A curated list of verified resources for parents researching camp safety, reporting concerns, and finding safe programs for their children.
Government Agencies
Missouri
- Missouri DHSS — Camp Licensing — Verify camp licenses, view inspection reports, file complaints. Phone: (573) 751-6400
- Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline — Report suspected abuse or neglect at any youth program. 1-800-392-3738 (24/7)
- Missouri Case.net — Search public court records for lawsuits involving camps
- Missouri Attorney General — Consumer Protection — File complaints about deceptive business practices. Phone: (573) 751-3321
- Missouri Sunshine Law — Your right to access public records, including camp inspection reports
Illinois
- Illinois DCFS — Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Child abuse hotline: 1-800-252-2873
- Judici — Illinois Court Records — Search Illinois county court records
- Illinois Attorney General — Consumer Protection — File complaints. Phone: 1-800-386-5438
Federal
- U.S. Center for SafeSport — Searchable disciplinary database for coaches and staff in organized sports
- CDC — Camp Safety — Federal guidance on waterborne illness prevention at camps
- CPSC — Camp Safety — Consumer Product Safety Commission reports on camp equipment recalls
Accreditation and Standards Organizations
- American Camp Association (ACA) — The primary camp accreditation body in the United States. ACA accredits camps that meet 300+ safety standards.
- ACA Camp Finder — Search for ACA-accredited camps
- ACA Parent Resources — Guides for choosing a camp
- Association for Experiential Education (AEE) — Accreditation for outdoor and experiential programs
- National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) — Directory and ethical standards for therapeutic programs (note: membership is self-selected)
Troubled Teen Industry Resources
- Breaking Code Silence — Survivor-led advocacy organization documenting abuse in the troubled teen industry. Testimony database, resources for families, and legislative advocacy.
- NAMI — National Alliance on Mental Illness — Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) — Help finding evidence-based mental health treatment as alternatives to residential programs
- Unsilenced Project — Survivor stories and advocacy for reform of the troubled teen industry
- Government Accountability Office — Residential Treatment Programs — Federal reports documenting abuse and death in residential programs for youth
Child Safety Organizations
- Darkness to Light — Child sexual abuse prevention training and resources. Their “Stewards of Children” program is used by many camps.
- MinistrySafe — Abuse prevention training specifically designed for churches and faith-based youth programs
- Praesidium — Youth-serving organization safety consulting and training
- Stop It Now — Prevention-focused resources. Helpline: 1-888-773-8368
Legal Resources
Note: IsSummerCampSafe.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal referrals. These are general resources for finding qualified legal help.
- Missouri Bar Lawyer Search — Verify an attorney’s standing with the Missouri Bar
- Illinois State Bar Lawyer Finder — Find Illinois attorneys by practice area
- American Bar Association — Free Legal Help — Directory of free and low-cost legal resources
Research and Data
- ACA Camp Trends Report — Annual research on camp enrollment, incidents, and trends
- National Camp Association Safety Data — Industry safety data and best practices
- CDC MMWR — Camp-Related Reports — CDC reports on disease outbreaks and injuries at camps
Our Tools
- Camp Safety Lookup — Search any camp’s public safety record, including licensing status, violations, litigation history, and accreditation
- 10 Warning Signs of an Unsafe Camp — Know what to look for
- Camp Safety Checklist — Comprehensive evaluation checklist
- How to File a Complaint — Step-by-step reporting guide
Resources compiled by Rights Watch Media Group LLC. Links verified as of March 2026. If you find a broken link or have a resource to suggest, contact info@issummercampsafe.com.