A hose game, a splash pad, and a pool visit are not interchangeable. Each needs a specific review of supervision, surfaces, access, water quality, changing, and emergency response.
For a new camp, it can be sensible to leave swimming out of the first offer. If you add it, use an approved provider and a written plan. Confirm lifeguard duties, participant assessment, group limits, changing-room support, lifejacket rules, and how camp staff remain involved.
A buddy system does not replace close adult supervision.1 Count and identify children before leaving the group area, at the water entrance, during transitions, on exit, and after changing. Use the provider's approved checks as well.
Explain that an adult's report of swimming ability is not the same as an on-site assessment. Do not assign access only from a box ticked months earlier.
Prepare a dry alternative with proper staff cover for a child who cannot or does not take part. Do not leave that child sitting alone while all staff watch the pool.
Never turn a hot-weather emergency into an unplanned swim. The cooling plan must be safe before it is needed.
Do this next: Make a separate water-activity approval card before mentioning swimming in an advertisement.
Sources for this page
- CDC, Preventing Drowning. Supervision and water-safety guidance. Not a lifeguard qualification or a camp staffing ratio. ↩