There’s something special about watching kids race onto a field, full of excitement, cheeks flushed, smiles wide, hair flying. We all know that youth sports are about so much more than just the game. They’re about fun, friendships, growth and building confidence.

Along with all the enjoyment and growth, there’s an important responsibility we don’t always talk about — keeping kids safe. And when we say “safe,” it’s not just about preventing broken bones (though that’s part of it).

As a VP of safety and operations at US Sports Camps, I’ve learned that keeping children safe takes more than good intentions. It’s a mix of using real-time data to see what’s happening on the ground, drawing on years of hands-on experience and listening closely to feedback from our directors, coaches and parents. Each of these pieces helps us spot potential issues before they become problems and allows us to focus on what’s working well so we can keep building on it.

We take an “on the offense” approach to safety. Sports camps are busy, high-energy spaces, and we know that keeping kids safe means being ready for anything. That’s why we’ve created simple, easy-to-use guides and templates to help our camp directors handle a variety of situations — from extreme heat and poor air quality to emergency scenarios like active........

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