Summer Camp Safety Tips: The Complete Parent's Guide for 2026

Every summer, over 14 million children across the United States head to day camps and overnight programs. For most families, camp is a highlight of the year, a place where kids build independence, make lifelong friends, and create memories that stick.

But here is a number that might surprise you. In 2023, more than 195,000 children suffered injuries from summertime activities, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Swimming alone accounted for roughly 39,000 of those injuries.

That is not a reason to keep your kids home. It is a reason to prepare. And that is exactly what this guide is about: summer camp safety tips that go beyond the obvious, backed by data from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Camp Association.

Whether your child is a first-time camper or a seasoned outdoor adventurer, the next few minutes of reading could make all the difference this summer.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your child's pediatrician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your child's health needs.

Why Summer Camp Safety Matters More Than You Think

Summer camp is one of the best things you can do for your child's development. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that camp attendance promotes physical activity, socialization, emotional regulation, and resilience building.

But here is the reality most brochures leave out.

The Numbers Behind Camp Safety

There is no federal regulation governing summer camps in the United States. Each state sets its own standards, and those standards vary wildly.

Some states, like Connecticut, now require fingerprinting, abuse registry checks, and sex offender screenings for anyone over 18 working at a camp. Others have minimal requirements.

The American Camp Association has developed up to 290 safety standards covering eight operational areas. However, ACA accreditation is voluntary, and only a fraction of the estimated 15,000 camps in the U.S. carry that accreditation.

This means the responsibility falls squarely on you, the parent.

Why Injuries Happen at Camp

Most camp injuries are not dramatic. They are the predictable result of gaps in preparation:

• Dehydration and heat illness from inadequate water breaks
• Sunburns that increase melanoma risk later in life
• Water incidents in pools and lakes without proper supervision ratios
• Allergic reactions when medical forms are incomplete
• Tick-borne illness from unprotected outdoor activities

The good news: nearly every one of these is preventable with the right planning.

What the Experts Say About Kids Camp Safety

I reviewed the top-performing safety resources from the AAP, the American Camp Association, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the CDC to identify what experts consistently recommend.

Here is what rises to the top.

The AAP's Core Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes three pillars of kids camp safety:

1. Verify accreditation. Check whether the camp holds ACA accreditation at acacamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP.
2. Prepare medically. Schedule a pre-camp physical with your child's pediatrician, complete all health history forms, and talk to your doctor about how to manage any medications during the camp period.
3. Assess water readiness. Children ages five to six should master front crawl skills. Consider refresher swim lessons before camp begins.

What Safe Kids Worldwide Adds

Safe Kids Worldwide stresses the importance of emotional preparation alongside physical safety. Their research shows that children who know what to expect and who feel empowered to speak up are significantly less likely to experience harm at camp.

The ACA's Staff Standards

The ACA requires accredited camps to conduct annual criminal background checks on seasonal staff, check the National Sex Offender Public Website annually, and collect voluntary disclosure statements from all employees.

These are the baseline standards you should expect from any camp, accredited or not.

The Complete Summer Camp Preparation Checklist

Here is your step-by-step summer camp preparation checklist, organized by timeline so nothing falls through the cracks.

8-12 Weeks Before Camp

1. Verify camp accreditation status through the ACA website or your state's licensing board.
2. Ask about staff-to-camper ratios. Lower ratios mean more individual attention and safer supervision. For day camps, look for at least 1:8 for children ages 6-8 and 1:10 for ages 9-14.
3. Request the camp's emergency action plan in writing. This should cover injuries, severe weather, fire, lockdowns, and missing-camper protocols.
4. Ask whether counselors are ever alone with children. Best-practice camps maintain a two-adult rule at all times.
5. Confirm background check policies for all staff, including teen counselors-in-training.

4-6 Weeks Before Camp

1. Schedule a pre-camp physical with your child's pediatrician. Discuss any health concerns, medications, and specific camp activities.
2. Complete all camp medical forms thoroughly. Include allergies, medications, dietary restrictions, and behavioral considerations. Ask your pediatrician for help if you are unsure what to include.
3. Work with your child's healthcare provider to create an emergency action plan for any chronic conditions like asthma, food allergies, or diabetes. Provide a copy to the camp nurse and your child's counselor.
4. Enroll your child in swim lessons or refresher courses if the camp includes water activities.
5. Label every item your child brings to camp. Include your child's name and your phone number on bags, water bottles, clothing, and gear.

1-2 Weeks Before Camp

1. Pack emergency identification. This is where tools like Tap Tap Buddy NFC wristbands become genuinely useful. A waterproof wristband with your contact information means your child always has a way to be identified, even if they lose their phone, backpack, or name tag. No app is needed. Anyone with a smartphone can tap the band to access emergency details.
2. Talk to your child about body safety. Use clear, age-appropriate language. Key messages:

• "No one should ask you to keep a secret from your parents."
• "Your body belongs to you."
• "It is always okay to say no and tell a trusted adult."

1. Identify a buddy system. Help your child pick a friend they can stay near during activities.
2. Take a current photo of your child on the first day of camp. This helps staff and authorities identify them quickly if needed.
3. Review the camp's communication policy. Know when and how you will receive updates.

