Two Compelling Case Studies

Summer camp (either day camps or residential camps) has long been celebrated as a highlight of childhood. For many, it’s a place of laughter, deep friendships, personal growth, and learning new skills... But for others, it’s a place where painful memories were born—often in the absence of proper protections. As we reflect on two very different camp experiences, we are reminded of the sacred responsibility we carry to protect children and youth.

Case Study 1: The Best Time of Her Life

Emily, now in her thirties, still talks about her time at Camp Timber Ridge as “the best summer of my life.” At thirteen, she spent two weeks surrounded by nature, engaging in deep conversations, making crafts, and kayaking on the lake. Her cabin leaders were fun, encouraging, and, most importantly, trustworthy.

“They took time to get to know each of us,” Emily recalls. “One of them even helped me work through some stuff I’d been struggling with. I felt seen, safe, and supported.”

Camp Timber Ridge had a strong culture of protection: staff were trained in child and youth safety, cabins had a two-leader minimum at all times, and there were clear protocols for supervision, bathroom use, and reporting concerns. Communication with parents was transparent, and leaders were held accountable through daily check-ins and ongoing oversight. For Emily, the environment fostered both fun and deep faith formation.

Case Study 2: When Camp Becomes a Place of Pain

In contrast, Alex’s story is one of heartbreak. He attended a weeklong camp when he was twelve. It was marketed as a safe, adventure camp, but it lacked many of the protections necessary to keep children safe. Alex’s counselor began grooming him with extra attention, one-on-one outings, and isolated conversations. By the end of the week, Alex had been sexually abused—an experience that took years to disclose and decades to begin healing from.

“No one ever noticed,” Alex shared in a survivor support group. “I thought I was the only one, and I did something wrong. That shame followed me into adulthood.”

Looking back, it became clear that the camp had a nonexistent abuse prevention program, minimum safeguarding training, no consistent supervision, and no safe reporting mechanism. Staff were hired based on personal relationships rather than thorough screening or reference checks from previous camp experiences... Though the camp’s mission was strong values, the values were seldom tested, policies were never audited, and the lack of accountability and safeguards led to devastating harm.

What We Can Learn

These two stories illustrate a stark reality: the experience of summer camp, whether joyful or traumatic, often hinges on the presence or absence of intentional protection.

Emily’s story shows what’s possible when protection is prioritized. Safe camps are led by individuals who recognize the importance of accountability, establish clear boundaries, and commit to ongoing training. They don't just assume good intentions will be enough—they build systems that actively prevent harm.

Alex’s story, painful as it is, offers a warning and a call to action. Even well-meaning camp ministries can become environments for abuse if there are no safeguards in place. The presence of faith-based programming does not exempt us from the need for rigorous protection standards.

A Sacred Responsibility

As those entrusted with the care of children and youth, we must do better. Abuse prevention is not just a legal obligation—it is a high calling. We are called to protect the vulnerable, reflect pure love, and ensure that our camps are places of healing, not harm.

With proper policies, screening, supervision, and training, summer camps can be places where memories like Emily’s are the norm, and stories like Alex’s become increasingly rare. Let's be intentional. Let's be prepared. And let’s build camps that are not only fun and adventurous, but are truly safe!

Summer Camp Safeguarding Checklist

for Camp Directors

1. Policy and Procedure Review

• Review all safeguarding policies and procedures for current relevance and alignment with legal requirements and best practices.
• Update protocols based on lessons learned from previous years or incidents.
• Ensure policies include clear definitions of abuse, steps for reporting, and boundaries for appropriate behaviour.
• Confirm emergency response plans are up to date (e.g., missing child protocol, injury, weather-related emergencies).

 

2. Staff and Volunteer Screening

• Conduct criminal background checks for all new and returning staff and volunteers.
• Ensure vulnerable sector checks are completed where applicable.
• Require completed applications, reference checks, and interviews for ALL personnel.

 

3. Abuse Prevention and Safeguarding Training

• Provide mandatory training on abuse prevention for all staff and volunteers before camp begins.
• Include training on:
  • Recognizing and reporting abuse
  • Appropriate physical and emotional boundaries
  • Supervision expectations
  • Camp-specific safeguarding protocols
• Ensure documentation of attendance and completion of training is kept on file.

 

4. Qualified Staff for High-Risk Activities

• Verify that staff leading water-based activities, ropes courses, archery, or other high-risk programs have proper certification and training.
• Ensure first aid and CPR certifications are up to date for designated staff.
• Conduct risk assessments for each high-risk activity and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place.

 

5. Staff-to-Camper Ratios

• Review and confirm that staff-to-camper ratios meet or exceed legal and best practice standards for each age group.
• Ensure two-deep leadership is maintained—no staff member should be alone with a camper.
• Account for extra staff for high-needs children or campers with disabilities.

 

6. Parent Communication and Consent

• Send detailed information packages to parents outlining:
  • Daily schedules
  • Activity-specific risks
  • Safety protocols
  • Contact information
• Obtain written informed consent for participation in all activities, especially high-risk ones.
• Provide parents with a code of conduct and outline expectations for behaviour and discipline.
• Communicate your reporting and response protocol in the event of an incident.

 

7. Facility and Site Safety

• Conduct a thorough site inspection for hazards (e.g., sharp objects, poison ivy, loose boards).
• Ensure first aid kits are well-stocked and accessible throughout the camp.
• Test all communication equipment(radios, phones, alarms).
• Confirm safe and secure sleeping arrangements(with supervision protocols).

 

8. Daily Supervision and Monitoring

• Implement daily check-in/check-out protocols for campers.
• Monitor and document camper health concerns or behaviour issues.
• Schedule daily debriefs for staff to review concerns or incidents.

 

9. Incident Reporting and Follow-Up

• Review and distribute incident report forms.
• Ensure a transparent chain of communication for reporting suspected abuse or misconduct, sharing information on a need-to-know basis.
• Pre-identify a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or equivalent.
• Establish procedures for post-incident care, including support for victims and debriefing for staff.

10. Trauma-Informed Care

• Ensure staff are trained in trauma-informed practices, including how trauma may affect behaviour, communication, and emotional regulation in children.
• Promote compassionate, non-judgmental responses to camper distress or behavioural issues.
• Avoid re-traumatizing practices such as isolation, shaming, or excessive discipline.
• Provide safe spaces and trusted team members that campers or counsellors can go to if they feel overwhelmed or upset.
• Encourage consistency, predictability, and clear boundaries to help campers feel secure.
• Equip staff to recognize when a child may need additional support or a referral to a mental health professional.