Build a Safer Camp with a Clear Response Process

Creating a safe and supportive environment at camp starts with having a clear, actionable process for responding to reports of harm. The best time to put this in place? Before camp begins.

Here are three ways to get started:

1. Do-It-Yourself with Support

Use our SummerSafe Framework (available in the Additional Resources section below) to guide the development of your camp’s response process. We recommend forming a Camp Safety Team—a small group of trusted leaders—to help design and oversee the system.

2. Get Educated with Our Essentials Package

Responding to reports of harm can have serious risk management and legal implications. If you’re looking for support, our Essentials Education Package (The Ropes Course) offers a strong starting point:

• Step-by-step guidance through both our Prepare and Respond frameworks

• Editable template policies for staff, campers, and families

• One hour of legal services to help you review and refine your approach

Visit our Camps Page or Contact Us to learn more.

3. Partner with Us as Outside Counsel

If you’re looking for deeper support, we’re here to help. As outside counsel, we offer:

• Legal review of your existing policies and processes

• Ongoing guidance throughout the camp season

• Strategic advice tailored to your camp’s unique needs

Let’s work together to build safer, more responsive camp communities.

Annual Safety Policy Updates: What Camps Need to Know

Doing your annual update to camp safety policies? You're on the right track—keeping your policies current is a crucial part of creating a safe and supportive environment for campers and staff.

When reviewing and updating your policies, be sure to consider the following:

• Abuse Prevention: Are your training, supervision, and screening practices up to date with current best practices? Make sure your policies clearly outline how to prevent harm before it happens.

• Response Process: Do you have a clear, step-by-step plan for responding to reports of harm? Every camp should have a documented process that includes who responds, how reports are documented and how communication is handled.

• Mandated Reporting. Are your mandated reporting policies clear and supportive to your staff?

• Legal & Risk Management Updates: Have there been changes in state laws or industry standards that impact your policies? This is the time to check.

• Staff, Camper & Family Communication: Policies are a chance to speak to your community. Ensure your policies are written in language that’s accessible and clear to all.

Need help? We offer templates, educational resources, and legal support to guide you through your annual review. Contact us or check out our template Camper and Staff safety policies (on our Camps page) drafted by attorneys to get started.

What Safety Training Should Be Included During Staff Week?

Staff training week is a critical window to set the tone for a safe and supportive camp season. A strong safety training protocol not only helps prevent abuse and harm—it empowers your team to respond confidently and appropriately when concerns arise.

At a minimum, your Staff Week Safety Training should include:

• Abuse Prevention Education
  Train staff to recognize red flags, maintain healthy boundaries, and implement supervision strategies that reduce risk.

• Your Camp’s Response Process
  Ensure every staff member knows exactly what to do if they see, hear, or suspect harm. Walk through your reporting chain, documentation procedures, and how your Camp Safety Team supports the process.

• Policy Review
  Review your camp’s Staff Safety Policy and Camper & Family Safety Policy. Staff should understand the expectations and feel equipped to uphold them.

• Scenario-Based Training.
  Practice real-world situations through role-playing or guided discussions to help staff build muscle memory and confidence.

• The First Disclosure. What legal considerations lie and what should staff consider when staff takes the first report of harm.

• Creating a Safe Culture
  Go beyond compliance—foster an environment where campers and staff feel safe speaking up, asking questions, and supporting one another.

Check out our trainings, which we offer virtually and in-person. Contact us for more information.

When harm happens between campers—whether it's physical, emotional, or sexual—it requires a clear, confident, and legally sound response. Peer-to-peer incidents can be especially complex, and how your camp responds can impact camper safety, staff trust, family relationships, and even your camp’s legal risk.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Take Every Report Seriously
  Even if it seems minor, every peer-to-peer report deserves attention and documentation. Dismissing concerns as “kids being kids” can lead to bigger issues down the line.

• Have a Clear Response Framework
  Your team should know exactly how to respond—who to notify, what steps to take, how to document, and how to support everyone involved.

• Train Your Staff Before Camp Starts
  Your response is only as strong as your staff's preparation. Equip them with the tools, confidence, and language to respond well in real time.

• Know the Legal Implications
  Peer-to-peer incidents can still trigger mandatory reporting obligations and other legal issues. Make sure your process aligns with state law and camp licensing requirements.

Need help setting this up? We offer training on Responding to Reports of Physicality Between Bunkmates and legal guidance when a report of harm is made. We help camps respond with care, clarity, and confidence. Contact us or visit our Camps Page to learn more.

When something goes wrong at camp—whether it’s a behavioral concern, a report of harm, or a safety incident—talking to parents can feel daunting. But how you communicate in those moments can either build trust or break it. That’s where a trauma-informed approach makes all the difference.

Here’s what you need to consider:

• Regulate Before You Respond
  When emotions run high, it’s easy to get defensive or overwhelmed. A trauma-informed approach starts with self-regulation—preparing your team to respond with calm, clarity, and empathy.

• Lead with Care and Clarity
  Avoid vague or overly clinical language. Speak clearly and compassionately, and provide families with the information they need to feel heard and supported.

• Be Transparent, While Minding Privacy Considerations
  Share how your camp handles incidents, what steps have been taken, and what comes next. Transparency builds trust—even when the news is hard to hear. But be mindful of camper privacy.

We help camps build confidence in these critical moments. Our training on trauma-informed communication equips camp leaders and staff with the tools to handle difficult conversations with compassion, professionalism, and legal awareness.

Here’s how we can support you:

• Live trainings on trauma-informed response and parent communication

• Customizable communication scripts and frameworks

• Legal guidance for high-stakes or complex situations

• Policy development and review with a focus on trauma-informed principles

We can help your team speak with confidence—especially when it matters most. Contact us or visit our Camps Page to learn more.