevitable. Prevent escalation, minimize damage, and reassure parents that these issues are being handled with professionalism, compassion, and care.

Start the camp season with several days of intensive staff training. CPR and first-aid lessons are a must, as is a course in water safety. During training, have staff members engage in practice drills. Let them act out different scenarios that require them to think on their feet, manage surprises, and operate emergency equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers. 

Develop and teach clear protocols for specific emergencies. Staff should know exactly what to do in case of a fire, a missing camper, or an unconscious child. Post signs in staff areas that simply and clearly explain these protocols.

2. Double-check that you are properly equipped. From baseball and archery to the waterfront and the dining hall, there is no shortage of safety equipment that every camp needs. For general preparedness, have plenty of first-aid kits, not only in the infirmary or with the camp nurse, but in cabins, in the eating area, and by the waterfront or pool. Check each kit to make sure it’s fully stocked. Then, check that all fire extinguishers, carbon-monoxide detectors, and defibrillators have new batteries and are functioning properly.

Next, make a list of safety equipment that specific activities require, and create a written inventory of what you have and what you need. Equipment that can expire or be recalled, such as helmets, life vests, and epi-pens, must be up-to-date and in working order. 

3. Plan for potential dangers in every scheduled activity. Will campers be spending a few hours on a hike? Make sure everyone is aware of the risks, such as heat stroke or dehydration. Instruct counselors to carry extra sunscreen, bug spray, water, and hats.

© Can Stock Photo / Windu

Are there poisonous snakes or spiders on the camp grounds? At the beginning of the summer, have counselors teach campers how to identify dangerous insects or animals, and let them know exactly what to do should they spot any. By anticipating the dangers campers may face, you can often prevent problems.

4. Sanitize facilities thoroughly. Spring-cleaning is not just for homes! After a fall and winter of disuse, a camp needs a good dose of elbow grease. In fact, camp cleaning will probably be far more intense than anything you do at home.

Dozens, if not hundreds of children will be spending their days (and sometimes nights) at camp, and it’s your responsibility to provide a safe, healthy environment. Effective cleaning will limit the spread of bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. 

Make sure to wash and disinfect all surfaces, and keep an eye out for mold, especially in closed environments like sleeping quarters. This level of cleanliness might sound like a daunting task, but an all-in-one disinfectant and pest eliminator helps make the process affordable and fast.

5. Be pest-free. Speaking of pests to be exterminated, all types of unwanted critters can find their way into kitchens, cabins, and dining halls during cold months, and it’s up to you to make sure they’re gone before camp season begins. Harmful spiders, scorpions, and rodents are particularly important to look out for.

Also check for any signs of smaller creatures that can be health hazards. Mites, bedbugs, fleas, ticks, and mosquitos are all common camp scourges, so you want to be sure cabins, mattresses, couches, and common areas are pest-free. Ticks and mosquitoes are difficult to eliminate, but cleaning the entire facility with an EPA-approved pest-killer will help ensure you don’t have a bedbug, spider, or rat infestation.

6. Stay on top of everything COVID. The regulations around COVID-19 seem to change each day and differ widely from state to state. As a camp administrator, make sure to adhere to the latest requirements and recommendations in the area. Also consider whether you want to take any extra precautions.

What will the mask policy be this year for campers and counselors? What about social distancing and testing? If a camper or staff member tests positive, what protocols will be followed and how? 

Once policies are written, share them with parents in a clear way, either by email, social media, or the camp website. Having an up-to-date COVID section on the website can reduce the number of phone calls, and offer parents a place to turn to with any questions.

© Can Stock Photo / photography33

7. Consult with an expert. It can be difficult to be sure you’re taking all necessary precautions; there is probably something that will be overlooked. Retaining an expert can help create a safer experience for campers, and will ensure you pass inspections. This action can also help protect the camp from potential lawsuits. In other words, it’s a worthy investment!

8. Research government guidelines and regulations for camp facilities and activities. Even if you’ve been in the camp business for years, review the latest health and safety guidelines in your state. They may well have changed since last year. Adhering to standards will help keep a camp out of legal trouble, but even more importantly, it will go a long way in making sure the camp is as safe as possible.

Connect with local police, fire departments, and health inspectors. Introduce yourself and let them know when camp will be in session. Invite them to visit the camp to make sure everything is up to code. 

Would you want to send your kids to a camp with a poor record on health and safety? Probably not. In fact, today, more than ever, healthcare protocols may be among the first items parents look at when choosing a camp. Parents have to know their children will be in an educational, fun environment that always puts safety first. 

Maintaining a good reputation in this arena means beginning the work well before the first campers arrive. Diligence will help ensure the success of a camp and the health of every child in your care. So, are you prepared?

John-Michael Kibrick is a writer, editor, and Hebrew-English translator. Formerly a journalist and news editor for the Israeli publications Haaretz and Ynet, John-Michael is a staff writer at Sterifab and has since expanded his knowledge to include pest control and disinfectants.