How Camps Contend with Fires and Keep Kids Safe

Summer camp is a quintessential experience for many children, offering a chance to explore the outdoors, build friendships, and learn life skills. However, in recent years, the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires have added a layer of complexity for camp operators. Ensuring the safety of campers while maintaining an engaging and fun environment is a top priority, and camps are rising to the challenge with meticulous planning and proactive strategies.

Comprehensive Emergency Planning

Many camps operate in rural or forested areas, making wildfire preparedness a critical part of their safety protocols. Camps develop detailed emergency plans tailored to their specific locations and risks. These plans often include:

1. Evacuation Routes: Camps establish multiple evacuation routes and ensure staff are familiar with them. They may also collaborate with local fire departments to identify the safest paths out of the campgrounds.
2. Emergency Shelters: In some cases, camps designate safe areas—like hardened buildings, nearby community centers, or cleared zones—where campers can shelter in place if evacuation is not immediately possible.
3. Fire Drills: Just as schools conduct fire drills, camps run regular practice drills to familiarize staff and campers with evacuation procedures.
4. Emergency Supplies: Camps stock supplies such as first aid kits, masks to filter out smoke, emergency food and water, and communication devices to ensure readiness during a wildfire.

Real-Time Monitoring and Communication

Advances in technology have made wildfire monitoring more efficient. Many camps use real-time weather and fire tracking systems to stay informed about potential threats. Local authorities and fire departments often issue alerts, and camps integrate these updates into their decision-making processes.
​
Additionally, maintaining clear communication with parents is crucial. Many camps provide regular updates through email, text messages, or dedicated apps, ensuring parents are informed about their child's safety and any evolving situations.

Collaboration with Athorities 

Camps often work closely with local fire departments, forest services, and emergency management agencies to develop and refine their wildfire response plans. These partnerships provide camps with valuable resources, such as:
​

• Expert guidance on fire prevention measures
• Updates on fire conditions
• Assistance with evacuations, if needed

Camps in fire-prone areas may also undergo inspections by fire safety officials to ensure their facilities and protocols meet stringent safety standards.

Preventive Measures

Prevention is a cornerstone of wildfire safety. Camps implement strategies to reduce fire risks, including:

• Firebreaks: Clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks around campgrounds to slow or stop the spread of fire.
• No-Campfire Policies: In high-risk areas or during fire season, camps may restrict or ban campfires and other open flames.
• Fire-Resistant Structures: Building cabins and facilities with fire-resistant materials to minimize damage in case of a fire.
• Routine Inspections: Regularly inspecting the grounds for potential fire hazards, such as dry brush or overhanging branches.

Staff Training Measures

Staff training is a critical component of wildfire safety. Counselors and other camp employees are trained to:

• Recognize early signs of a wildfire.
• Use firefighting equipment, such as fire extinguishers and hoses.
• Lead campers during evacuations or shelter-in-place scenarios.

Many camps also teach campers basic fire safety rules, fostering a culture of awareness and preparedness

Learning Opportunities for Campers

While safety remains the priority, camps often turn challenges into educational opportunities. Programs about fire ecology, forest management, and emergency preparedness can help campers understand the broader context of wildfires. These lessons may inspire children to become more environmentally conscious and safety-aware.

Post-Fire Recovery

If a camp is affected by a wildfire, the recovery process involves both physical and emotional components. Camps work to rebuild infrastructure and replant damaged areas, often involving campers and their families in the process to foster a sense of community and resilience.

​On the emotional side, camps may provide counseling or activities to help children process any fears or anxieties related to the experience.

Resources

For additional information and important resources regarding wildfires at camp, please visit the American Camp Assocation's website.

A Commitment to Safety

Camps are beloved spaces where children create lifelong memories, and keeping those memories safe from harm is a responsibility that camp operators take seriously. By planning ahead, leveraging technology, and fostering collaboration, camps are able to mitigate wildfire risks and ensure that their campers continue to thrive in the great outdoors.

For parents, knowing that their child's camp is prepared for emergencies brings peace of mind. While the risks of wildfires may be growing, so too are the strategies to keep everyone safe and protected.