Safety Guide

Church Camp Safety: What Every Parent Should Know

You're trusting a camp with your child's wellbeing. This guide explains what real safety infrastructure looks like—not marketing promises, but the specific systems, training, and protocols that protect kids.

Evidence-based standards

Printable checklist included

The Good News First

Serious incidents at camps are rare. The American Camp Association reports that camps serve over 26 million campers annually with remarkably low incident rates. But "rare" isn't "never," and the camps with the best safety records share common characteristics. This guide helps you identify them.

ACA Accreditation: What It Actually Means

The American Camp Association (ACA) is the gold standard for camp accreditation. But what does accreditation actually require?

ACA-Accredited Camps Must:

Meet 300+ health and safety standards
Pass on-site inspections every 3-5 years
Have documented emergency procedures
Maintain specific staff-to-camper ratios

Conduct criminal background checks on staff
Provide staff training on child abuse prevention
Have qualified health care personnel
Meet activity-specific safety requirements

Is Accreditation Required?

No. ACA accreditation is voluntary, and only about 25% of camps are accredited. Non-accredited camps can still be excellent—they just haven't gone through the formal process. Many church camps meet or exceed ACA standards without seeking official accreditation.

Bottom line: Accreditation is a strong positive signal, but absence of accreditation isn't automatically a red flag. Ask non-accredited camps how their standards compare to ACA requirements.

Staff Training & Background Checks

Your child will spend more time with their counselor than doing any single activity. Here's what proper staff vetting looks like:

Background Checks

Industry Best Practice:

• Criminal background check (all 50 states)
• Sex offender registry check
• Reference checks (minimum 2-3)
• Social media review
• Checks on ALL staff, not just counselors

Red Flags:

• "We trust our church members" (no formal checks)
• Only check senior staff
• State-only background check (misses other states)
• No ongoing screening for returning staff

Staff Training Requirements

What quality camps require before staff work with children:

Safety Training:

• CPR and First Aid certification
• Emergency response procedures
• Activity-specific safety (waterfront, ropes, etc.)
• Severe weather protocols

Child Protection Training:

• Recognizing signs of abuse
• Mandatory reporting requirements
• Appropriate boundaries with campers
• Never alone with a single child policy

Staff-to-Camper Ratios by Age

Ratios matter because they determine how much individual attention your child receives and how quickly staff can respond to situations.

Age Group	ACA Standard	What's Great
Ages 5-6	1:6	1:4 or better
Ages 7-8	1:8	1:6 or better
Ages 9-14	1:10	1:8 or better
Ages 15-17	1:12	1:10 or better

Note: High-risk activities like swimming, horseback riding, and ropes courses require tighter ratios regardless of age—often 1:4 or 1:6. Ask about activity-specific supervision separately from general cabin ratios.

Medical Care & Emergency Protocols

Things happen at camp: bee stings, twisted ankles, fevers. Here's what quality medical infrastructure looks like:

On-Site Medical Care

Minimum Standard:

• Dedicated health center/first aid station
• Staff trained in first aid and CPR
• Medication storage and administration protocols
• Health forms reviewed before camp

Better Standard:

• On-site nurse (RN or LPN)
• Physician on call 24/7
• AED (defibrillator) on premises
• Relationship with local hospital

Emergency Response

Ask the camp:

Hospital distance: How far to the nearest ER? (Under 30 min is ideal)
Transport: Do they have a dedicated vehicle for medical transport?
Communication: How do they reach parents in an emergency?
Documentation: Is there a written emergency action plan?

Allergies & Special Needs

If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes, or other conditions, ask:

• How do you train staff on my child's specific condition?
• Where will their medication be stored? Who can administer it?
• How do you handle food allergies in the dining hall?
• Can I speak directly with your health director before camp?
• Have you accommodated this condition before?

Water Safety Standards

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children. Quality camps take water safety extremely seriously.

What to Look For

Certified Lifeguards

Current lifeguard certification (American Red Cross or equivalent), not just "good swimmers"

Swim Tests

All campers tested and classified by ability before entering the water

Buddy System

Campers paired up with regular buddy checks during swim time

Appropriate Ratios

1 lifeguard per 10-25 swimmers depending on water type (pool vs. lake)

Life Jackets for Boating

Coast Guard-approved life jackets required for all boating activities

Emotional Safety & Bullying Prevention

Physical safety gets most attention, but emotional safety matters just as much. A child who's bullied or excluded can carry that wound for years.

Signs of a Healthy Camp Culture

Written anti-bullying policy shared with all campers and staff
Staff training on recognizing exclusion and social dynamics
Clear reporting process for campers to share concerns
Community-building activities that include everyone, not just competition
Adult supervision of cabin time, not just activities

Questions to Ask About Culture

• "How do you handle it when a child is being left out?"
• "What's your response if bullying is reported?"
• "How do you help shy kids integrate with the group?"
• "Can you give me an example of how you've handled a conflict between campers?"

15 Safety Questions to Ask Before Registering

Don't just trust the website. Call the camp and ask these directly:

Staff

1. "What background checks do you run on staff?"

What to expect: Criminal, sex offender registry, references—on everyone

Staff

2. "What's your staff-to-camper ratio in cabins?"

What to expect: Should be 1:6 or better for younger kids

Staff

3. "How old are your counselors? What training do they receive?"

What to expect: 18+ for primary responsibility; documented training program

Medical

4. "Do you have medical staff on site? What are their qualifications?"

What to expect: At minimum, staff trained in first aid; ideally a nurse

Medical

5. "How far is the nearest hospital?"

What to expect: Under 30 minutes is ideal

Medical

6. "How do you handle medication administration?"

What to expect: Locked storage, documented protocols, trained staff

Emergency

7. "Can you walk me through your emergency action plan?"

What to expect: Specific, documented procedures they can explain clearly

Emergency

8. "How and when would you contact me in an emergency?"

What to expect: Clear communication protocol, 24-hour contact capability

Water

9. "Are your lifeguards certified? What organization?"

What to expect: American Red Cross, YMCA, or equivalent current certification

Water

10. "Do you do swim tests? How do you group swimmers?"

What to expect: Yes, with clear ability classifications

Facilities

11. "How do you secure the camp from unauthorized visitors?"

What to expect: Check-in procedures, limited entry points, staff visibility

Facilities

12. "When was your last safety inspection?"

What to expect: Annual health department or ACA inspection

Culture

13. "What's your policy on bullying?"

What to expect: Written policy, clear consequences, reporting process

Culture

14. "How do you handle homesickness?"

What to expect: Specific strategies, not just 'we deal with it'

Insurance

15. "What insurance do you carry?"

What to expect: General liability and accident/medical coverage

Pre-Registration Safety Checklist

Before you register, make sure you can check off these items:

Print This Checklist

Staff & Training

Background checks on all staff
Staff ratios meet or exceed standards
Counselors are 18+
Documented staff training program

Medical & Emergency

Medical staff or trained personnel on site
Hospital within 30 minutes
Written emergency procedures
Clear parent communication protocol

Water & Activities

Certified lifeguards for water activities
Swim tests conducted
Life jackets for boating
Activity-specific safety protocols

Culture & Communication

Written anti-bullying policy
Homesickness protocol explained
Parent references available
Camp insurance confirmed

Find Camps You Can Trust

Browse our directory of Christian camps. Each listing includes contact information so you can ask these safety questions directly.

Browse Camps

Sources & Resources

• American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation Standards: acacamps.org
• CDC Guidelines for Camps
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Standards

Last updated: January 2026. Safety standards evolve—always verify current requirements with the camp directly.