When you drop your child off at summer camp, you’re placing trust in the people and programs tasked with keeping them safe. Whether it’s an art camp at a local community center or an all-day program run through a public school, parents expect that reasonable precautions are in place. Unfortunately, accidents still happen—and in some cases, serious injuries follow. In South Jersey, questions of liability after a camp-related injury depend on where the camp is held, who runs it, and how safety protocols are managed.

Liability doesn’t fall neatly into one category. It shifts based on whether the camp is private or public, indoors or outdoors, and whether you signed a waiver at registration. These details can significantly determine who may be held legally and financially responsible after an incident.

Private Camps at Arts and Enrichment Centers

Many families in Moorestown and the surrounding areas choose private camps run through organizations like the Perkins Center for the Arts, Creme de la Creme, or other local centers and private schools. These programs offer small-group settings for art, music, drama, and STEM activities. While the atmosphere tends to be low-key, safety risks still exist—particularly when sharp tools, electrical equipment, or unsupervised free time are involved.

Private organizations have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment. That includes proper staff-to-child ratios, background checks on employees, clear emergency protocols, and appropriate safety measures tied to the activities offered. If a child is injured due to broken equipment, lack of supervision, or failure to act quickly in a medical situation, the camp can be held liable—despite any waiver parents may have signed.

Public School-Based Summer Programs

Public schools throughout South Jersey also operate summer camps. In Moorestown, for instance, full-day programs are hosted at Roberts Elementary and the Upper Elementary School (UES), while Mount Laurel holds similar programs at its elementary schools. These camps often include indoor activities, playground time, and field trips.

These camps are typically operated by school districts or municipalities, which means liability may fall on the township or board of education if negligence causes an injury. Situations involving unaddressed hazards, overlooked food allergies, or unchecked roughhousing can all give rise to legal responsibility. When a public entity is involved, filing a claim becomes more complicated and must comply with strict notice requirements under New Jersey’s Tort Claims Act.

Outdoor Camps and Adventure-Based Programs

Outdoor day camps—such as those offered by Liberty Lakes, YMCA, and ESF—carry unique risks tied to the nature of their programming. Activities like swimming, boating, climbing, and archery are designed to build physical skills, independence, and teamwork. These experiences are valuable, but they also demand a higher level of preparation regarding safety protocols, staff training, and emergency response.

Injury risks increase when children are near open water, navigating wooded trails, or participating in physically demanding games. Parents often sign waivers during registration, but those documents do not eliminate all legal options. A waiver may cover the inherent risks of outdoor activity, yet it cannot protect a camp from claims involving gross negligence. Last summer, a young boy tragically died during a swimming activity at a South Jersey camp. That loss brought attention to how critical it is for camps to maintain strict safety measures—especially in and around water. Adequate supervision, immediate emergency access, and clearly defined protocols must be implemented. Camp operators must take every reasonable step to protect children from foreseeable harm, particularly in high-risk settings.

Specialty Camps with Elevated Risk

In addition to general summer camps, many families enroll children in programs focused on specific interests—such as horseback riding, gymnastics, rock climbing, or martial arts. These camps are typically held at private businesses and include an assumption of risk, which is often addressed in the waiver or registration paperwork. Still, there is a line between assumed risk and preventable harm.

For example, if a child falls at a rock climbing gym due to defective harnesses or improperly trained staff, the business may still be liable despite the inherent risk of the activity. Similarly, if a horse bolts due to overcrowded riding arenas or poor matching between rider and animal, the fault may be found in how the program was managed.

Do Camp Waivers Prevent All Lawsuits?

Most South Jersey summer camps require parents to sign waivers before the first day. These documents often contain language meant to limit the camp’s liability for injuries, and many families assume that means they’ve waived their right to pursue legal action.

In reality, waivers are not absolute. Under New Jersey law, a waiver may protect against claims tied to ordinary risk, but it cannot shield a camp from liability if it was grossly negligent or acted recklessly. Whether a waiver is enforceable depends heavily on how it was written, whether it was signed voluntarily, and the nature of the incident.

Understanding how these factors apply requires a close look at the facts. Camps that cut corners on safety, fail to train staff properly, or ignore signs of danger can still be held accountable—even when parents are asked to sign away certain rights.

What Parents Should Look Out For

While no one wants to assume the worst, it helps to stay alert to warning signs. If your child comes home talking about chaotic transitions, unclear instructions, or staff that seem overwhelmed, those concerns may point to gaps in supervision. Injuries caused by crowding, faulty equipment, unsafe premises, or ignored medical needs can all indicate potential negligence.

The wide variety of camps across South Jersey—from school-run programs to private specialty centers—means the rules around liability are never one-size-fits-all. Sorting through the details, especially after an injury, often requires help from someone who understands how waivers, municipal protections, and private liability intersect under New Jersey law.

Talk To an Experienced Attorney Who Understands Summer Camp Injury Claims

Each summer camp injury case carries its own set of facts, risks, and legal questions. Sorting through waiver language, understanding who may be liable, and determining how New Jersey law applies can quickly become overwhelming. The attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg know how to evaluate these situations with care, especially when children are involved. If your child was hurt at camp this summer, you deserve clear answers and guidance from a legal team that takes your concerns seriously. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, call 856-486-4343 or connect with us through our secure online contact form.