The Risks of Summer

Even though we are well into the summer season, camps and youth recreation programs are still re-evaluating their insurance needs to prepare for known and unanticipated risks. Those involved in the claims process for both camps and insurance carriers should be aware of the most pressing issues these organizations are facing this season. Following are some of the top risks, and steps that can be taken to manage them. 

Esports on the Rise

Esports are becoming more popular—and more of a security risk. Esports, also known as electronic sports, refer to multiplayer video games in which players compete with each other.

Camps engaged in this activity can protect themselves by: 

• Keeping their software up to date. Not only should camps ensure they have the latest version of all apps, but also, if they allow campers to use personal devices, camps should have a system in place to check those, too.
• Allowing system access only to those who have been approved. Camps should not post their Wi-Fi password in public. Campers should be strictly supervised when they are on the organization’s network.
• Encouraging staff to create strong passwords for their accounts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has said passwords that use birthdates or street addresses are susceptible to dictionary attacks that attempt to crack passwords based on common words or phrases.
• Logging out of apps and websites when finished. It’s unrealistic to expect that youth campers will remember to log themselves off, so their supervisors should be checking.
• Finding a security vendor. There are many companies that offer data protection technologies.
• Developing a written policy. Camps’ policies regarding cybersecurity should detail who has access to the network, when someone has access, who will be supervising campers and attendees while they’re online, and how the rules are enforced.
• Conducting criminal background checks. Camps should perform thorough background checks on every person who works with their organizations, both staff members and volunteers.

Climate Risks

Climate change has been leading to more catastrophes. If it feels like we are seeing more news reports about wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, that is because we are. We continue to see claims related to those types of disasters as well as hail in certain parts of the country.

The implications for camps are obvious: Any organization that runs most of its programs outdoors needs to be prepared for worst-case scenarios, have an evacuation plan, and review what specific catastrophe-related coverages would be appropriate.

Mental Health and Physical Injuries

More camps are bringing on staff and volunteers to manage a growing mental-health crisis among campers. Those who run camps are expressing frustration about how difficult these first few weeks of camp have been. We have heard about staff members feeling harassed or undermined by campers. As a result, some camps are bringing on social workers, therapists, and psychologists—all of whom play an important role in the emotional health of campers and staff, but also may create additional liability for the camp. Camps should be looking at their insurance policies to make sure they are covered for such additions. In the case of a claim, camps should have a designated person to work with the claim adjuster providing any necessary information. 

Sports-related injuries also continue to increase. Fortunately, organizations that offer recreational activities are much more cognizant of how devastating a concussion can be. Unfortunately, that does not stop concussions from occurring. Concussions can happen to anyone and at any time—from a camper who is playing a game of Capture the Flag to a child who collides with a person or object while running from one cabin to another. Camps should ensure they have appropriate medical coverage for their participants.

Sexual Abuse

We have seen claims relating to sexual abuse accusations at camps and outdoor recreation programs, and those claims can be either adult-child abuse or child-child abuse. Camps are responsible for screening, training, and performing a criminal background check on both staff members and volunteers before allowing them to have contact with children. But there are plenty of sexual abuse incidents that are not criminally prosecuted, which means that a criminal background check should not be camps’ only method of screening candidates. They should take other steps, including:

• Asking open-ended questions on the application to give you an idea of the person’s character.
• Asking each applicant to list two or three references on the application.
• Interviewing candidates with questions to help understand their defining traits and why they want to work at your camp.
• Offering a thorough training program before staff members or volunteers start performing any duties. 

Finally, camps should regularly check and update their property value. Just as many homeowners are learning their properties are worth much more than they expected, so, too, are camps. Building material costs have increased due to inflation, so a property could be worth significantly more than what it was originally insured for. If a camp were to submit a claim, it could be underinsured.

Managing risk and claims is a constant process. Understanding the risks facing summer camps and youth programs now is a key step in preventing and managing claims later.