Every summer, storms sweep through the Midwest or wildfires threaten the West, and camp safety is compromised.
Dramatic headlines follow.
“Floodwaters Swallow Camp”
“Lightning Strikes Near Summer Camp”
“Derecho Topples Trees as Campers Take Shelter”
This year alone, floods hit Texas, and a powerful storm in the Midwest sent trees crashing down just yards from campers. News stories with gripping photos and phrases like “narrow escape” travel fast.
For parents reading at home, hearts race—and rightly so. After all, they’ve entrusted their children to the care of others, often in rustic, remote places far from city infrastructure.
But here’s what those headlines don’t say.
Behind the Scenes:
The Camp Safety Measures You Don’t Hear About
Months of Planning Before Campers Arrive
At ACA-accredited camps across the country, safety isn’t an afterthought—it’s built into every decision. Camps create detailed emergency action plans, run regular weather drills, keep radios humming in the background, and rehearse shelter protocols until they’re second nature.
Leadership Beyond Expectations
Many camp staff members are still in college, yet they take on the responsibility of professionals twice their age, meeting emergencies with composure and care.
It’s not luck that keeps campers safe. It’s leadership, preparedness, and love.
Camp Safety Systems That Stay Quiet Until They Matter Most
There are more than 2,400 ACA-accredited overnight camps in the United States, serving millions of children every year. These camps meet over 200 safety and care standards, covering everything from waterfront supervision to severe weather response.
How Camps Prepare for Weather Emergencies
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Dedicated monitoring: Staff track weather daily, often hourly, using state and national alerts.
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Clear evacuation protocols: Plans outline when to shelter, when to move, and how to update families.
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Annual facility inspections: Structures are checked for integrity and emergency accessibility.
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Ongoing training: Preparation happens before camp, during orientation, and continues all summer.
Fact: Many of the most critical safety decisions happen before the first raindrop falls.
Why This Level of Preparedness Matters
Safety at camp is the foundation for emotional growth, confidence, and connection.
When children feel secure, they ...
- ... take brave steps.
- ... form lasting friendships.
- ... push past perceived limits.
- ... open up in ways they never have before.
- ... dance like no one’s watching—even when everyone is.
Camp changes lives, and that transformation only happens when safety comes first.
The Next Time You See a Scary Headline…
Pause before fear takes over and ask yourself:
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What systems were in place that allowed every child to walk away unharmed?
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What does this say about the training and heart of the staff who responded calmly and instantly?
Disasters may dominate the news, but love rarely makes the headlines.
At camp, love is why we plan. Love is why we prepare.
And love is what keeps campers safe, storm after storm, summer after summer.