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What Do Summer Program Staff Need to Know about Safety?

Picture of The Joffe Family The Joffe Family : May 22, 2026

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Behind every successful summer program experience is a team of dedicated staff members. These individuals foster opportunities for students to learn, make friends, and even seek adventure. 
 
How can you make sure that summer program staff keep campers safe – physically and emotionally? Here are five elements to include in your training program for summer staffers:
 
 
Setting Expectations and Healthy Boundaries
 
Summer program staff are role models, and clear expectations for behavior help create a safe and respectful environment. Staff should maintain professional relationships with students, avoid favoritism, and follow camp policies regarding supervision, communication, and physical contact. Healthy boundaries protect both campers and staff.

Medical Awareness and Basic First Aid
 

Every staff member should know basic first aid procedures. Minor injuries, allergic reactions, and insect bites are common during summer program activities and often require quick responses.

Heat-related illnesses are one of the biggest summer risks. Staff should recognize signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion, including dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Encouraging hydration, sunscreen use, and rest breaks can prevent serious emergencies.

Water safety is equally important. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, so water activities require constant supervision, buddy systems, and adherence to safety protocols.

 

Emergency Preparedness and Incident Command
 
Preparation is essential during emergencies. Train summer staffers on evacuation plans, severe weather procedures, medical emergencies, and communication systems before children arrive. 
 
Many schools use an incident command structure (ICS) for emergencies during the school year, which establishes clear leadership roles and responsibilities. This helps reduce confusion and ensures staff know who is making decisions and coordinating responses. Summer staff may not be familiar with this process absent explicit training.
 
Emergency training should also empower staff. Counselors may not lead the response, but they play a critical role by keeping children calm, following procedures, and communicating important information.

 

Responding to Natural Disasters
 

Summer is prime time for severe weather, including flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Staff should know what to do for the weather events most common in your area. 

During a crisis, calm leadership matters. Children look to summer program staff for reassurance, so staying composed and following established protocols helps maintain safety and order.

 
Responding to Violence or Self-Harm Concerns
 

Summer program students may experience emotional distress or display warning signs of violence or self-harm. Any threat should be taken seriously and reported immediately. 

Summer staff members are not expected to act as mental health professionals, but they should recognize warning signs, prioritize immediate safety, remain calm, and notify trained personnel quickly.

Mandatory Reporting Responsibilities
 

Many summer program staff members are mandatory reporters, meaning they are legally required to report suspected abuse, neglect, or threats to a child’s safety. Staff should understand school reporting procedures and know who to contact if concerns arise.

Mandatory reporting is about protecting children, not proving wrongdoing. Reporting concerns promptly allows trained professionals to assess situations and provide support when needed.

 

Building a Safe Camp Culture
 

A safe environment for summer programs requires moving beyond responding to emergencies. It means creating a culture where staffers feel prepared to help every participant have a positive and safe summer experience.

 

 


If you’re interested in learning more about how Joffe can help your school conduct a safety assessment and develop a plan with concrete action steps for improvement, check out the Joffe website or schedule a call to learn more.

 

NOTE: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Schools should consult their own legal counsel to evaluate specific situations.

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