Summer is a season of exploration and growth for youth. Whether they’re attending day camps, overnight retreats, or enrichment programs, these experiences help youth build friendships, discover new interests, and gain independence. But with the opportunity comes responsibility—and risk.
For summer camps and youth-serving organizations, the sharp increase in participation between May and August, combined with seasonal staffing and high-risk activities, means child abuse prevention strategies must be front and center. Incidents such as boundary violations, inappropriate one-on-one interactions, and youth-to-youth problematic behaviors are more likely to occur during this time. Fortunately, organizations can mitigate these risks with strong preparation and a sustained commitment to safety.
The rush to hire staff for summer camp programming often leads to onboarding individuals who may lack experience or familiarity with your organization’s safety culture. Some camps also employ staff who are minors themselves, which presents additional supervision and training needs.
Moreover, summer camp activities—such as field trips, swimming, overnight stays, and shared changing spaces—introduce unique safety risks not as common during the school year. Without clear policies and oversight, these environments can create conditions for misconduct or abuse to occur.
With intentional planning, however, camp directors and youth program leaders can maintain high standards and foster safe, engaging environments all season long.
Your policies should serve as the foundation of your camp’s abuse prevention efforts. They define acceptable staff and volunteer behavior and guide how to respond to concerns. This is especially critical for seasonal staff and camp counselors who are new to your organization.
With time constraints and high staffing demands, it can be tempting to cut corners in the hiring process. But comprehensive background checks, behaviorally based interviews, and thorough reference checks are essential.
Use a structured approach to ensure you’re hiring staff who are not only qualified—but safe to work with youth. Offenders often target camps due to perceived access and trust; your screening process is your first line of defense.
Even experienced staff need training that goes beyond the basics. Effective camp counselor training should focus not just on responding to allegations, but on preventing abuse from happening in the first place.
Summer 2024 data from Praesidium’s Helpline revealed that 50% of adult-to-youth incidents involved a policy violation.
Tailor examples to real scenarios common in summer settings—pool supervision, cabin dynamics, field trips, and unstructured time.
More campers + fewer routines = more risk. Whether you run a day camp, overnight program, or sports-based summer initiative, strong supervision plans are essential.
Supervision isn’t just about headcounts—it’s about being present, engaged, and prepared.
Your organization’s incident reports, licensing issues, and parent complaints can reveal patterns and inform improvements. Because many summer programs are unique or seasonal, historical data may be limited.
This kind of real-time feedback loop helps administrators adapt and improve safety protocols mid-season—not just at the end.
Parents and guardians play a critical role in preventing misconduct in youth camps. Especially for families new to your summer programming, communication is key.
Empowered parents and informed campers help create a shared culture of accountability and trust.
Running a summer program is an incredible opportunity—but it comes with serious responsibilities. The seasonal increase in participation, high-risk activities, and staffing challenges all demand a focused, consistent approach to child abuse prevention in camps.
By emphasizing clear policies, thoughtful hiring, meaningful training, and open communication, your organization can create a safe space where children not only grow—but thrive.
Let’s make this summer a season of safety, connection, and lasting impact.
Download this infographic to help your team keep these steps top of mind!