What Insurance Does Summer Camp Provide?

Does My Child Need Summer Camp Insurance?

July 4, 2023

Summer camps are an exciting way for kids to acquire life skills, learn about nature, make friends, and make memories.

When you send your child to summer camp, you are trusting the camp’s leaders to protect them. But accidents can happen, and you may be wondering if your child needs insurance while at summer camp.

Does my child need insurance at summer camp?

Your group plan, private insurance, or provincial health insurance will cover your child in most health-related circumstances they may face while away at camp, as long as it is in your home province.

The summer camp’s business insurance also covers your child. Summer camp insurance covers claims of bodily injury and property damage, so if your child is injured at summer camp or their property is damaged, the camp’s insurance would cover the costs.

When your child is at summer camp, these types of accidents will be covered by the camp’s insurance:

Injuries such as slip-and-falls
Injuries related to activities like hiking and water sports
Other injuries and illness
Injuries related to the camp’s merchandise
Damage to your child’s belongings, for example, from a fire, vandalism, or theft
Professional negligence, errors, and omissions on behalf of the camp’s owners or employees. For example, if your child is not shown how to wear a life jacket properly and has a close call in the water, the camp would be responsible for medical bills.

What if my child’s summer camp is out-of-province?

If your child’s summer camp is not in your home province, you will need to purchase travel health insurance for them. Their provincial health insurance coverage is very limited when they leave the province, so travel health insurance is needed. While the camp will still provide coverage for your child, accidents that happen on the way there or back will not be covered.

A Wyatt Dowling insurance expert can help you with the process of purchasing travel insurance for your child’s summer adventure.

How can I find out what insurance my child’s summer camp will provide?

Understanding what types of coverage a summer camp provides is important when deciding whether to send your child there.

Ask questions before sending your kid to camp

When deciding to send your child to summer camp, it is important to understand what their insurance would cover. Find the right contact and ask them about their insurance coverage.