Church Mutual® Urges Camps Nationwide to Go Beyond Compliance Following Texas Safety Legislation

MERRILL, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following new Texas legislation aimed at strengthening camp safety standards, Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. (a stock insurer)¹ is calling on youth-serving organizations to use this moment for deeper reflection and action.

The legislation—prompted by the tragic loss of campers and staff during recent severe flooding—calls for structural and procedural changes to improve safety. Experts say camps should view these measures as an opportunity to build a culture of proactive, inclusive and sustainable safety.

“Regulations are a critical foundation, but true safety comes from building a culture where every staff member, camper and leader shares responsibility,” said Tracy Schmeltzer, assistant vice president - camps at Church Mutual. “We encourage camps to go beyond compliance and embed safety into every aspect of their operations.”

Key areas for camp safety improvement
Church Mutual recommends three focus areas:

• Emergency planning: Camps should conduct location-specific risk assessments, develop scenario-based response plans and train staff through realistic drills. Plans should include clear roles, communication strategies and post-incident recovery protocols.
  Resource: Risk reduction 101
• Staff training: Effective training includes camper supervision, emergency procedures and abuse prevention. Camps should differentiate training for new and returning staff, incorporating wellness strategies to prevent burnout.
  Resource: Creating a camp culture that includes safety
• Communication protocols: Camps should establish daily safety briefings, incident reporting systems and transparent communication with families and emergency responders.
  Resource: Safety is everyone’s responsibility

A shared responsibility
Safety is a shared responsibility of leadership, staff, campers and families. Camps are encouraged to foster a culture that makes safety part of everyday decision-making and empowers everyone to speak up and take action.

The Texas legislation raises an opportunity for camps nationwide to reassess internal practices and strengthen safety systems—not just to meet standards, but to protect lives.

About Church Mutual
Church Mutual Insurance Company, S.I., founded in 1897, offers specialized insurance for religious organizations of all denominations, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, secular and non-secular camps and conference centers, and nonprofit and human services organizations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit churchmutual.com.