How a camp responds to a crisis may determine whether it can survive financially. Effective risk management requires total commitment from ownership and management, and staff involvement. Steps in formulating a risk management plan include identifying all potential crises and their frequency and severity potential, developing responses,…

Considers risk management and liability issues in cases of camp partnerships with schools, camp alternatives to incarceration for juvenile offenders, and elder hostel programs. Discusses making contracts, hiring attorneys, identifying risks and responsibilities, insuring volunteers, governmental immunity, liability waivers, additional insured…

Accidents at camps increase when counselors become fatigued or complacent, or step out of their primary roles as supervisors and become participants. Horseplay, time in bunks, and sports activities are hotspots for injuries. Camps must teach counselors how to monitor fatigue and recognize when activities exceed campers' abilities. A video is…

Camp staff who develop competency, understand that they can make a difference, and feel part of a team will have a more positive camp experience and will want to return. Continuous in-service training can accomplish this via daily 15-minute briefing sessions in which precamp training issues are revisited and staff input is sought. (TD)