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A summer camp is vital for your kid if you want them to experience new things. In fact, over 10 million kids across the globe go to day camp or overnight camp during summer. To ensure your children have an exciting summer camp experience, there should be a summer camp safety rules and plan for kids whether you’re going with them or not.
If your kids attend a camp run by pros, you’re assured of their safety. Most summer camps have camp staff who oversee operations, camp counselors to advise the children, caregivers in case of injuries, etc. Let’s look at several summer camp safety tips.
How Do You Keep Kids Safe While Camping?
Etiquette
Teach your kids some camping ground etiquette. For instance, they shouldn’t go anywhere alone, meaning they should always have someone with them to prevent accidents.
Fire
One of the biggest threats to safety precautions in child’s camps is fire, so adults must be around when fires are lit. Kids shouldn’t be left alone near fires.
Open Communication
It’s vital that you maintain open communication with kids during camping. For instance, you can bring walkie-talkies to track your kids when playing or riding bikes with their friends. This will come in handy in case they get lost.
Poisonous Plants
Some plants your kids can run into on the camping trail, such as castor oil plants and poison ivy, can be lethal if ingested. So if you see a suspicious-looking plant, you can look it up and advise your kids against eating anything they come across.
Water Bodies
You must keep kids safe around water, whether boating, playing near the water body or swimming. To be on the safe side, make sure they don’t try to swim in large water bodies, and if they can, they should be supervised by a professional to guarantee water safety.
Well-being
Make sure the wellness of your kids during camping is guaranteed. For instance, ensure they have appropriate clothes for all weather conditions, stay hydrated, apply sunscreen, etc.
Wild Animals
When camping, your kids may run into wild animals. Some may look friendly to them, but you must teach your kids not to approach them.
How Do I Prepare My Child for Summer Camp?
Involve Your Kid in Pre-Camp Preparations
Involving your kid in the summer camp selection process and discussing some of the camp activities is vital and can help generate excitement about going to summer camp.
Involve your kids in the process of picking a summer camp destination; ask them how long they want to stay and the camp activities they’d like to sign up for.
Look Up Photos of the Camp Site or Visit the Site Physically
You can visit the summer campsite in advance; if this isn’t an option, you can conduct background checks using photos and videos of the camping site online.
Why is this important? To calm your kids’ anxiety in case they’re nervous about going. Also, ask your kid to consult their friends who’ve attended previous camps.
Overnight Stay
You can schedule overnight stays for your kids with family members or friends. This gives them the experience of spending time away from you and sleeping in a new environment.
Go Shopping
Going for summer camp shopping with your kid and packing these items with their help will let them pick what they want to bring to summer camp. If they were anxious before, this would help calm their fears.
Check The Camp’s Packing List
The items your kid needs to take to summer camp will depend on the location and duration of their stay. Most summer camps provide a personalized camping checklist.
But ensure you pack comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear that thorns can’t easily pierce. If they have medication, pack that as well and include the dosing instructions.
As you pack a summer camping bag for your kid, ensure you label their belongings so that they don’t lose them or mistake them with those of their peers.
Top 15 Essential Summer Camp Safety Rules for Kids in Switzerland
1. Ensure Your Kids Are Vaccinated
Most summer camps in Switzerland need proof of vaccination. According to the ACA (American camp association), if campers are not vaccinated, they are prone to disease outbreaks.
2. Ensure Your Kids Get Sleep
Your kids should get adequate sleep during summer camp. Sleep promotes cognitive function, restores energy, boosts disease resistance, etc.
3. Understand Your Kid’s Food Allergies
According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), over 5% of kids worldwide have at least one food allergy.
If your kid is allergic to any food, notify the summer camp director, so they know how to administer first aid in the event on an emergency. You can also pack an epi-pen for your kid.
4. Book a Doctor’s Appointment Prior to Camp
Book an appointment with your kid’s health care provider prior to summer camp. A physical exam is vital to confirm your child’s health before entering new environments.
5. Ensure Your Kids Wash Their Hands
Campers will get dirty as they engage in activities such as games. So it’s essential that they wash their hands with soap and water, especially before meals. Disinfecting their hands by handwashing or using hand sanitizer is vital to prevent them from ingesting dirt.
6. Sunscreen
Summer camp comprises lots of outdoor activities to keep kids occupied. As a result, they will be exposed to the sun, which can give them sunburn. So teach your kids how to apply sunscreen on their skin to prevent sunburn.
7. Balanced Diet
Your kid should have healthy meals during summer camp. Fortunately, most children’s camps in Switzerland serve healthy kid-friendly meals.
8. Proper Clothing
Your kids should have proper camping clothes and gear to protect them from severe weather conditions and injuries. For instance, sneakers are ideal footwear, knee pads for when they go bike or horseback riding, as well as goggles and life jackets for swimming.
9. Pack Bug Repellent
Bugs are expected in camps, especially during summer. Pack some bug repellent for your kids and encourage them to wear long-sleeve shirts, pants, and socks. Also, instruct your kids to stay away from bug-infested areas such as thickets.
10. Keep Them Hydrated
Kids can quickly dehydrate during summer camp due to exposure to high temperatures and multiple outdoor activities. It’s essential that they have a large water bottle to help them hydrate when they need to.
11. Engage Them in Physical Activity
Physical activity can help your kids develop strong muscles and bones, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and minimize the risk of lifestyle diseases. So it’s vital that your kids engage in physical activity, albeit not too much.
12. Teach Your Kids How to Care for Themselves
If you won’t be with your kids during camp, teach them to take care of themselves. How? if they’re under meds, ensure they know when to take them and remember to take them
13. Shoes On at All Times
Whether boots or sneakers, kids need to have some type of closed footwear when moving around. When in camps and barefoot, children are exposed to various dangers. For instance, poisonous plants, thorns, rocks, etc.
14. Instruct Kids to Stay Together
One of the primary camp safety guidelines for kids is always to stay together. Your kids should practice this even when a camping executive director isn’t monitoring them. This prevents them from wandering to unsafe areas and from getting lost.
15. Keep Dangerous Tools Out of Their Reach
Keep dangerous tools such as knives and firearms out of your kid’s reach. Kids don’t know how to operate such tools, and they could injure themselves in the process.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, there are many more rules you can come up with for your kids to follow during summer camp, but these are the most essential. Not only do they help keep them safe during camp, but they’re crucial life lessons moving forward.
