6 things Christian parents should think about to ensure summer holiday camps are fun and safe

Youth and holiday camps can be a real blessing for our children. Many of us have seen how a week away with Christian leaders and friends can spark joy, deepen faith, and help young people feel part of something bigger than themselves. As the spring approaches, you might already be planning which camp your child will attend. These events can be life-giving—especially for children who might otherwise feel lonely or bored.

it’s completely normal to feel a little anxious about handing your children over to others

But alongside the excitement, it’s completely normal to feel a little anxious about handing your children over to others. Recent news stories can heighten those feelings. The incident at a summer camp in Stathern, Leicestershire—where a 76‑year‑old volunteer admitted to 17 offences after giving children sweets laced with sedatives and abusing them—reminds us that even trusted environments can face unexpected risks. Thankfully, such cases are rare, but they highlight why good safeguarding matters so much.

With the right preparation, there is no reason to assume there will be any issues. But as a parent, it’s right that you check those preparations before sending your child to the event. You might worry you’re being awkward by asking, but you’re not, you’re being a responsible parent and any reputable organisation won’t mind you asking about their arrangements.

Here are some key things to ask about:

1. Safeguarding policy

Every camp or club should have a safeguarding policy. This is the foundation of a safe environment. It explains how children are protected, how concerns are handled, and who is responsible for what. It should also reflect current law, including the updated “Positions of Trust” legislation, which now covers sports coaches and faith leaders.

The policy will name the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You should know who this person is and how to contact them. A good camp will make this clear to you, your children, and all leaders.

2. Effective communication

Good communication builds trust. The event team should explain their safeguarding approach, tell you who to contact with concerns, and make sure your child knows who they can talk to if something feels wrong while at the camp. Information might come through emails, leaflets, or meetings. If you need it in a different format, just ask.

Parents of children with additional needs should discuss these with leaders ahead of time so everything is in place before the event begins.

Read more:

Child-on-child abuse: A Christian parent’s guide to keeping children safe

How Christian parents can teach their children about personal safety

It’s essential to know how to contact the team in the event of an emergency at home, and similarly, the team should have a process for getting in touch with you if an incident occurs on site. Make sure your phone and email address information is up to date, and give the team details of the next of kin and emergency contact information.

And finally, make sure that you understand the rules around the use of mobile phones, and speak to your child about them before they go.

3. Safer recruitment

The Stathern case shows how important it is for camps to know exactly who is working with children. Reports say the man charged was a volunteer at the camp, but he also ran the charity that provided short holiday camps for children. Good safer recruitment practices can mitigate these kinds of scenarios.

A good camp will do more than a DBS check. They will:

• Interview staff and volunteers
• Take references seriously
• Use self‑declaration forms
• Seek advice when disclosures are unclear

If you’re unsure about their process, ask the safeguarding lead. A well-run camp will be happy to explain.

By asking the right questions and looking for the right structures, you can send your child with peace of mind—knowing their joy, safety, and spiritual growth are being lovingly prioritised

4. Training for staff and volunteers

Everyone involved in running the camp should receive safeguarding training. This includes recognising signs of abuse, understanding safe working practices, and knowing how to report concerns. As a parent, is it acceptable to ask who has been trained and what training has been completed.

Ideally all adults on site would have some level of safeguarding training. If training hasn’t been planned, you might suggest resources such as the Gateway to Safeguarding course or Safeguarding for Residentials and Events from Thirtyone:eight.

5. Planning for worst case scenarios

Most camps run smoothly, and everyone has a lot of fun. But leaders should still be prepared for serious situations, such as:

• Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
• Medical emergencies
• Missing children
• Allegations or disclosures

All good camps will have risk assessments and plans for what to do should a critical incident arise. For example, in the Stathern incident, emergency services were called after children became unwell. The team didn’t attempt to deal with it themselves; they got proper help. Some incidents can escalate quickly, and leaders must know how to respond appropriately.

Before the event happens, you might want to communicate any information that could come up at camp, for example, has something recently happened in the family - a diagnosis or bereavement? Or a problem with friends or at school. Or is there a health issue or allergy the camp needs to know about? The more information you can give before the event, the better the team will be prepared to handle it on site should the need arise.

6. Practical logisic

When dealing with a large or medium-scale event, it’s easy to assume the basics are covered in their planning, but it’s always wise to check that the following arrangements are in place:

• Transport arrangements
• Insurance
• Risk assessments
• Driver suitability
• Activity safety measures

Risk assessments should cover both the site and the planned activities, as well as any transportation to and from the event.

A final word of encouragement

Despite the occasional worrying headline, holiday camps and clubs remain wonderful places for children to grow in faith, confidence, and friendship. The vast majority are run by dedicated, prayerful people who care deeply about children’s wellbeing.

By asking the right questions and looking for the right structures, you can send your child with peace of mind—knowing their joy, safety, and spiritual growth are being lovingly prioritised.