The Safest Summer Camps: 6 Things to Look For
When you’re choosing a summer camp, the fun activities are important—but nothing matters more than your child’s safety. Safety isn’t just a checklist. The safest summer camps have it as the foundation of everything a camp program does to ensure that campers feel secure, supported, and free to learn and play.
Cassandra Casey, Coordinator of Personal Enrichment & Youth Programs at Carroll Community College and current Chair of the Maryland Youth Camp Safety Advisory Council, shares how certified camps across Maryland make safety a top priority:
- Licensed by the State
All youth camps in Maryland must be certified by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH). That means camps are inspected to meet strict health and safety standards. When you choose an MDH-certified camp, you’re choosing a program that puts your child’s well-being first. - Thorough Background Checks
Reputable camp programs take vetting seriously. Every instructor and volunteer should go through fingerprinting and background checks with Child Protective Services. This ensures that only trusted adults are working with the campers. - Robust Health & Safety Procedures
The safest summer camps are backed by the full resources available to that program. For example, at Carroll, this means:- Campus Police are available on-site throughout camp hours.
- Classrooms and public spaces are cleaned by professional Environmental Services staff.
- Buildings and equipment are maintained by the College’s Facilities team.
- Emergency procedures and health plans are well-documented and ready to go.
- Low Supervision Ratios
Maryland requires one adult for every 15 campers, but the safest summer camps boast an even better adult-to-student ratio. Carroll’s average is closer to 1:8—and even smaller for high-need camps like cooking or camps for younger children.
In addition, most of the instructors are professional K–12 teachers, and many assistants are over 21 and already working in schools. - Well-Maintained Facilities
A camp’s setting should of course be clean and organized, minimizing the risk of anything that may harm a child. The facilities themselves should also provide the most state-of-the-art summer camp equipment. Carroll’s campus, for instance, is fully equipped for specialized programs where campers have access to authentic science labs, art studios, computer labs, and performance spaces, offering high-quality, hands-on experiences. - Highly Trained Staff
From CPR and first aid to mental health and emergency medication assistance, the safest summer camp staffers are prepared for anything. In fact, thanks to the advanced training of its team, Carroll is one of the few camps in the county that accepts campers who need medications administered onsite.
“The safety of our campers is our top priority,” Cassandra Casey said of Carroll’s Kids@Carroll and Teen Camp programs. “A safe camp environment allows campers to learn, explore, and grow without worry. We want to foster trust between parents, our staff, and the community.”
At the highest-rated summer programs, camp safety is a team effort led by passionate educators, supported by institutional systems, and guided by state-level best practices. The safest summer camps don’t just want your child to have fun—they want them to thrive.
