We must as parents be proactive in making the camp experience as safe as we can.
CAMP ACCIDENT BLOG This page is dedicated to all the young people who have died while at camp or following an accident or incident at camp.
Parents need to be aware of the risks that exist at summer camps. Research shows that most camp accidents or incidents could have been prevented. The common thread in most of these deaths is lack of supervison. Not enough people watching and not enough experience because of the age of the counselors. Camps need to have a higher ratio of people over the age of 25 counselors to the under age 25 counselors.
Camp Wanapitei - In 2005 a fifteen year old camper drowned and died. They were on a white water canoe trip. The boy wandered away from the group and his foot got stuck between some rocks. The current was so strong it forced him under. By the time he was found, it was to late. The camp has enhanced their own supervision guidelines even though it was ruled an accident.
Boundless Adventures - In 2006 an 18 year old camper drowned and died as a result of a required deep water swim test. Timiothy Okongo jumped in and never surfaced. This accident was ruled a suicide as this individual was abusing his medication.
Camp Creek - July 13, 2008 Todd Lamar Doxey 19 died of drowning after becoming distressed trying traverse a strong current in the river. After being pulled from the river he was taken by ambulance to the hospital and pronounced dead 5 hours later.
Kiryas Camp - Joel Levy 14 died after falling from a tree. Joel had climed a large Pine tree some 30 feet from the ground. A branch broke causing him to fall to the ground.
Church Camp - Curtis Geesamen 15 of Cedervill, Ohio died after suffering a brain injury while playing in an inflatable sumo suit.
Appalacian Wilderness Camp - April 21, 2005 Travis Parker 13 died at the state run camp for troubled teenagers after being restrained face down. Travis had asthma and was denied his inhaler during the restraint. His death was ruled a homicide and six camp counselors were charged with murder.
Camp Kennedy - July 17 2006 Jeff Grey Camp Director 26 died while on an outing in Algonquin Park. A thunderstorm came through their camp site and a tree fell on Jeff's tent - he did not survive.
Camp Tamakwa - June 21, 2007 Michael Greene died following a swimming incident at Tamakwa. Michael loved Algonquin Park and the friends he made at Tamakwa.
American Camping Association - Summer 2009 - Sadly, we were informed of one death at camp this summer. It was the death of a staff member who drowned during his time off.
Camp Algonquin - November 14th 2008 three teens ages 16, 17, & 18 died as a result of drowning. Although they were instructed not to go in the water or use any of the watercraft. On the last day of this 8 day fellowship outing two teens took a paddle boat out and it sunk. The boat had the drain plug removed for the winter and the boat was not chained. A teen on shore swam out to try and rescue them and he drowned.
Camp Champions - July 30th, 2007 Ryan Dickerson 18 died as the result of a freak swimming accident. He was a certified Life Guard and played water polo. One minute he was standing in 3 1/2 feet of water and the next he was gone. Efforts to revive him failed.
Boy Scouts of America - August 2, 2002 Matthew Tresca 16 died of Cardiac Arrest after being hit by lighting. The Boy Scout leader dismissed the scouts from the mess hall to go back to their tents enlight of the fact there were Storm Warnings in the area.
Wrestling Camp - June 14, 2008 Miles Staton 16 died after a training run while at a wrestling camp in Benson Minn. While Miles had a medical condition cause of death is unknown.
American Camping Association - They post reported accidents and deaths from member camps. In 2000 there were 14 deaths, drowning was the major contributor - In 2001 3 deaths - In 2002 8 deaths, 7 campers 1 staff 6 were drownings/water related - In 2003 10 deaths 7 staff - In 2004 8 deaths 5 campers 3 staff - In 2005 8 deaths 4 staff 4 campers - 2006 ? - In 2007 6 deaths 4 staff 2 campers - In 2008 1 staff death.
Boy Scouts Of America - Bencoe, Iowa June 11, 2008 four boy scouts perished as the camp was hit by a tornado. Aaron Eilerts 14, Josh Fennen 13, Sam Thomsen 13 & Ben Pertzilka 14 all from Omaha Nebraska.
Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club - Santa Barbara Ca. August 15, 2005 Johnathan Gottesman died as a result of the carelessness and negligence of the owners, managers, lifeguards and other staff because of lack of supervision and training. Johnathan was only 4 years old. It was his first day at camp. The family filed a lawsuit and won a $16 million dollar award.