Summer Camp drowning fears (or paranoia?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are not being ridiculous. Kids at these big camps, particularly when they are on "field trips" to water parks, are essentially on their own in terms of supervision. If a kid is a strong, independent swimmer than I wouldn't worry. If a child needs water wings to swim confidently than they should NOT be going on one of these trips under the supervision of a bunch of teens. People can tell you that you are overprotective but when it comes to water safety, this is too important not to be concerned.

If the camp goes to the NVRPA water parks, I would be concerned. We have had summer passes for the last several years and seriously almost every time a camp is there, the lifeguards save a "camp" kid. There is a camp called "Chesterbrook" that is the worst. We saw them several times at the Bull Run waterpark and once, they had 3 kids saved in about an hour. The camp workers don't even get in the pool or have on bathing suits.

I would be fine with an 8+ year old who was a strong swimmer but a 6 year old doing a camp outing at a waterpark? No way. I am not a crazy overprotective mom either, but the parks get very crowded and honestly, the ratios they bring seem crazy to me. We would see one camp counselor leading a group of 15+ kids into the pool. How can one person watch 15 swimmers? Even a super vigilant person only has one set of eyes. I think they love these outings because the kids have fun and are occupied and they basically use the lifeguards are babysitters but IMO they are not safe for younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Last summer my DC's camp went to Reston Swimming Hole every day. Apparently they had a rule (camp rule, not the waterpark) that everybody 6 and under had to wear a life vest, no matter how good swimmers they claimed to be. Not sure what they did about older kids.

[Anonymous]

ah, you guys realize this is an old thread, right? that kid is like 13 now and can probably swim.

[Anonymous]

I would also tell the counselors that she is a beginning swimmer and to please keep an extra eye on her in the water. Good information for them to have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ah, you guys realize this is an old thread, right? that kid is like 13 now and can probably swim.

Yes, but every year someone else is in the same situation. I opened the thread because this is exactly me this year and I'm grateful for all these responses. Maybe OP is no longer checking, but others are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got my child a coveted spot in a local summer camp for the first time this year. Summer camp is a vital component of my child care program since I WOHM and support my family.

The program was very highly recommended by older, more experienced moms I trust and respect. However, I have learned since standing in line at 5 AM to get one of the spots, that the camp takes the kids to various "water parks" each Friday over the summer.

The program makes statements about supervision, restricting kids to height-appropriate areas, etc. However, I am nervous.

My child will be 6 and is an OK swimmer. She has spent a LOT of time in the water with water wings. But she's not an advanced swimmer on her own.

In the past, I went on EVERY field trip my child has been on. Now, due to work circumstances, I find myself unable to attend field trips anymore, at a time when the field trips just became water-based.

I am a somewhat overprotective mother. Is it time to take a chill pill and let my child do what all the other kids do, go to summer camp and swim with teachers and life guards and trust that all will be well? I can't find any history of anyone dying through this program which has been around for a long time.

Right now I am trying to coordinate with extended family so one of us can attend each Friday. Am I being ridiculous?

Thank you!

Can't you find a SAHM or nanny to stay with your child over the summer? For what you're paying for full days of camp, you'll probably pay the same (or a bit more) if you hired summer help. Plus, your child would receive more attention.

trips to the park
trips to the pool
playing outside.
taking walks
riding a bike

I'm a teacher with two of my own. I have summer days to use b/c of my position. But we keep our nanny for those days. Maybe there's a teacher who's willing to make some extra money? a young, single teacher?

I understand your situation, but there are other avenues you can take.

[Anonymous]

Another camp child dead this summer, another last year. This is LOCAL to me and does not count the rest of the country. I would say no swimming at camp. Too many chances for a death.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another camp child dead this summer, another last year. This is LOCAL to me and does not count the rest of the country. I would say no swimming at camp. Too many chances for a death.

I haven't heard about one this summer. Where/when did it happen?

[Anonymous]

I would send the child to camp though. A babysitter isn't as much fun. Kids need camp! Mine go full days summers even though I am home. I don't want them doing screens all day. They stay active and love it! I have the baby and toddler anyway so it's not fair the older kids have to sit home just b/c it's hard (and dangerous) for us to go to outings, especially pools. You can find a camp w/o swimming if you look hard enough.

[Anonymous]

Y'all, this thread is from 2009.

[Anonymous]

I think your concern is valid, but by age 6 your child should be swimming confidently. It is a critical safety issue. I would invest in good lessons ASAP.

[Anonymous]

I put that my 7 year old is a nonswimmer (even though he can swim ok- not advanced though and he can get shaky when he's tired) and although he has complained that they won't let him go to the deep end (which he could probably do but I'm not allowing it since I'm not there) he still has fun and I feel better about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another camp child dead this summer, another last year. This is LOCAL to me and does not count the rest of the country. I would say no swimming at camp. Too many chances for a death.

I haven't heard about one this summer. Where/when did it happen?

Yes, I have not heard about a camp kid drowning this summer. Do you have a link?

This is the first year that I felt comfortable about my kids swimming at camp. My 7 year old dd swam at the water mine in reston every day for a week, then swam at claude moore in loudoun 2 times a week for 3 weeks as well as my 9 year old. It is the 3rd year my kids are on swim team, and they are strong swimmers with also strategies for when they get tired like roll over on your back and float. It is hair raising though when your kid is younger and not a confident swimmer.

[Anonymous]

I don't think you're being overprotective. It makes you uncomfortable, and that is fine. I still stay with my 8 year old for pool parties, even if there are lifeguards present. I would never let him go to a camp where swimming was involved. It freaks me out, and I would be spending the whole day wondering if some 20 year old camp counselor lost track of him while trying to supervise 5-6 kids per counselor at a big water park.

[Anonymous]

Make sure your kid can swim. Soon. Get him/her lessons. This isn't something you need to have on your list of stressors. It's a required life skill to not drown. Also ur child is 6. Trust him more.