Prepare Summer Camps for Injury Risks
By Manny Cocurull
For millions of American kids, summer camp—daily or overnight—is a welcome break from studying and homework, offering activities ranging from sports and recreation to education or religion. And the popularity of summer camps is growing.
In 2024, more than 30 million students attended private or school-sponsored summer camps in the U.S., up from 1 million in 2016, according to a Gallup poll. Further, revenue from the summer camp industry is estimated at $4.7 billion and is projected to reach $6.5 billion by 2031, according to IBIS World.
Risk mitigation is paramount, especially when children are involved. Risk managers for private and school-sponsored summer camps alike need to understand the risks they face and take appropriate measures to prepare for and protect against accidents that can threaten camp patrons, employees and the business.
The range of possible risks in a summer camp environment can be extensive, covering everything from slippery hiking paths and sports-related injuries to transportation accidents when traveling for camp-sponsored activities.
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To understand the risks associated with summer camps, it is important to distinguish between school-run and privately owned camps. School-sponsored camps generally operate under established safety protocols and regulatory oversight, while privately operated camps may rely more heavily on seasonal staff and less standardized procedures.
Both must comply with state-specific health and safety requirements. Each state has distinct compliance requirements for summer camp programs, with the oversight managed by the state’s health department. In some states, fees for licenses and permits can vary by location, such as the camp’s town or county.
Regardless of the type of camp, the most common accidents that risk managers should be aware of involve physical injuries. Common injuries range from cuts, sprains and fractures to more serious incidents associated with sports, swimming, boating, hiking and other camp activities.
Risk managers should take the following safety measures into account:
1) Train staff. Implement staff training programs that include first aid, CPR and activity-specific safety certifications. Maintaining appropriate staff-to-camper ratios based on participant age and activity risk is also essential.
2) Vet staff. Camp organizers should conduct background screening, verify staff qualifications and maintain organized participant medical records to support both safety and claims management.
3) Maintain safety procedures. Regular facility and equipment inspections, documented emergency response procedures, evacuation plans and communication protocols are also key components of an effective risk management program.
The Importance of Participant Accident Coverage
With rising medical expenses and the uncertainties around accidents, possessing a comprehensive insurance program is essential.
While general liability will typically cover property damage to others, legal defense, judgments, settlements and third-party injury claims alleging negligence, it may not cover medical expenses incurred without any negligence, first-party medical costs for routine injuries, participant transportation in non-owned vehicles, certain high-risk activities and cases involving sexual abuse.
In addition to general liability insurance, camps should also consider participant accident coverage. Participant accident coverage offers organizations straightforward and reliable methods to confirm insurance protection for their members, students, participants, volunteers and others in the event of unforeseen incidents. This coverage helps bridge the gap between health insurance benefits and the out-of-pocket costs that can quickly accumulate following an accident, while also protecting the sponsoring entity from possible liability claims.
Participant accident coverage is also no-fault coverage. For example, if a child breaks a leg running to first base and there is no negligence involved, this would be covered. These policies prevent minor incidents from escalating into costly liability settlements or claims and serve as the initial line of defense before a general liability policy must respond.
Having the two complementary coverages in place sends a strong message that the camp has an unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of its campers.
Manny Cocurull is president of KidGuard Insurance, a division of DOXA and a specialized student and participant accident insurance provider serving educational institutions, youth programs and recreational organizations nationwide.
