Pools are being reopened. Docks are going back into the water. Lifeguard training for new aquatics staff is being scheduled, with some classes beginning by the end of the month. As your team works to bring the aquatics area back to life, now is the perfect time to assess your setup and equipment to ensure your staff is prepared for the summer season ahead. Are Your Lifeguards Rescue Ready?

As National Child Abuse Awareness Month comes to a close for 2026, it doesn’t mean our focus on prevention should end. As camps and summer programs prepare to open their doors (or gates) to children and teens in just a few weeks, this work should remain top of mind.

Recently, the Chalmers Team had the opportunity to host Meredith Bunnel, Director of Research & Strategic Engagement at Praesidium, for a webinar focused on what the latest research tells us about abuse prevention in youth serving organizations—and what that means for camps and programs as we prepare for another summer. This week’s blog provides a summary of this webinar with Meredith, as she…

Each summer, camp professionals encounter situations that raise difficult questions: a concerning disclosure, a staff report that feels “off,” or behavior between campers that seems to cross a line. In Bunkmates and Boundaries: Understanding the Dynamics of Peer‑to‑Peer Behaviors at Camp, Chalmers Senior Risk Consultant, Katie Johnson, highlights just how complex sexual behavior between…

Camps work hard to create environments that are welcoming, supportive, and safe for everyone who visits. From program design to staff training, safety is the foundation that allows a camp to deliver on their mission. One important part of this work is reviewing who has access to camp property and ensuring consistent screening practices are in place.  

After more than ten years serving as a risk consultant for youth‑serving programs combined with 20+ years in youth development, I’ve had countless conversations with camp leaders about every kind of situation imaginable. Whether discussing an incident that happened on-site or exploring ways to strengthen risk management practices, the goal is always the same: protecting the people, the program…