There’s something special about watching kids race onto a field, full of excitement, cheeks flushed, smiles wide, hair flying. We all know that youth sports are about so much more than just the game. They’re about fun, friendships, growth and building confidence.
Along with all the enjoyment and growth, there’s an important responsibility we don’t always talk about — keeping kids safe. And when we say “safe,” it’s not just about preventing broken bones (though that’s part of it).
As a VP of safety and operations at US Sports Camps, I’ve learned that keeping children safe takes more than good intentions. It’s a mix of using real-time data to see what’s happening on the ground, drawing on years of hands-on experience and listening closely to feedback from our directors, coaches and parents. Each of these pieces helps us spot potential issues before they become problems and allows us to focus on what’s working well so we can keep building on it.
Proactive safety measures
We take an “on the offense” approach to safety. Sports camps are busy, high-energy spaces, and we know that keeping kids safe means being ready for anything. That’s why we’ve created simple, easy-to-use guides and templates to help our camp directors handle a variety of situations — from extreme heat and poor air quality to emergency scenarios like active shooters. These tools give our leaders the confidence to respond quickly and effectively so they can stay focused on what matters most: running a great camp.
But being safe isn’t just about preparing for what might go wrong — it’s also about laying the groundwork for an awesome camp experience. Take our overnight camps, for example. After learning from some of our experienced overnight directors, we put together an Overnight Camp Checklist of real-life, practical tips to help directors create a safe and smooth experience. Whether setting up dorms, managing downtime or keeping kids engaged between drills, it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference in preventing problems and making camp a place kids love to be.
Real-time data to drive safety and success
While we work hard to prepare for anything that might happen, we also pay close attention to what’s happening right now. Incident reports help us track what’s going on by location, type of issue and age group so we can quickly spot patterns and respond. For example, last summer, we noticed a spike in issues during downtime in one particular sport. After digging into the data, we realized many of these incidents were happening during breaks. So, we moved fast. We reached out to camp directors and helped them adjust their schedules to include more structured supervision and fun, low-key activities like goal journaling. The result? Just one incident for the rest of the summer.
At the end of every season, we review detailed feedback from both parents and camp teams to understand what went well and where we can improve. These end-of-season (EOS) reviews give us a clear picture of trends across all our camps and spark real conversations with our sports leaders about what’s working and what needs more focus.
Leadership matters
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that a safe, successful camp starts with great leadership. A strong camp director sets the tone — creating an environment where kids feel safe, supported and excited to be there. You can have all the right tools and resources, but without the right leader to bring them to life, it’s hard to create that kind of experience.
Part of great leadership is also knowing how to structure camp in a way that sets every child up for success. A huge component is ensuring kids are grouped appropriately by age and skill level — especially in contact sports. It’s not just about fairness, but also about preventing injuries and making sure kids feel confident. A 6-year-old who’s just starting out shouldn’t be on the same field as a seasoned 12-year-old. When we get this right, kids are more likely to have fun, build skills and want to keep coming back.
And here’s something we all need to say louder — kids do not need to specialize in one sport early to succeed. In fact, playing multiple sports is one of the best ways to protect them from overuse injuries, burnout and mental fatigue. Giving kids the freedom to try new sports, move their bodies in different ways and discover what they truly love helps them grow as athletes and supports their overall health and happiness. The best camp directors and coaches understand that youth sports should be about exploration, learning, and fun — not pressure to perform or specialize too soon.
The power of emotional safety
While we often focus on physical safety, emotional safety is just as important. How you speak to kids, how you handle mistakes, how you celebrate effort — these things matter. Your words can lift kids up or shut them down. Our goal is to create spaces where kids feel encouraged to try, fail and try again — without fear of embarrassment or criticism.
Because when kids feel safe — physically and emotionally — they play better, learn more, and most importantly, they want to keep coming back. And that’s our ultimate goal: not just one good season, but a lifetime love of being active and healthy. Because happy, confident kids grow into happy, confident adults. And isn’t that what we all want?
Mark Hurrie is vice president of safety and operations at US Sports Camps.
