10 Ways to Protect Your Child While They’re Out on Their Own (Camps, Field Trips, and Beyond)

The recent Texas camp flooding has shaken many parents to the core, reminding us that emergencies can strike anytime, anywhere. It’s hard enough letting your child leave the safety of your care for summer camps, field trips, sports tournaments, youth conferences, and day programs—but when natural disasters or other emergencies happen, the fear can feel paralyzing.

Yet your child needs adventure, learning, and the confidence that comes from stepping out on their own. The key is to prepare, protect, and empower them while maintaining connection even when you’re not there.

This comprehensive guide will give you 10 practical, actionable ways to protect your child while they’re out on their own, from vetting camps to equipping them with communication devices—even for the youngest child—so you can ensure their safety without hovering over their every move.

1️⃣ Vet Camps, Schools, and Field Trip Providers Thoroughly

Before signing any permission slip or registration form:

✅ Check Licensing and Accreditation: Is the camp or program licensed by your state? Are field trip destinations accredited and insured? For overnight camps, look for ACA (American Camp Association) accreditation, which requires strict safety standards.

✅ Research Online: Look up recent news articles, local Facebook groups, or community pages to see if there have been incidents of concern.

✅ Ask About Emergency Preparedness: Does the camp have flood evacuation plans, severe weather shelters, medical staff on-site, and up-to-date emergency contact protocols?

✅ Review Staff Training: Are staff CPR-certified? Have they been trained in emergency evacuations? What is the staff-to-child ratio?

2️⃣ Visit and Volunteer When Possible

If you can, visit the camp or field trip location ahead of time. This allows you to:

✅ Check for safety hazards like unsecured pools, flood-prone areas, or poor fencing.

✅ Meet staff and assess how they interact with children.

✅ Volunteer to attend as a chaperone on field trips, especially if your child is young, anxious, or has medical needs.

✅ For sports tournaments and youth events, consider volunteering at check-in tables or snack booths to be present without hovering.

3️⃣ Know Who’s in Charge: Meet Staff and Chaperones

It’s not enough to know the organization’s name—know the people caring for your child:

✅ Meet teachers, camp counselors, coaches, and field trip chaperones beforehand.

✅ Ask if they have undergone background checks and what their supervision policies are.

✅ Get direct phone numbers for the main contact during the trip or camp.

✅ Confirm who administers medications, handles allergies, and monitors safety during water activities or hikes.

4️⃣ Review Emergency Plans with Your Child

Even young children can understand basic safety plans when explained calmly:

✅ What to Do if They Get Separated: Have them stay in place or go to a designated “safe adult” (a teacher, camp counselor, or uniformed official).

✅ What to Do in Severe Weather: Teach them to listen to instructions, move to higher ground during floods, or shelter during storms.

✅ How to Contact You: Ensure they know your phone number, address, and a backup contact like a grandparent.

✅ Emergency Identification: Consider having your child wear a waterproof ID bracelet with your contact information.

5️⃣ Teach Situational Awareness Without Fear

Empower your child to be observant without instilling fear:

✅ Teach them to stay aware of exits and adults around them.

✅ Encourage them to speak up if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.

✅ Use age-appropriate discussions about “stranger danger,” emphasizing that most adults do not need help from children.

✅ Encourage group travel during trips and buddy systems at camp.

6️⃣ Pack Smart Safety Gear

While your child doesn’t need a survival kit, packing a few essentials can keep them prepared:

✅ A small backpack with water, snacks, and a rain poncho.

✅ A whistle they can blow if they feel threatened or lost.

✅ A small flashlight for power outages at overnight camps.

✅ Medications clearly labeled with dosage instructions.

✅ Extra clothes in case of unexpected weather changes.

✅ Sunscreen and insect repellent for outdoor activities.

7️⃣ Establish and Reinforce Rules Before They Go

✅ Stay with the Group: Emphasize that your child should not wander off, even if they want to see something interesting.

✅ Check-In Times: For older children with phones, agree on check-in times via call or text.

✅ Bathroom Safety: Remind your child to use the buddy system for bathroom breaks during trips.

