INSIGHT

PARENTS ASK: WILL MY CHILD BE SAFE?

SEVEN WAYS TO ANSWER THEM BEFORE THEY ASK

Safety used to be a checkbox. Now, it’s a necessity.

After COVID, parents don’t just want to know about the activities, the crafts, the adventures. They want to know: Will my child be safe?

Before you talk about learning or fun, you have to address this. You have to earn trust.

So, how do you show it?

Here are seven tips:

1. Highlight all certifications & accreditations
   
   
   • Include affiliations like OCA (The Ontario Camp Association) or local health department approvals in conversations. Prominently display these on your website and other marketing materials.
   • Share staff certifications in CPR, First Aid, Bronze Cross, lifeguard training, etc.
   • Tell them about background checks or any specialized training requirements for staff.


2. Highlight staff-to-camper ratio
   
   
   • A lower ratio equals more supervision. It’s obvious to parents that this will mean more attention per child, so mention it upfront.
   • Explain how groups are structured, and clarify specific ways in which your camp safeguards their children.


3. Talk about mental and emotional safety, too
   
   
   • Describe how your staff handles bullying, inclusion, and conflict resolution
   • Clarify any training your staff receives and ensure parents are aware of your policies with regard to bullying and inclusion.
   • Highlight any other ways you keep kids socially and emotionally safe.


4. Show, don’t just tell
   
   
   • Prominently display photos of your staff on your website and on social media.
   • Introduce your staff, and explain how they ensure kids’ safety. List titles like your Director of Health & Wellness, Food Services Manager, etc., along with their qualifications and certifications.
   • Show photos and videos of clean, well-maintained facilities, staff supervising activities, emergency drills, etc.
   • Consider offering a virtual tour or live Q&A with the camp director about safety protocols.

   Pro move? Prominently feature parent testimonials, specifically talking about how safe their child felt. See below for details on how.



5. Be transparent about emergency protocols

   Let parents know how you handle the following:

   • Allergies and medications
   • Injuries
   • Severe weather
   • Hydration and hot afternoons
   • Missing campers (even if it’s rare)
   
   

   Share your communication plan: when and how you contact parents.

6. Offer a safety FAQ or guide
   
   
   • Provide a downloadable or printable PDF that outlines all the relevant details.


7. Touch on safety repeatedly and tactfully
   
   
   • Consider adding a “safety” page or section to your website
   • Include behind-the-scenes content on safety drills, staff training, etc., in your social media.
   • Include a safety-focused update or email with all the details parents need to know.
   • Show this in all your interactions, always conscious of how significant a concern it is for parents.

ACT

USE OUR KIDS’ PLATFORM TO HIGHLIGHT OR REINFORCE THE SAFETY OF YOUR CAMP

Optimizing the information you provide families can be another critical component of your success on our platform. Let’s look at how to do some of the things above on your profile on OurKids.net and Camps.ca.

Head over to your OUR KIDS admin panel and add these elements:

• Add reviews from parents who have been specifically impressed with your camp's safety or commented on how their kids felt safe in your care. Add reviews starting here.
• Comment about safety when describing accommodation or property details. Go to accommodation & property details.
• Show photos that broadcast the safety of your staff or facilities. Our engagement with families looks at click-throughs and charts your growth. We also list pages people find you on our platform and include metrics like direct emails and calls. Share photos on our platform now.
• Add a safety-related comment to your director’s message. Your audience characteristics reveal the demographic data of people on your OUR KIDS profiles. Update your director’s message now.
• Add any safety-related news to your profile. Add to your news feed now.
• Ensure your accreditations and associations are up-to-date. Update your accreditations here.

Go to your admin panel now to update any information about your camp.

Not a member? Learn how to get started!

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