Day of Camp

1. Send any prescribed medications in original packaging with your doctor's written dosage instructions. If your child's physician has prescribed an EpiPen or inhaler, include extras as directed.
2. Apply sunscreen before drop-off. The AAP recommends broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher for children. Pack extra for reapplication.
3. Confirm emergency contacts are current in the camp's system.

Real-World Scenarios: What Would You Do?

Abstract advice only goes so far. Let us walk through three scenarios that real parents face.

Scenario 1: The Incomplete Medical Form

Jessica's 8-year-old son has a mild tree nut allergy. She mentioned it verbally during registration but did not list it on the medical form because "it is not that serious."

During week two, a camp snack included granola bars with walnuts. Her son had a reaction requiring an ER visit.

The lesson: Every allergy goes on every form, no matter how minor you think it is. Verbal communication is not enough. Camp staff rotate, and the person you told might not be the person serving snack.

Scenario 2: The Lost Camper at Pickup

David's 6-year-old daughter attended a large day camp with over 200 children. During pickup, the camp's check-out system was overwhelmed. His daughter wandered to the wrong parking area looking for him.

The lesson: Talk to your child about what to do if they cannot find you at pickup. Establish a meeting point. Better yet, ensure your child wears identification with your contact number. NFC wristbands such as Tap Tap Buddy provide a tap-to-read solution that works even when children are too young to memorize phone numbers.

Scenario 3: The Homesick Camper Who Stopped Eating

Maria's 10-year-old daughter went to overnight camp for the first time. By day three, she was so homesick she stopped eating meals but was too embarrassed to tell her counselor.

The lesson: Prepare your child for homesickness before they leave. Normalize the feeling. Give them specific strategies: write in a journal, talk to a counselor, focus on the next activity. And ask the camp how they monitor campers who may be struggling silently.

What Most Parents Miss: The Counter-Intuitive Insight

Here is something that surprises almost every parent I talk to:

The biggest safety risk at summer camp is not physical. It is communication.

Specifically, the gap between what parents assume the camp knows and what the camp actually knows.

The Information Gap Problem

Most camps collect medical forms once, at registration. But children's needs change. A child who developed a new allergy in March might arrive at June camp with an outdated form.

Parents assume the camp will ask. Camps assume parents will update. Neither happens.

How to Close the Gap

• Update medical forms within two weeks of camp start, not at registration months earlier.
• Send a separate written note to the camp nurse and your child's counselor highlighting critical information.
• Give your child the language to advocate for themselves: "I am allergic to..." or "I need to take my medication at..."
• Use redundant identification systems. A wristband with medical and contact info supplements the camp's paperwork. If one system fails, the other catches it.

This redundancy principle is exactly why tools like Tap Tap Buddy exist. An NFC wristband is a backup layer of safety that does not depend on anyone remembering to check a file.

Age-Specific Summer Camp Safety Considerations

Not all campers need the same preparation. Here is what to prioritize by age group.

Ages 4-6: First-Time Day Campers

• Focus on separation anxiety. Practice short separations before camp starts.
• Label everything with your phone number, not just your child's name.
• Keep the day short. Half-day programs are ideal for this age group.
• Sunscreen and hydration are non-negotiable. Young children often forget to drink water.
• Wristband identification is especially important since children this age cannot reliably recite contact information.

Ages 7-9: Growing Independence

• Introduce the buddy system concept. Explain why staying with a friend matters.
• Teach basic first aid. What to do for a bee sting, a scrape, or a nosebleed.
• Discuss water safety rules explicitly: no running near pools, no swimming without a lifeguard.
• Practice what to do if lost. Find a camp counselor or a parent with children.

Ages 10-12: Ready for Overnight Camp

• Discuss body safety and boundaries in clear, direct terms.
• Work with your child's healthcare provider on age-appropriate medication routines, with camp nurse oversight.
• Talk about peer pressure and how to handle situations that feel wrong.
• Set communication expectations. Many overnight camps limit phone access, which is healthy but requires preparation.

Ages 13-15: Teen Campers and CITs

• Address digital safety. Some camps allow phones. Discuss responsible use.
• Talk about consent, substances, and risk-taking. Camp is where teens test boundaries.
• Encourage leadership. Teens who feel responsible for younger campers are less likely to engage in risky behavior.
• Talk about emotional wellbeing. If your teen experiences anxiety or depression, consult their healthcare provider about strategies for managing these feelings in new social environments.

Key Takeaways

Your Summer Camp Safety Checklist at a Glance: - Verify the camp's ACA accreditation or state licensing status before registering. - Complete and update medical forms within two weeks of camp start, not months ahead. - Teach your child body safety boundaries and give them language to speak up. - Ensure your child can be identified even without their backpack or phone through labeled gear and wearable identification. - Ask the camp about staff-to-camper ratios, background check policies, and emergency protocols. - Prepare your child emotionally for homesickness, social challenges, and independence. - Build redundancy into your safety plan so no single point of failure puts your child at risk.