Sleepaway Camp Safety: What Parents Should Know Before Enrolling
Safety Questions Are Reasonable, Not Anxious
Sending your child away for weeks is a major decision. Your safety concerns aren’t “overreacting”—they are responsible.
We believe in explaining our safety practices clearly, calmly, and specifically. Vague assurances aren’t enough. Here is exactly what safety looks like at Camp Lakota.
If you’re considering sleepaway camp for the first time, understanding our comprehensive safety approach should be part of your research.
1. Medical Care and Communication
You need to know who takes care of your child when they feel unwell.
We have a registered nurse on site for the entire summer, and we have doctors who rotate through or are on call. We are also located just 10 minutes from urgent care and about 20 minutes from a hospital.
Just as important as proximity is communication. Our policy is simple: we call you for any issue beyond a simple band-aid. That policy is designed to reduce the “fear of not knowing,” which we know is one of the biggest worries for first-time parents.
What Gets a Parent Call vs. What Doesn’t
To give you a concrete understanding of our communication thresholds:
We handle internally (no parent call):
Minor scrapes, cuts, or bruises
Bug bites
Brief stomach upset that resolves quickly
Minor headaches that respond to rest
We call you for:
Any injury requiring more than basic first aid
Illness that persists or prevents participation
Fever or symptoms requiring medication
Any health concern that worries your child
All visits to urgent care or emergency rooms
Changes to medication administration
This balanced approach keeps you informed without creating alarm over every minor bump that happens in active childhood.
Medication Management
All prescription and over-the-counter medications are stored in our health center and administered by medical staff according to physician orders. We maintain detailed logs of every dose given. Parents provide medications in original packaging with clear dosing instructions at check-in.
For campers with serious allergies, we maintain additional protocols including photo boards in the kitchen, EpiPens stored in both the health center and dining hall, and staff training in recognizing allergic reactions.
2. Water Safety and High-Risk Activities
The waterfront is often a parent’s top concern—and it should be.
At Camp Lakota, we employ certified lifeguards specifically for our pool and specifically for our lake. Each waterfront has designated guards who understand the protocols for that specific setting. Furthermore, we have a husband-and-wife team with years of experience who oversee our waterfronts, providing adult supervision over our seasonal staff.
This multi-layered approach means:
Certified lifeguards are in the water or on deck during all water activities
Waterfront directors oversee operations, ensure protocols are followed, and train seasonal staff
Clear swim areas are marked with depth indicators and boundaries
Buddy system is enforced during all water activities
Swim assessments determine appropriate placement for each camper’s skill level
Weather monitoring ensures we clear the water immediately when storms approach
Waterfront closure during non-activity times prevents unsupervised access
Safety extends beyond the water. Our orientation week includes safety protocol briefings for all high-risk activities—like ropes courses and go-karts—even for counselors who aren’t specialists. Accidents often happen when non-specialists don’t understand the rules, so we ensure everyone is trained.
For activities like:
Ropes courses and climbing walls: Certified facilitators, proper equipment checks, helmet and harness protocols
Archery: Range safety rules, designated instructors, clear firing lines a
nd safety zones
You should expect clear answers about who is watching your child.
Our process includes:
Before Staff Arrive:
Rigorous background checks including criminal history verification
Mandatory sexual abuse prevention training that must be completed before staff arrive at camp
Reference verification from previous employers and character references
In-person or video interviews to assess maturity and child-centered values
Once Staff Arrive (Week-Long Orientation):
Full handbook review covering policies, procedures, and expectations
Roles and expectations training so every staff member knows their responsibilities
Scenario role-playing including homesickness, conflicts, and behavioral challenges
Reporting hierarchy for bullying, harassment, or safety concerns
Activity-specific safety protocols for waterfront, ropes, and all high-risk areas
Emergency procedures including evacuation routes, medical emergencies, and crisis response
Child development basics and age-appropriate expectations
A strong camp culture isn’t defined just by “nice people.” It’s defined by training, clarity, and accountability.
Ongoing Supervision Throughout Summer
Safety doesn’t stop after orientation. Throughout the summer:
Directors conduct regular check-ins with staff
Group leaders (including Camp Moms) supervise counselors and provide mentorship
We maintain clear reporting hierarchies for different situations
Staff have access to leadership 24/7 for questions or concerns
We address issues immediately rather than waiting
4. Campus Access and Monitoring
Parents often ask, “Can anyone just walk onto camp?”
We control access through a gated entrance with a security presence. We handle deliveries at the end of the driveway rather than allowing unrestricted access onto camp grounds. We also close the gate at night and use cameras to monitor common areas.
Our Multi-Layered Security Approach
Physical Security:
Gated entrance with controlled access
Delivery protocol that keeps vendors off main campus
Gates closed and secured at night
Perimeter awareness and regular grounds checks
Technology:
Camera systems monitoring common areas
Large animal detection (bears, etc.) with automatic staff notification
Communication systems connecting staff across campus
We use technology to help us, too. Our camera system can detect large animals (like bears) and notify staff immediately, helping us keep the grounds safe.
Visitor Protocol:
All visitors check in at the gate
Pre-registration required for visiting day
Clear identification of authorized individuals
Unannounced visits are not permitted during regular camp sessions
5. Emergency Planning and Drills
Emergency planning is where many camps differ in practice. We don’t just have a plan; we practice it.
We conduct routine emergency drills throughout the summer:
Fire drills: Two to three per summer, ensuring all campers and staff know evacuation routes and meeting points
Active shooter drills: Age-appropriate training in lockdown and evacuation procedures
Large animal drills: Protocols for bear sightings or other wildlife encounters
Snake awareness seminars: Teaching campers and staff how to identify and respond to venomous snakes in our area
Severe weather protocols: Lightning detection, tornado procedures, evacuation plans
Professional Partnerships That Matter
Additionally, our insurance company sends a representative to speak with staff during every orientation, and we maintain strong relationships with local first responders. Our maintenance head is actually a certified first responder. These connections matter because they improve coordination in real-world situations.
We’re not just connected to emergency services—we have:
Direct lines of communication with local fire department
Established relationships with local law enforcement
Known evacuation routes and rally points
Regular coordination with local hospitals and urgent care
On-site staff with first responder certification
Safety and the “First-Time Parent” Lens
Even with strong safety practices, we know first-time parents worry about the smaller, everyday moments: Who notices if my child isn’t eating? Who helps with bedtime? What if my child gets overwhelmed?
These are “micro-safety” questions—and they matter just as much as emergency preparedness.
This is why we have experienced group leaders and our “Camp Moms” for our youngest divisions. We built our supervision structure to ensure that care isn’t just about emergencies—it’s about daily well-being.
Daily Wellness Monitoring
Our counselors are trained to watch for:
Changes in eating patterns: Is a camper skipping meals or eating significantly less?
Sleep disruptions: Is a camper having trouble falling asleep or waking frequently?
Social withdrawal: Is a camper pulling away from activities or peers?
Mood changes: Does a camper seem persistently sad, anxious, or angry?
Physical complaints: Recurring headaches or stomach aches that might signal stress
When counselors notice these patterns, they don’t wait—they report to group leaders and directors who can intervene with additional support or parent communication.
Learn more about what to expect regarding daily routines and supervision at camp.
What About Bullying and Emotional Safety?
Physical safety is essential, but emotional safety matters just as much. Camp Lakota maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.
Our approach includes:
Clear expectations communicated from Day 1
Staff training in recognizing and addressing bullying
Immediate intervention when conflicts arise
Restorative conversations to address root causes
Parent notification if serious or ongoing issues emerge
Dismissal policies for severe or repeated violations
We actively cultivate an environment where differences are celebrated, every camper belongs, staff model respectful communication, and campers learn to be “upstanders” rather than bystanders.
Questions You Should Ask Any Camp
As you evaluate different camps, these questions will help you assess safety standards:
What are your staff-to-camper ratios? Lower ratios mean better supervision.
What certifications do your waterfront and activity staff hold? Look for specific credentials, not just “training.”
How do you screen staff before hiring? Background checks should be standard, not optional.
What is your medical staff’s availability? 24/7 access matters for nighttime or weekend issues.
When do you contact parents about health issues? Clear thresholds indicate good protocols.
What emergency drills do you conduct? Practiced plans work better than theoretical ones.
How do you handle behavioral issues and bullying? Specific policies matter more than general statements.
Can you provide references from past families? Camps confident in their safety should welcome this.
Are you accredited by the American Camp Association? Accreditation indicates adherence to 300+ industry standards.
If a camp is evasive, vague, or dismissive about safety questions, that tells you something important.
The Right Conclusion to Reach
Our goal isn’t just to promise “no risk.” No environment—including your own home—is risk-free. Our goal is to show you that we:
Plan for risk through comprehensive policies and protocols
Train for risk through extensive staff orientation and ongoing education
Supervise for risk through layered oversight and appropriate staffing
Communicate clearly when something happens, keeping you informed and involved
That is what safety looks like in practice at Camp Lakota.
We take your trust seriously. Every safety protocol, every training session, every drill, and every policy exists because we understand what you’re entrusting to us: your most precious responsibility.
Safety at Camp Lakota isn’t just about rules and protocols—it’s about creating an environment where children can take healthy risks, grow, and thrive, knowing that trained adults are watching, planning, and prepared for whatever may arise.
