Personal Injury law experts outline the conversations every parent should have before drop-off day

As families finalize summer plans, many parents focus on activities, schedules, and convenience while overlooking critical safety questions that can reveal whether a camp or summer program is truly prepared to protect children when something goes wrong.

While licensed camps must meet specific safety requirements, not every summer program is legally classified as a camp. Regardless of designation, experts say every program should be able to clearly explain how it handles injuries, emergencies, supervision, transportation, allergies, medications, and reunification procedures.

According to Personal Injury attorneys David Lever and Dan Ecker, Founding Partners of Lever & Ecker, PLLC, there are two questions that reveal the most about any program’s safety culture: 

“Tell me about an injury that occurred — walk me through how it was handled.”

and

“Who debriefs after an incident, and what has your program changed as a result?”

As enrollment numbers climb and families navigate an increasingly diverse landscape of camps, sports programs, and enrichment activities, experts emphasize that due diligence remains one of the most effective safety tools available to parents. Programs that prioritize preparation, communication, and continuous improvement are typically able to demonstrate those commitments through clear policies and transparent discussions. All too often, there are overlooked safety, supervision, emergency response, and risk management issues parents should evaluate before enrolling children in camps, enrichment programs, sports clinics, and other summer activities.

With millions of children participating in summer programs nationwide, parents should look beyond brochures and activity schedules and engage program administrators in meaningful conversations about safety, supervision, emergency preparedness, and incident response. Asking tougher, more specific questions can provide valuable insight into a program’s safety culture and help families make more informed enrollment decisions before camp begins.

Lever and Ecker recommend parents ask questions like these before drop-off day:

• Ask about supervision ratios and whether they change during swimming or field trips.
• Ask how headcounts are done and who is responsible.
• Find out what background checks are required for staff and volunteers, whether CPR and first aid training is mandatory, and what the drop-off and pick-up procedure looks like.
• Ask how allergies are managed, how medications are stored and administered, and when the program contacts 911 versus parents.
• Ask about emergency drills, reunification plans, and how the facility controls entry.
• For programs with field trips, ask whether drivers are trained, seatbelts are enforced, and what happens if a child is separated from the group.

Ultimately, experts say that a program’s willingness to answer detailed safety questions may be just as important as the activities it offers. Parents who take the time to understand how a camp or summer program responds to emergencies, supervises children, and learns from past incidents can gain a clearer picture of whether safety is truly embedded in the organization’s culture.

While no program can eliminate every risk, transparency, preparedness, and accountability remain among the strongest indicators of a well-run operation. By asking thoughtful questions before enrollment, families can make more informed decisions and help ensure children enjoy a safe, rewarding summer experience.

In the end, asking the right questions is not about being skeptical. It is about ensuring that the adults entrusted with children’s care are equipped to respond when the unexpected occurs. That conversation can make all the difference in selecting a program that is both enjoyable and prepared.

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Photo Courtesy of Lever & Ecker, PLLC

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***