Top Summer Camp Safety Trends

While many view camp as a nice yet unnecessary summer activity, the data reveals a different story, illustrating how camp provides lasting benefits such as greater independence, teamwork, character development, and improved well-being. According to Rustic Pathways, the recent shifts towards new skill development, mental health awareness, and outdoor education have changed summer camp operations.

This year, the focus is on safety and integrating technology for real-time monitoring, establishing secure check-in and check-out processes, preparing for emergencies, and developing more robust candidate screening.

Technology Integration

Internet of Things (IoT) Devices:

According to the American Camp Association, IoT (Internet of Things) devices are becoming increasingly significant and gaining traction for real-time monitoring of facilities and equipment, alerting staff to potential problems, and ensuring operational effectiveness.

According to ARM, “IoT devices are pieces of hardware, such as a sensor, gadget, appliance, or machine, that connect to the Internet and are programmed to transmit data through specific applications. IoT can be embedded into mobile devices, industrial equipment, environmental sensors, medical devices, and more.”

Secure Check-In and Check-Out Processes

Digital check-in and out processes are becoming more mainstream for summer camps that want to enhance security, increase data accessibility, reduce risk and liability, and boost retention and loyalty.

Skill Development and Mental Health Support

Tech-Free Zones and Experiences

As technology is integrated for safety and monitoring, some camps will provide technology-free areas and accommodations to encourage better social interaction and increase time spent in nature.

Mental Health Support

There will be greater emphasis on prioritizing mental health and providing trauma-informed care by mental health professionals for campers and staff. The focus will be on helping kids develop social skills, emotional regulation, and resilience.

 Emergency Preparedness & Worker Screening

 Emergency Action Plan

The best time to prepare for a disaster is before it happens. This year, organizations will focus on developing emergency action plans to manage natural events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and active shooter incidents.

Comprehensive Screening

Candidate screening deters bad behavior and reduces the risk of poor hiring. Camp organizations will continue ramping up their screening efforts for workers with direct access to children and youth.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of using secure mobile Express Check-In, children’s and youth check-in, and volunteer scheduling to help manage your events.

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Sources:

https://rusticpathways.com/summer-camp-statistics

https://www.acacamps.org/blog/sponsored/campfires-coding-tech-trends-shaping-modern-camps

https://www.arm.com/glossary/iot