Keeping Camp Cool: How We Adapt During Hot Weather

Summer camp and sunshine go hand in hand. While we all love those classic warm summer days, every now and then New England reminds us what a true heat wave feels like. When that happens, our staff is ready long before the thermometer starts climbing.

At Camp Hazen YMCA, we don't simply carry on with business as usual. We make thoughtful adjustments to our schedule and activities to keep campers comfortable, safe, and still having an incredible time.

On the first day of a heat wave, you'll notice lots of small changes that make a big difference. Activity periods include more frequent and longer water breaks, and counselors build extra shade time into the day. Staying hydrated becomes an even bigger priority, with campers encouraged to refill water bottles often and staff making hydration checks throughout the day.

Of course, camp also finds ways to embrace the heat. Water starts making appearances everywhere. A game that might normally be played on a field suddenly includes water balloons or water squirters. Slip-and-slides pop up in Quest and Village Nights. Meanwhile, our wonderful maintenance team gets to work setting up cooling stations throughout camp. Large misters appear in gathering areas, giving campers and staff a refreshing place to cool down as they move between activities.

Even simple transitions become opportunities to cool off and laugh together. Some of our favorite camp memories happen because the weather gave us an excuse to get a little wetter than usual.

If the heat sticks around for a second or third day, especially during overnight camp, we make even bigger adjustments. Rather than trying to push through the hottest hours of the afternoon, we redesign the schedule around the weather.

Campers enjoy an extended siesta during the peak heat of the day—a chance to relax indoors, play quiet games, read, write letters home, or simply recharge. Later in the afternoon, that time is more than made up with an extended beach party featuring extra free swim and relaxed time enjoying the shady parts of camps while temperatures begin to ease.

Our day camp follows many of these same principles with it's own twists. While the schedule is different, our staff still builds in additional cooling opportunities, adjusts activities, increases hydration breaks, and looks for fun ways to bring water into the day.

Throughout every heat wave, our counselors, leadership team, and Health Lodge staff become even more attentive to how campers are feeling. They're trained to recognize the early signs of heat exhaustion and dehydration and encourage campers to speak up if they aren't feeling their best. Sometimes all a camper needs is a cool drink, a shady spot, and a few minutes to recover.

If anyone needs more care, our Health Lodge becomes the ultimate cooling station. With air conditioning, cold drinks, ice packs, and experienced nursing staff, it's always available for campers who need a break from the heat before returning to enjoy the rest of their day.

Summer should be filled with sunshine, adventure, and plenty of time outdoors—and with a little flexibility, it can be all of those things safely. Heat waves may change our schedule, but they never change our commitment to providing an amazing camp experience. In fact, many campers end up hoping the extra water games and extended beach parties stick around long after the temperatures return to normal.