15 Essential Safety Questions Every Parent Must Ask Before Choosing a Summer Camp
Picking a summer camp for your child is a big decision. Brochures may show happy campers and fun activities, but what really matters is the camp’s safety protocols and risk management. The American Camp Association states that accredited camps must meet over 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality.
Before you register, make sure you ask the right questions. This guide will help you check camps carefully so your child stays safe and has a good experience. Camp Ondessonk is an example, as it’s accredited by both the American Camp Association and the Certified Horsemanship Association, demonstrating what strong safety standards look like.
Staff Qualifications and Training
1. What are your staff-to-camper ratios, and do they meet industry standards?
The American Camp Association recommends specific staff-to-camper ratios: one staff member for every five campers aged 8-9, one for every eight campers aged 10-14, and one for every ten campers aged 15-18. Research from the Youth Development and Research Fund indicates that adhering to these ratios enhances both safety and program quality. Ask the camp for their actual ratios during activities, meals, and overnight stays, not just what they advertise. ACA-accredited camps, such as Camp Ondessonk, are regularly inspected to ensure they maintain these ratios across all programs.
2. What background checks and screening processes do you conduct for all staff members?
All staff and volunteers working with campers should undergo complete criminal background checks. The American Camp Association requires accredited camps to verify the national sex offender registry, state criminal history records, and staff references. Studies in the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse show that careful screening lowers risks. Ask what checks the camp does and when they last did them. ACA accreditation ensures that these checks are consistently required and performed in the same manner for all individuals.
3. What training does your staff receive before campers arrive?
Good camps invest a significant amount of time in training staff before camp begins. The ACA requires staff to receive at least 16-24 hours of training on child development, behavior management, emergency plans, abuse prevention, and safety for each activity. Research in the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration shows that camps with strong training have fewer problems and better programs. Accredited camps undergo regular training reviews to ensure they adhere to the latest safety practices.
4. Are your waterfront staff certified, and what are their qualifications?
If the camp offers swimming, boating, or any water activities, staff credentials are non-negotiable. The American Camp Association requires that waterfront directors hold current certifications in lifeguarding, CPR, and first aid from recognized organizations, such as the American Red Cross. Ask about the specific certifications held by waterfront staff, the lifeguard-to-swimmer ratio (ACA recommends one lifeguard for every 10 swimmers), and how often skills are tested. Similarly, if a camp offers equestrian programs, look for Certified Horsemanship Association accreditation, as Camp Ondessonk holds, which ensures riding instructors meet rigorous safety and teaching standards specific to horseback riding activities.
Health and Medical Care
5. What medical staff and facilities are available on-site?
It’s essential to understand the medical care the camp can offer. ACA-accredited camps must have a health center and trained health staff on site during camp. Ask if they have a nurse, doctor, or EMT, what their hours are, and how emergencies are handled. Research from Camping Magazine indicates that camps with 24-hour medical staff respond more effectively to health issues. ACA accreditation also requires camps to have the necessary equipment, safe storage for medications, and effective record-keeping.
6. How do you manage medications and handle medical conditions?
The camp should have clear rules for handling medicine. The ACA states that all medicine must be stored safely, administered by trained healthcare staff, and carefully recorded. Ask how the camp manages conditions like asthma, allergies, diabetes, or mental health needs. A study published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing found that camps with established medication rules and personal health plans experienced fewer medical problems. ACA-accredited camps must show these procedures during inspections.
7. What is your emergency action plan for serious injuries or illnesses?
Every camp should have written emergency plans for different situations. Ask how close the camp is to emergency medical help, how they handle transportation, how they contact parents, and if staff practice emergency drills. The American Camp Association requires camps to practice emergency procedures and have written plans for each activity. Research shows that camps with clear, practiced plans respond faster and have better results in emergencies. ACA accreditation checks that these plans are in place and staff know how to use them.
Safety Protocols and Supervision
8. What supervision policies do you have in place, especially during high-risk activities and at night?
The ACA’s standards stress that younger campers should always be in sight of staff, and all campers should be supervised during activities. Ask about how the camp supervises bathrooms, checks cabins at night, uses buddy systems, and what rules they have about campers being alone. Research from Child and Youth Care Forum shows that clear supervision rules lower safety risks and behavior problems. For activities like horseback riding, groups such as the Certified Horsemanship Association establish additional supervision rules that certified camps must follow.
