Every year there are reports of children that do not make the journey home after summer camp. The majority of deaths are from drowning, which should not be a surprise. According to the Center for Disease Control, drowning is the 2nd largest killer of children ages 1-14, averaging 2 deaths per day for children in this age group. Summer camps often include swimming activities, which always can have a risk of drowning. Children dying at summer camp June 15, 2012, a four-year old boy drowns in a swimming pool while at a summer camp outing in Glenview, IL. There were 15 lifeguards on duty and 8 camp counselors with the group of 19 children. July 20, 2011, a 15-year old boy drowns while participating in a lake swim at a summer camp near Decatur, MI. The boys were swimming well after dark in a poor lit area. June 18, 2011,… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Summer Camp Accidents
Subscribe to Summer Camp Accidents RSS FeedAs The Swimming Pool Season Winds Down, We Must Remain Dilligent Supervising Children
Posted in Summer Camp Accidents, Swimming Pool DrowningsAs a life-long swimmer (age-group, high school, college and masters), the sight of a swimming pool has been a calming source in my life– both from an athletic and recreational point of view. Perhaps because swimming has been such an important part of my life, I was really moved by some of the news stories regarding the increased dangers facing minorities around swimming pools. Drowning risk for children is very real When I read a Chicago Tribune article, “What looks like playing might be drowning”, I was reminded of the safety implications related to the risk of drowning facing children. The article is a real wake-up call and impressed me with how most drowning occurrences have very little of the “Hollywood” crying and thrashing for help scenarios. In fact, when most drownings involve little warning to lifeguards or parents who are supervising. Rather, most drownings provide little advance warning as… Continue Reading