For healthy kids, summer camp might seem like an awesome stretch of fun and freedom, but as a parent, you may feel worried about the safety of your child at camp, including child care and nutrition regulations. Parents likely care more about the details of child care, nutrition, and safety at camp than their children might, but this concern is valid. There are ways to find out just how safe your child’s summer camp is, which should set your mind at ease.

Injuries and Emergency Services

Healthy kids need lots of activity and fresh air, something that most summer camps provide in great quantities! That physical activity, however, can sometimes lead to injuries, especially at camps that focus on athletics. Scrapes, bruises, and small injuries are a routine part of summer camp and should not be something healthy kids and their parents stress out about, but you should know what steps your child’s summer camp takes if and when injuries take place, both minor and in an emergency.

Policies and Staff Training

Every summer camp has policies regarding child care, nutrition, and first aid. This information should be easy to find, and will help answer questions you may have. Look for a summer camp with clearly laid out regulations, including proper staff training for health, safety, child care, and nutrition.

Does all camp staff have first aid certification? Is there easy access to North Phoenix pediatrics care in the event of an emergency? How does the camp dispense medications to campers? Make a list of every child care, nutrition, and health-related question you have, and make sure the answers are satisfactory before signing your child up for camp.

Dietary Planning

Beyond child care, nutrition is a key aspect of safety at camp. Food is not just for fuel, it can pose big risks for campers with allergies or other nutritional needs that require adjusting the standard camp diet. Make sure that your child’s camp can make accommodations so that all campers are healthy kids with good nutrition and access to healthy food.

If you are not sure where to start, ask your North Phoenix pediatrics care provider for summer camp recommendations. As someone who works with children and their parents, your North Phoenix pediatrics clinic staff likely know of a good camp, where child care, nutrition, and safety are a top priority.