May is Water Safety Awareness Month but if your camp has a pool or a waterfront, water safety isn’t just a one-month thing. It’s an everyday responsibility. And while swim safety often takes center stage, boating safety deserves just as much attention.
A common assumption is that if everyone’s wearing a PFD, they’re automatically safe. PFDs are essential but they’re not a magic life raft. Strong boating programs stay afloat because they rely on multiple layers of safety, not just one piece of gear.
For most camps, boating takes place on flat water—ponds or lakes with generally calm conditions. Some programs branch out into whitewater rafting, canoe trips, or ocean kayaking, but the majority are navigating familiar waters close to home. No matter where or how your camp boats, good risk management means setting clear boundaries and sticking to them.
Stick to the Plan: When boating incidents happen, they often trace back to someone going “outside the lines.” Maybe it’s paddling farther than allowed, heading out at the wrong time, or trying an activity that wasn’t approved. Even late in the summer—when campers feel confident—it’s important not to drift from the plan. You can keep things fun and fresh without leaving the channel.
The Right Leader for the Program: Qualified boating instructors can be hard to find, but having the right person at the helm matters. Requirements often vary based on the type of boat, and skills don’t always carry over—driving a motorboat is very different from instructing sailing or paddling. Before campers head out, instructors should have the required qualifications and clearly demonstrate competencies specific to the activity.
Match Swim Skills to Boating: If a camper can’t pass the swim test, what boating activities are still appropriate for them? Every camp has to chart its own course here, based on staffing and supervision. If non-swimmers are allowed in canoes or on skis, extra precautions should already be built in—before anyone ends up in deep water.
Practice Boating Rescues: Emergency drills shouldn’t stop at the swim dock. Boating staff should practice scenarios like swamped canoes, kayaks battling wind, sailboats stuck on sandbars, or skiers who can’t get back in the boat. Rehearsing these situations helps staff stay calm and confident when something real happens.
PFDs Matter—But Fit Matters More: Everyone on a boat should be wearing a PFD (lifeguards may be the exception). But a loose, unbuckled, or poorly fitted life jacket won’t help much when it counts. Taking time to check fit is an easy way to strengthen your safety net.
Watch the Weather: Check the forecast before heading out. Conditions can change quickly. If groups are boating out of sight of camp, make sure communication is in place so everyone stays connected if plans need to shift.
Know the Rules: Especially when sharing water with the public, staff should know local boating rules, speed limits, boundaries, and quiet hours. Following them helps everyone avoid close calls.
Wishing everyone a fun, successful, and uneventful boating season this summer at camp!