Summer camp is a winner for both parents and kids. Parents like the
fact that their children are occupied for the summer break meeting new
friends and playing outside. Kids, of course, love summer camp because
it means horseback riding, swimming, and campfires from dawn until
dusk. A great summer camp can allow a child to make memories that will
last a lifetime. But not all summer camp experiences are positive.
Serious injuries are a real possibility at summer camp. It is
important as a parent to be aware of possible hazards so that you can
address these concerns before enrolling your child at a camp. The
following are some of the most common ways children are injured at
summer camp:
Sun-related injuries. The largest segment of any camper’s day is spent
While a good camp should offer a plethora of outdoor activities, it
also needs a staff that is well-trained. Precautions need to be taken
to ensure that children are well hydrated and protected from the sun’s
powerful rays. If a child spends too much time in the heat, he or she
can develop heat stroke. Heat stroke is an emergency matter and, which
if left untreated, can damage a child’s kidneys, muscles, heart, and
brain.
Water-Related Swimming is one of the things children enjoy most at
summer camp. Some camps have a swimming pool for campers to use, but
other camps have access to a lake or swimmable river. As a parent, ask
questions to find out if the camp has sufficient staff at the swimming
area. You will also want to inquire as to whether all staff is CPR
trained. Drowning, of course, is the most serious water-related
accident, but horseplay from lack of supervision can result in
accidents as well.
Lack of supervision related accidents. Many camp accidents are
preventable if the camp has a high staff to camper ratio and the staff
is well-trained. Inadequate staffing can be the underlying cause of
injury since unsupervised children can get into mischief. For example,
camps often have interesting sporting equipment like bows and arrows
that could cause serious injury if used by children without proper
supervision. Supervision is also necessary so that minor disagreements
between children do not escalate.
Medical-related accidents. Before you send your child to camp, you
will be required to provide a list of your child’s allergies. If your
child has a serious food allergy, you will want to make sure that you
discuss this fact with the camp ahead of time. While most camps are
well-prepared for campers with allergies, mistakes do happen. Again,
improperly trained or careless staff can lead to cross-contamination
in the kitchen or a child being given the wrong plate at mealtime.
Mistakes such as these can have life-threatening consequences on a
child with food allergies. One precaution parents can take to help
protect their child, is to have the child remind the staff of his or
her allergies and to confirm that each meal or snack is free from
their known allergens.
Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of a child can be devastating and
have a life-long impact on a child. If your child shows any signs of
abuse, contact your family doctor or a healthcare professional
experienced with child abuse.
Summer camps are legally responsible for keeping your child safe.
However, sometimes camps fail to hire adequate or properly train
staff, or to maintain their facilities. If your child suffered a
serious injury while at camp this summer, you may be able to hold the
camp responsible for his or her injuries. The team of Kansas City
Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. are skilled
litigators who are experienced in advocating on behalf of injury
victims. To schedule a free and completely confidential consultation,
contact our office today at (816) 472-4673.
