Safety Tips for Your Summer Camp Child

I was a program director for one year at a summer camp after serving as a camp counselor and team-building instructor for three previous summers. I've seen a lot of kids come to camp fully prepared for fun, but not always prepared for safety. Sending off your kids for their first summer camp experience can be an exciting event. For some parents this could be the first time their child has spent days away from home that didn't involve a relative's house. Although summer camp can be a great time for kids, there are some safety tips that could prove for a safer time as well. Discuss these tips with your children and camp staff before camp starts.

Discuss Basic Safety. Your camper needs to be reminded to listen to the staff even more. Getting hurt a hundred miles from home in the woods can quickly turn a fun camping trip to the longest drive home ever.

Protect from the Sun. Part of the camp fun usually involves spending more time out in the sun than normal. Although campers won't be actively lying out to get a tan, they are sure to brown a little while they engage in activities. Remind him to put on sunscreen (or ask a counselor to do so) and to wear a hat while they're outside. Even a baseball cap will help prevent sunburn.

The Right Shoes. Summer camps often provide an array of activities that a child may not otherwise experience. This could include hiking, canoeing, swimming, challenge courses, archery...the list goes on and on. It would be improbable to bring a pair of shoes for each event. However, bringing a two or three pairs of the right shoes can suffice. A pair of hiking shoes and playing shoes with good tread should be of priority. Expect these shoes to get dirty and beat up-it's part of the summer camp experience. Also pack a pair of water-shoes for the pool and shower area to keep your kids from slipping on wet surfaces.

Sock and Underwear. Kids will get dirty and wet through the fun activities at camp. This means they may change clothes more frequently than at home. With extra socks and underwear, you can increase the chances your camper won't develop a fungal infection from wearing the wet ones for two or three extra days because he ran out.

Medications. Some campers may need certain medications. Those should be discussed with camp staff prior to dropping off your camper, but it wouldn't hurt for him to know his schedule as well. Write down a list of medication times for him and his counselor to have just in case they plan a long hiking trip or the excitement of summer camp makes him forget.

Food Safety , part 1. The same should be said for food. Discuss any food allergies and compare them to what foods will be served at camp. If your child requires a special diet, see what provisions can be made.

Food Safety, part 2. Don't pack food in the luggage. This food could be easily forgotten about. That luggage gets put away in the cabin. The mice and bugs smell the food. The snakes and bigger bugs smell the mice and little bugs. No one goes to camp wanting to be snake bitten, so make sure there's no food in the luggage.

Dehydration. Remind your camper to ask for water when he's thirsty. He may be reluctant to do so for fear of stopping the activities, but summer camps can dehydrate a child quicker than beef jerky in an oven. Constant hydration can prevent dizzy spells, vomiting or passing out.

Animal Awareness. Many animals may appear to be cute and cuddly, but your camper is also in their home. Animals don't always know they are cute and cuddly and may think your child intends to do them harm. Make sure your camper knows not to touch or feed animals without permission from camp staff. Children should also know to make camp staff aware of animals that wander into the camping area just in case they are the kind that don't belong, like bears and raccoons.

Don't Panic. If your child wanders off the beaten path or finds himself in imminent danger, he should not panic. Instead, he should remain calm, keep still and listen for people ready to find him. It wouldn't hurt for you to discuss crisis management plans with the camp staff so you can have peace of mind yourself.