Summer Camp drowning fears (or paranoia?)

[Anonymous]

Below is a note that was emailed to Evergreen Summer Camp parents on 6/26 -- it was the first or second week of camp with swimming. Our child has told me where the counselors are and what they are doing while everyone is in the pool, as well as what a lot of the other kids are doing. I thought they had the whole pool to themselves on their morning, but there are other camps there. I'm not crazy about it, but according to kiddo they do bring extra staff, some get the pool and some stay out.

Email:
This brings me to a more serious note about the pool. We learned today that on Tuesday there was a near drowning at CB pool. This was NOT on our pool day and occurred as a result from the attending camp counselors not doing their supervisory duty while at the pool. The child was quickly rescued by one of the life guards and is in stable condition. I spoke with CB pool this afternoon and the camp that had the incident has taken a break this week from using the pool and the camp program is re-training their staff. Of course as soon as we heard this news, we wanted to let you know. To help avail your concerns I wanted to take a moment to review our pool procedures. We are doing the same with our staff this afternoon. Safety is a number 1 priority for Evergreen and CB pool.

Pool Policy: All children who do not know how to swim stay in the baby pool area which is locked. Students who have received a swim test and have passed are allowed in the larger pool area WITH AN EVERGREEN INSTRUCTOR IN THE WATER WITH THEM. This is a very important part of our protocol and children are not allowed in the larger pool area without and instructor in the water with them. In addition to the adult in the pool we have a lead teacher at the pool that is on deck and monitoring pool activity. This is in addition to the life guards at CB pool. We give out wristbands to all the campers that can use the larger pool so we can easily identify who has passed the swim test. Swim lessons and test are given in groups of 5 with two instructors, and with our lead teacher observing. Please contact me if you have any concerns or questions or suggestions.

[Anonymous]

The child who nearly drowned was 7/8 years old and did not know how to swim. My child was there that morning, but with a different camp. Our camp also received a similar note from our Director.

Yes, it is very scary how quickly these things can happen. All 3 of my kids who go to the pool for camp are not strong swimmers.We put a lot of faith in their counselors, as we do on non-pool days.

[Anonymous]

I'm a SAHM and over the years I've seen daycare/camps bring groups of kids to various places that I've taken my kids. If it makes you feel better, I have always been impressed by the level of supervision that I've seen.

I think you should ask for specifics as to how they manage the supervision at water parks.

[Anonymous]

So today, a child was pulled FROM our local pool, blue and not breathing. He was with day camp. I think he survived.
I know this thread is 5 years old, but kids are drowning at camps...it's scary.
If you search in general for camp drownings, this year there have been too many. Two at a special needs camp, as well, which is very sad and inexcusable.

[Anonymous]

I should add I have a 6 YO who is in lessons and fairly high of a level.
But I went with him to a public pool and he got scared, said it was "too deep" to swim! He clung to the side.
He could totally have panicked and drowned in a camp situation. It is NOT enough that they are good swimmers. There is a certain amount of confidence that goes with it.
I didn't send him because I know he could probably pass any swim test and then would have run of any waterparrk, and I wasn't OK with that. He wasn't ready.
Even with good swimmers, add rough play and anyone could drown. It's just a ton of responsibility to watch kids at a camp. Tons.