Kristin Cole:
I’m with you, James. Thank you so much. And you’re back here in the studio. We’re just two weeks away from school, and that means a lot of families are looking at summer camp options. But just how safe is your child’s camp today? Here with us this morning to share essential camp safety tips is attorney Kate Henderson, who advocates for families. Thanks for being here, Kate.
Thanks for having me.
Kristin Cole:
Camp is wonderful. As adults, many people say it was one of their favorite parts of growing up. Every year, about 30 million children attend camp across the country, including about a million here in New York alone. With so many kids participating in so many activities, there is naturally the potential for dangerous situations to arise.
What are some of the red flags parents should look for once they put aside the glossy brochures and marketing photos?
Katherine A. Henderson:
The marketing materials are designed to highlight all the fun aspects of camp, of course. But parents should look beyond that. One red flag is a high staff turnover rate, because that can indicate management issues. Parents should also make sure the camp has emergency action plans in place for different scenarios, including medical emergencies and severe weather. If those plans do not exist, that is a significant warning sign.
Kristin Cole:
You also shared with us some of the tougher questions parents should be asking. I imagine it is not only about the answers you receive, but also how the camp responds to your questions.
Absolutely. Parents should ask about any previous or recent incidents at the camp. They should also ask how children are supervised during high-risk activities such as swimming and field trips. It is important to ask whether staff members undergo background checks, whether they are trained in CPR and first aid, and how the camp handles emergencies involving medications or allergies. Finally, parents should ask about the camp’s emergency preparedness plan, including how they will contact parents and reunite families if an emergency occurs.
Those are excellent areas to explore.
Katherine A. Henderson:
Yes, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness. You want to make sure the entire camp staff—not just a select few—is prepared to respond if an emergency happens. Everyone should know exactly what to do.
Kristin Cole:
Let’s talk about water safety, which is a primary concern. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of four and the second leading cause of death for older children through the teenage years. What should parents be asking about?
Katherine A. Henderson:
Parents should make sure there is an adequate number of staff supervising the water, with staffing levels appropriate for the age of the children. The New York State Department of Health provides guidance on recommended staffing ratios. Parents should ask how many lifeguards will be on duty and whether every lifeguard is trained in CPR and emergency medical response. You want to know that staff can respond immediately without having to wait for a nurse or another responder.
Kristin Cole:
We were talking before the show about a local camp where there was a near-drowning incident despite having a large staff present. It can happen anywhere and very quickly.
Katherine A. Henderson:
It absolutely can. Parents should also teach their children basic water safety and encourage them to ask for help if needed. At the same time, camp staff must remain vigilant. Parents should ask about supervision levels, whether pools are secured when not in use, and what procedures are in place to prevent accidents around the water.
Kristin Cole:
Transportation is another major concern. We saw a tragic incident in New York involving children traveling on a band camp trip, where two staff members were killed in a coach bus crash. Something as simple as seat belt use can make a difference. New Jersey requires seat belts on school buses, while New York does not. Coach buses are required to have seat belts, and passengers are expected to use them. Transportation may actually be one of the most dangerous parts of the camp experience.
Katherine A. Henderson:
Absolutely. Parents should ask about the qualifications and safety training of bus drivers. They should find out whether buses are equipped with seat belts and whether wearing them is strictly enforced. Personally, I would never allow my child to ride on a bus without appropriate safety equipment such as seat belts. Parents have to ask these questions, and if they are not comfortable with the answers, it may not be the right camp for their child.
Kristin Cole:
Kate Henderson, attorney with Lever & Ecker in Westchester, thank you for joining us.
