Is your child headed to camp this summer? If so, parents should review the camp’s policies on safety. Kids Health First, a coalition of 34 independent pediatric practices, suggests parents look for a few key things:

• What supervision is in place for water activities?
• As well as having adequate lifeguards on duty at all swim times, there should be a buddy system that encourages children to look out for one another.
• What accreditations does the camp hold? Associations like the American Camping Association provide accreditation to camps meeting certain industry standards.
• Review a copy of the camp’s written plan for safety. It should describe fire and medical protocol, and general activity safety requirements.
• For all out-of-camp trips, learn what types of regulations are in place, such as a buddy system or a lost-camper plan. Some states require a trip leader who is qualified to respond to medical emergencies (RTE), a Red Cross certification that requires significant hours of specialized training.