Injury among children attending US summer camps, 2006-07

Eleven million United States children attend summer camp annually. Although summer camps stimulate social and physical growth, injuries can negatively affect the camper's experience. The ongoing Healthy Camp Study, the largest camp health study to date, collected exposure and injury-related data during summers 2006-2007 via RIO^TM (Reporting Information Online). Campers at participating camps sustained 780 injuries during 1,813,620 camp-days (4.30 injuries per 10,000 camp-days). Camper injury rates were higher at resident camps compared to day camps (RR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.59-2.25). The most common diagnoses were sprains (19.0%), bruises/contusions (15.8%), wounds (15.7%), and fractures (15.2%). Specifically, the most frequent injuries were ankle sprains (7.8%), blows to the head (6.5%), finger fractures (3.6%), finger sprains (3.3%), knee sprains (2.5%), lower arm fractures (2.4%), and knee wounds (2.1%). Common injury mechanisms were trips/falls (38.5%) and being hit (15.9%). Although almost half of all injuries restricted normal activities <8 hours (46.5%), 10.1% were serious enough to cause the camper to leave camp. Serious injuries occurred most frequently during participation in a sport/game (31.1%) or recreational activity (18.9%). Several were related to horses (6.8%). Protective equipment was not being worn in 40.0% of applicable serious injury events and training had not been received in 15.6%. Compared to less-serious injuries, serious injuries occurred more frequently among males (IPR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.16-2.72). This research can help camps identify injury-related risk factors and implement targeted preventive interventions. Examples include ensuring campers always wear applicable protective equipment and receive adequate training prior to participation in a high-risk activity.