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Chapter 20 of 30 · 1 min read

Family Camp Water and Outdoor Play Supervision

State when water and play areas are open, who supervises and which rules apply. Keep caregiver responsibility separate from any staffed activity. Check each setting and service so the presence of parents does not leave gaps in supervision.

Pools, lakes, playgrounds, and open grounds can create confusion at family camps. State when they are open, who supervises, and what rules apply.

For water activities, use qualified staff, approved facilities, suitable equipment, and the required procedures. A parent's presence or a lifeguard does not remove the need for active, clearly assigned supervision.1

Do not treat a nearby lake as unscheduled recreation. Close access when the approved activity is not operating if that is part of the site plan, and communicate boundaries clearly.

For family-led play, caregivers need to understand their role. Staff still must maintain the site and respond appropriately to known hazards; a disclaimer is not maintenance.

Check shared equipment for age suitability and condition. A teen's tool or sports item may not be suitable for a toddler playing nearby.

For off-site or technical activities, use the relevant specialist guide and provider plan. Family camp is not an exemption from activity requirements.

Your task: Label each play and water area with its operating mode, hours, rules, and responsible contact.

Sources for this page

  1. CDC, Preventing Drowning. Supervision and water-safety guidance. Not a lifeguard qualification or a camp staffing ratio. ↩

Put this chapter to work

Optional · Putting your plan into practice

Using Bookify for this goal

This part starts with your own planning and judgement. Use the guide and its worksheets to work through it with your team.

When you are ready to put your camp plan into a booking system, you can explore a sample camp in Bookify or see what the software can help you do.