Understanding Bullying Within the

Camp Setting: Tips for Parents

What is bullying?

Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional 

and that involves an imbalance of power or strength.

Often, it is repeated over time. Bullying can take

many forms, such as hitting, kicking, or shoving

(physical bullying), teasing or name-calling (verbal

bullying), intimidation using gestures or social

exclusion (nonverbal bullying or emotional bullying),

and sending insulting messages by text messaging 

or e-mail (cyberbullying).

Bullying in the camp setting

Camp is similar to school and other settings in which

children and youth gather—in that bullying does

occur. Children engaging in new activities, meeting

new friends, establishing varying social groups at

camp, and sharing living quarters with other campers

present challenges to even the most well-adjusted

child. The good news is that camps are well-prepared

to address bullying and help children who bully deal

with counterproductive behavior, too. Proven

supervisory practices, activities geared to the

developmental level of individual children, and the

promotion of a spirit of inclusivity and caring help

children to exert higher degrees of cooperation and

self-control. 

What are the harmful effects of bullying?

Bullying is not a normal part of growing up. Simply

put, bullying hurts and children can experience both

short- and long-term emotional consequences when

they are victims of bullying. Camp staff members 

are trained to recognize both the overt and subtle

signs that a child may have experienced bullying.

Parents also may be the first to notice these shifts 

in behavior. 

Warning signs may include

• Feelings of unhappiness, loneliness, anxiety, 

and fear;

• Sense of insecurity, both physical and psychological;

• Withdrawal from friends and caring adults;

• Reluctance to join in activities and fun; and

• Physical complaints including stomachaches,

nightmares, and loss of appetite.

How can parents find out about camp

policies on bullying? 

Informed parents are best prepared to select a 

camp that meets their standards for staff, programs,

and safety. 

Ask challenging questions of the camp director, such as

• What is his or her understanding of bullying?

• What procedures are in place to address 

bullying situations?

• Will parents be informed if a bullying incident

occurs?

• How are staff members trained to recognize 

and intervene in bullying situations?

• What proactive efforts do staff members employ to

prevent bullying from occurring?

• Does the camp have specific rules about bullying?

• How are campers instructed to recognize and deal

with bullying?

• How are campers supervised between activities?

• Will the camp provide names of other parents prior

to camp to ask about their child’s experiences with

bullying at camp and the responsiveness of staff?
These and other materials are available online at: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

• Is your child’s camp accredited by the American

Camp Association? If so, parents are assured that

the camp has committed time, resources, and

training to meet or exceed over 300 research-based

standards ranging from health and wellness to

physical safety. 

How can I help my child deal with bullying? 

Before camp begins 

• Discuss bullying with your child—what it is, why it 

is unacceptable, and what your child’s response to

bullying should be.

• Tell your child that you expect him or her to help a

child who is being bullied or excluded.

• Encourage your child to talk to camp staff if he or

she sees or experiences bullying. Children need

support from responsible adults to address

bullying.

• Establish clear expectations about respecting

others and gaining respect.

• Follow through with a consistent set of rules and

consequences.

• Spend time with your child in enjoyable activities.

Once camp begins

• Listen and communicate regularly once your child

is at camp. Ask your child about friendships that he

or she has made and about concerns that your child

has about interactions with other campers. 

• Reinforce positive behavior with specific praise such

as, “Your counselor told me you controlled your

temper when another child pushed you. That really

helped the other campers not to get into a fight.”

What can I do if my child is bullied?

• Support your child. Bullying is not the fault of the

child being bullied.

• Gather information about the incident. Ask who,

what, when, where, and how?

• Praise your child for the attempts he or she has

likely made to resolve the situation.

• Talk with the camp director about consequences for

the child being bullied and about increased

support from other campers and staff for your child.

• Help your child understand that real friends are not

mean to each other.

What if my child bullies?

• Try to get a full understanding of what happened.

• Ask yourself whether there have been any recent

changes or negative events in your child’s life.

• Discuss consequences of bullying with the camp

director regarding specific episodes and the

response from camp staff.

• Reinforce your rule that bullying must stop.

• Help your child understand how bullying 

affects others.

• Cooperate with the camp director and staff to

reinforce positive behaviors in your child.

Resources

Coleman, M. (2005). ‘Don’t Laugh at Me’ Coming to Camps. Camping Magazine, May/June. Retrieved August 10, 2005, from

http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/0005.php.

Dellasega, C. (2005). Camp Ophelia: A Relationship Camp for Middle School Girls. Camping Magazine, March/April, 32-37.

Schiering, J. A. (2005). Bullying prevention taken to new heights at camp Sewataro. Camping Magazine, March/April, 38-41.