How to Keep Your Athlete Safe During Summer Sports Camps

Each summer, millions of youth head to summer camp for an enriching experience. And while most camps include some form of physical activity, dedicated sports camps are a highlight of the year for many athletes. 

It’s natural to have concerns about your child’s safety during summer sports camp. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to up their odds of an injury-free experience.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill provide everything from conservative care to complex spinal surgeries for athletes.

If a young person in your life is headed to summer sports camp, read on to learn a few smart ways to keep them safe and healthy.

Schedule a sports physical beforehand

Most athletic camps require sports physicals prior to attending, and for good reason. The special exams help ensure that your child is healthy enough to safely participate in camp activities. 

Sports physicals check a range of factors, such as your child’s vitals, respiration, joint health, and flexibility. Your provider can detect or assess ongoing treatment for conditions that may make your child more vulnerable to injuries or accidents, too, such as arthritis or asthma.

Provide the right equipment

While most summer sports camps provide certain equipment, such as balls, your athlete should come prepared with quality personal gear. Supportive (gently worn-in) athletic shoes, for example, can help guard against injuries, such as back muscle sprains, disc herniation, and fractures. 

Other items that promote athlete safety include a sizable water bottle, padding, helmets or any needed braces, and healthy snacks.

Find out who’s in charge of medical care

The ideal summer sports camp maintains an on-staff medical professional, such as a qualified athletic trainer, who’ll keep an eye out for injuries and illness among attendees.

If your child has special orthopedic needs, our team will gladly communicate with the medical provider at camp with your permission.

Address any injuries promptly

All sport activities bring some risk of injury, no matter how much you prepare. If an injury should happen, a prompt medical assessment and treatment can help ensure that your child heals well and avoids complications, such as chronic back or neck pain.

Before camp, it may help to talk with your athlete about signs that it’s time to seek medical support, such as increasing, severe, or sudden pain.

To learn more about sports camp safety or get professional support as you plan, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.