9. How do you conduct activity safety checks and equipment inspections?
Good camps check all activity areas and equipment for safety every day. The American Camp Association requires camps to maintain records of these checks for items such as challenge courses, waterfront facilities, sports equipment, and buildings. Request to review these inspection logs and determine who conducts the checks and what training they have received. Studies show that regular, recorded inspections prevent most equipment injuries. For horseback riding, CHA certification requires daily checks of tack, riding gear, fences, and facilities, as Camp Ondessonk does to ensure riders’ safety.
10. What policies do you have regarding discipline, bullying, and behavior management?
Knowing how a camp addresses behavioral problems reveals the extent to which they prioritize emotional safety. ACA rules ban physical discipline and require clear policies on bullying, harassment, and bad behavior. Research in the Journal of Youth Development indicates that camps with robust anti-bullying programs and effective positive behavior systems are safer and more welcoming environments. Ask how staff learn to manage behavior and handle conflicts. ACA accreditation makes sure these rules are written, shared with families, and always followed.
Accreditation and Compliance
11. Are you accredited by the American Camp Association, and when was your last inspection?
ACA accreditation is considered the top standard for camps. Accredited camps like Camp Ondessonk get regular visits from trained reviewers and must meet more than 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality. Research from the Journal of Experiential Education shows that accredited camps have much better safety records than those without accreditation. If a camp isn’t accredited, ask why and what other standards they use. Accreditation is a tough, ongoing process, and camps must be checked often to keep their status.
12. What licenses and permits does your camp hold, and are they current?
In addition to ACA accreditation, camps must hold all required state and local licenses and permits. These can include health permits, food service licenses, and special activity permits, depending on the location of the camp. Camps with special programs may have additional certifications, such as Certified Horsemanship Association accreditation for horseback riding, which Camp Ondessonk also holds. Request to verify that all licenses are up to date and inquire about any past violations. You can often look up state licenses online.
Communication and Transparency
13. How do you communicate with parents during the camp session?
Good communication helps parents feel at ease. Ask about the camp’s rules for phone calls, emails, letters, and photos. Many camps limit direct contact to help kids become more independent, but they should have clear rules for emergencies and regular updates. Research from the Journal of Park and Recreation Administration shows that open communication leads to higher parent satisfaction and trust. ACA-accredited camps are checked on their communication and parent satisfaction as part of the process.
14. What is your incident reporting process, and can you share your safety record?
Good camps keep records of all incidents, from small scrapes to serious injuries. The American Camp Association requires accredited camps to document and report these incidents in detail. Ask about the camp’s incident rates over the last few years and how they compare to other camps. Being open about safety records shows the camp is committed to getting better and being responsible. ACA accreditation also checks how camps use this information to improve safety.
15. Can you provide references from families who have attended in recent years?
Speaking with other parents provides invaluable insights beyond what promotional materials reveal. Ask the camp for references, and specifically, talking to other parents provides helpful information that you won’t find in brochures. Ask the camp for references and try to obtain contacts for families whose children attended in the last two years. When you talk to them, ask about both the positive experiences and how the camp handled any issues that arose. Camps with multiple accreditations, such as Camp Ondessonk with ACA and CHA, often have families who can discuss the camp’s long-term commitment to safety and quality. thoroughly without defensiveness. Red flags include vague responses, reluctance to provide documentation, or inability to articulate clear policies and procedures.
The American Camp Association says that “finding the right camp is a partnership between parents and camp professionals.” By asking these important safety questions, you’re not just lowering risks—you’re helping find a place where your child can thrive, grow, and make lasting memories in a safe and caring environment.
Choose camps that do more than just meet the basics by having several important accreditations. Camp Ondessonk, for example, has both ACA and Certified Horsemanship Association accreditations, showing its strong commitment to quality in all areas. Having more than one certification means a camp is serious about meeting the highest standards in everything it does.
Keep in mind that camps serve more than 14 million kids and adults each year in the U.S. Most camp experiences are positive, fun, and safe. By asking these questions and choosing camps with trusted accreditations, you’re giving your child the chance for a great summer camp experience.
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s Summer Camp Programs.