✅ Speak Up: Let them know it’s okay to tell an adult if they feel sick, scared, or see something unsafe.

8️⃣ Monitor Weather and Local Conditions

The Texas flooding showed how quickly weather can turn dangerous. Before your child heads to camp or a field trip:

✅ Check the local weather forecast for the area they’re visiting.

✅ Use weather alert apps (NOAA, FEMA, or local alerts) to track severe weather.

✅ Ask camps about their flood, storm, or wildfire evacuation plans.

✅ If severe weather is predicted, communicate with the camp or school about potential delays or cancellations.

9️⃣ Provide a Communication Device, Even for Young Children

One of the biggest challenges during emergencies is not knowing if your child is safe. Thankfully, safe, age-appropriate communication devices exist:

✅ GPS Watches with Call Functionality: Brands like GizmoWatch, AngelSense, or TickTalk allow you to call your child and track their location while restricting calls from strangers.

✅ Simple Phones: For older children, consider a basic phone with call and text capabilities (without internet or social media distractions).

✅ Location Tags: For very young children, consider attaching a GPS tag to their backpack or shoe (AirTags, Jiobit) to track their location during trips.

✅ Establish Use Rules: Teach your child when and how to call you, and explain it’s for emergencies or check-ins, not casual chatting during activities.

✅ Test Devices: Practice using the device at home to build your child’s confidence in using it if needed.

1️⃣0️⃣ Trust, But Verify: Stay Connected

✅ Communicate with Staff: During the camp or field trip, don’t hesitate to check in. Many camps offer parent portals or periodic updates.

✅ Ask for Photos: Many programs send photos to parents to show what activities are happening.

✅ Debrief Your Child: After the trip or camp, ask open-ended questions:

• What did you enjoy most?

• Did anything feel scary or confusing?

• Was there a moment you felt unsafe?

✅ Stay Calm: Remember, the goal is to empower your child and teach them to handle new environments confidently while ensuring you can intervene if something goes wrong.

Where Kids Go (And Why It Matters) 🌎

These principles apply to many places your child may go without you:

• Summer camps and overnight camps

• School field trips to zoos, museums, or amusement parks

• Sports tournaments and competitions

• Youth conferences or church camps

• Day programs like STEM camps or art workshops

• Neighborhood playdates where you aren’t present

In each of these situations, your preparation helps protect your child while building their confidence and independence.

Freedom with Safety First 🛡️

We can’t control the weather, accidents, or emergencies, but we can control how prepared our children are when they leave our care. By vetting camps, ensuring clear communication channels, teaching awareness, and providing age-appropriate safety devices, you equip your child for confidence and safety.

The Texas camp flooding is a painful reminder, but it can also motivate us to take steps now to protect our kids while giving them the freedom to explore, learn, and grow.

Your child deserves adventure, laughter, and memories made at camps and field trips—and you deserve peace of mind knowing you’ve done everything you can to keep them safe.

🛡️ Parent Safety Checklist Before Sending Your Child to Camp or Field Trips

✅ Check camp/school licensing and insurance

Confirm they are licensed, accredited, insured, and prepared for emergencies.

✅ Visit the location or volunteer to chaperone Check facilities, meet staff, and volunteer to attend if possible.

✅ Meet staff and confirm background checks Get to know the adults supervising your child, ensuring they have clearances and training.

✅ Review emergency plans with your child Teach what to do if separated, during severe weather, or if they feel unsafe.

✅ Pack essentials Water, snacks, ID bracelet with your contact info, whistle, small flashlight, medications, sunscreen, rain poncho.

✅ Teach situational awareness Discuss staying with the group, recognizing safe adults, and speaking up if uncomfortable.

✅ Monitor weather before and during Use weather alert apps and know evacuation plans for floods, fires, or storms.

✅ Provide a communication device Consider a GPS-enabled watch or child-safe phone so your child can contact you directly if needed.

✅ Attach a GPS tracking tag Place a discreet AirTag, Tile, or Jiobit in your child’s backpack, shoe, or pocket for location tracking during trips and camp.

✅ Reinforce safety rules and stay connected Set check-in times, and after the event, debrief with your child to discuss their experience.