Summer Programming Safety Tips & Resources

July 2026

Summer brings new opportunities for young people and staff, as programs welcome seasonal staff and move beyond their regular location for field trips, excursions, and celebrations. Building community among campers and staff, keeping everyone engaged, and keeping everyone safe takes planning, teamwork and repetition. In their blog post Preparing for Emergencies at the Waterfront, the American Camp Association recommends these four steps to keep your emergency policies and practices top of mind and automatic, WIRE:

• Step 1: Write It.

• Step 2: Implement It.

• Step 3: Rehearse It.

• Step 4: Enforce It.

Below is a selection of safety resources to support both your summer and school year planning:

• Afterschool & Summer Safety Tips is a 2-page tip sheet from the Learn All The Time (LATT) Network.

• American Camp Association is a community of 10,000+ camp professionals who share their knowledge and experience empower camps to create quality experiences. Go to ACA’s search page and filter by topic to find “Crisis Planning & Response” and “Safety” resources such as:

  • Building a Safety Culture: Training Frontline Staff to Respond to Critical Incidents

  • Severe Weather and Heat Stress: Know the Risks and Be Prepared

  • The Safety Navigator - A network of safety professionals and experts with decades of experience in industries where strong safety culture and systems save lives every day, The Safety Navigator team launched a FREE online safety platform where US Camps can access:

    • Safety templates and tools to support planning and preparedness

    • Training materials and e-learning resources for staff readiness

    • An interactive Risk Assessment tool to support you in understanding your camp’s unique risk profile.

    • One-on-one access to experienced safety professionals for targeted help and coaching

    • Access to financial grants for non-profit Camps to support in the implementation of safety requirements

• America Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Trainings led by Trying Together in southwestern PA can be found here.