everything i learned about safety, i learned at camp

By Kelly Elliott, Director, Camp Support Services

Safety is our #1 priority. We say it, and we mean it. There are a multitude of systems, policies and procedures that SeriousFun camps use to ensure the safety of campers, staff and volunteers. They are all designed to avoid risk while ensuring fun. The best part is that the fun does not need to stop once you’ve left camp. Here are five essential camp safety checks that everyone can implement into their daily life.

1. Buddy Check – When the lifeguards shout "Buddy Check," it's their way ensuring everyone is present and accounted for. They listen for campers to shout back in unison, "Here!" Once that happens, they know everyone is safe, and that swimming and splashing can continue. Buddy checks – whether in or out of the pool – are a great way to demonstrate that we're looking out for our friends. After all, serious fun is always better with buddies.
2. Water Break! – The body needs water every day – lots and lots of water. It helps us to digest food, regulate body temperature, carry nutrients to cells, and lubricate joints, among other things. Without water, your body can get fatigued, or may even stop functioning properly and become sick. So at camp, kids are encouraged to drink water throughout the day including at meals, in the cabin, and during activities. Whether in the heat of summer or during the cold of winter, staying hydrated is essential for personal safety. If you are having a tough time getting your child to drink enough water, turn it into a game – one that you play, too! Water Break!
3. Pack a Jacket – Temperatures can change rapidly at camp. Maybe it's playing soccer in the warm sun then going to an air-conditioned theater and then back into a warm pool. Or the mornings might bring chilly temperatures, while daytime offers sweltering heat. Having a light jacket or cover-up on hand can help the body stay warm in cool conditions and insulated from hot ones.
4. Wear Sunscreen – Sunshine delivers smiles, but too much unprotected sun exposure can lead to harmful sunburns and worse. A few dollops of sunscreen applied several times a day to the skin – especially the face and arms – can keep your child better protected from the sun. We recommend water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30. It's a simple safety precaution to ensure a happy child!
5. Wash Your Hands – Keeping your hands clean is the single most important thing that anyone – you included – can do to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. At camp, everyone washes their hands with soap and warm water multiple times throughout the day, including before every single meal, after they've kissed a fish and even before cabin chat. And as a good rule of thumb... wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice!