Sending your child to summer camp should be exciting, not anxiety-inducing. But every year, children are hurt at camps that showed warning signs long before an incident occurred. Here are 10 red flags that safety advocates and child welfare professionals consistently identify.
1. No Verifiable Licensing or Registration
In Missouri, residential youth camps (overnight camps) must be licensed by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). If a camp cannot produce a current license number, or if their license cannot be verified through DHSS records, that is a serious concern.
What to do: Ask the camp directly for their DHSS license number. Verify it through the Missouri DHSS camp licensing office or use our Camp Lookup Tool.
2. Resistance to Answering Safety Questions
A well-run camp welcomes parent questions about safety policies. If a camp is evasive, dismissive, or hostile when you ask about staff-to-camper ratios, emergency procedures, or supervision policies, consider that a serious warning sign.
Questions they should answer readily:
- What is your staff-to-camper ratio?
- What training do your counselors receive?
- What is your emergency medical plan?
- How do you handle severe weather?
- What is your policy on staff being alone with a child?
3. No Background Check Policy — Or a Vague One
Ask the camp specifically: “Do you conduct criminal background checks on all staff, including seasonal employees and volunteers?” If the answer is anything other than a clear “yes,” proceed with caution.
What a good background check policy includes:
- FBI fingerprint-based checks (not just name-based)
- Sex offender registry checks in all states the employee has lived
- Checks conducted annually, not just at initial hire
- Clear policy for handling results
4. High Staff Turnover
If a camp seems to have an entirely new staff every year, ask why. Some turnover is normal in seasonal work. But camps with strong safety cultures tend to retain experienced staff who return year after year.
What to ask: “How many of your senior staff have been with the camp for more than two seasons?”
5. Lack of Written Safety Policies
Professional camps maintain written policies for:
- Medical emergencies and first aid
- Severe weather procedures
- Missing camper protocols
- Waterfront and swimming safety
- Transportation safety
- Abuse prevention and reporting
If a camp cannot provide these in writing, or says they handle things “on a case-by-case basis,” that is a warning sign.
6. No ACA Accreditation — And No Explanation Why
American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation is voluntary, and many good camps choose not to pursue it. But an ACA-accredited camp has met over 300 safety standards verified by independent review. If a camp is not accredited, ask them what standards they follow instead.
7. History of Safety Violations or Lawsuits
Public records can reveal a camp’s safety history. DHSS inspection reports, court filings on Missouri Case.net, and news reports can all show whether a camp has a pattern of safety problems.
A single incident does not necessarily mean a camp is unsafe — accidents happen. But a pattern of violations, especially repeated violations of the same type, is a serious red flag.
Use our Camp Lookup Tool to check any camp’s public record.
8. Unclear Waterfront and Activity Safety Protocols
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of camp-related fatalities. Any camp with a pool, lake, river, or waterfront should have:
- Certified lifeguards on duty during all water activities
- A buddy system or check-in/check-out board
- Clearly marked swim areas appropriate for skill levels
- Written waterfront safety rules posted and enforced
9. Medical Staffing Gaps
For residential camps, ask who provides medical care and what their qualifications are. A camp nurse or EMT should be on-site 24/7 during residential sessions. The camp should have a relationship with a nearby hospital and a clear medical evacuation plan.
For children with medical conditions: Ask specifically how the camp handles medications, allergies, asthma, and dietary restrictions. Their answer should be detailed and confident, not vague.
10. Pressure to Sign Waivers Without Time to Read Them
Every camp will ask you to sign waivers and consent forms — that is normal. What is not normal is being pressured to sign quickly, being told the forms are “just standard,” or being discouraged from having an attorney review them.
Take the forms home. Read them carefully. If a waiver attempts to release the camp from liability for negligence or intentional misconduct, that is legally questionable and practically concerning.
The Bottom Line
No camp is risk-free. Children get scraped knees, bug bites, and homesick. The goal is not zero risk — it is informed decision-making. A camp that takes safety seriously will welcome your questions and have clear, documented answers.
If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. There are thousands of excellent camps that will be transparent about their safety practices.
This guide is provided for informational purposes by Rights Watch Media Group LLC. It is not legal advice. Data sources: Missouri DHSS, American Camp Association, National Camp Association safety standards, published research on camp safety.