Playing it safe: risk management for games play - includes related article

Camping Magazine, May-June, 1996 by Nancy Halliday

Capture the flag, softball, wheelbarrow races, kick the can, dodge ball... these games might bring back fond memories of the fun we had playing games together at camp. Or they might bring back nightmares of time spent in emergency rooms or filling out accident reports for campers or staff who sprained wrists, ankles, and fingers or broke noses while playing games at camp.

By taking the time to think about the players, the game, and the environment in which games are played, we can make games play at camp a safer, more successful, and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

The players

Developmental level and physical condition

Do campers have the physical abilities necessary to play the game? Many junior high and very young campers have poor body control and may require more room for stopping and changing direction. They are at greater risk for collisions with objects, walls, and each other if they are not given sufficient play space. Campers are traveling at a safe speed if they can stop and change directions without falling and if they can run without bumping into others (Graham, Holt, & Parker, 1993).

Younger children have slower reaction times and their tracking skills are not fully developed. They may have difficulty getting out of the way of or successfully intercepting rapidly moving objects such as baseballs, softballs, and tennis balls.

Many children do not have enough upper body strength to properly support their body weight. This increases their risk of neck injury in activities such as wheelbarrow races and relays that include forward and backward rolls. A good match between the developmental level, the physical condition of the players, and the requirements of the game is key to both safety and success in games play.

Size of the players

Games that involve supporting the body weight of others can cause injury. Games that have the potential for physical contact or mis-matches in size can also be dangerous. The chance of injury is much greater if two players who are unevenly matched in body size collide. The same is true if smaller players are called on to support the body weight of larger players. Mismatches are more likely to happen when players' ages vary widely (counselors playing with very young campers), or when there is a coed group. To prevent injuries, match players with others of the same size whenever possible. When this is not possible, make sure that the larger or heavier people support the lighter and smaller campers.

Dress and accessories

Do the campers' clothes provide freedom of movement, good traction, and unhindered vision? All players should wear footwear that protects their feet and prevents slipping on the playing surface. Very few surfaces are safe for barefooted play. Campers should not be permitted to play in socks without shoes, especially on hardwood or tiled floors. Although soccer cleats provide good traction for field sports, they are not appropriate on the gym floor. Oversized clothes and pants that are worn around the knees can cause campers to trip and fall. Hats and hoods can slip over the eyes during play, blocking the campers' vision.

Campers should not have pens or other objects in their pockets, and should not chew gum or eat while playing. Campers who wear glasses should have a restraint to keep the glasses in place during play. Consider requiring protective eye equipment for games such as floor hockey and racquetball. Require participants to wear any protective equipment that is standard according to the rules of the game. For example, softball and baseball catchers must wear helmets, face masks, and throat protectors (Gaskin, 1993).

The game

Actions

Games should never include actions such as running backward, spinning until dizzy, or diving or being propelled headfirst. These actions carry a high risk of serious injury. In tagging games, emphasize that a tag is only a touch, not a slap or a hit. Players should be tagged on the back, below shoulder level, so that they are not thrown off balance or tagged in the head or face (Graham et al., 1993).

Discourage actions which are not a part of the game, such as roughhousing or horseplay, and enforce game rules. Make sure that the staff members who are supervising do not encourage campers to value competitiveness and winning over safety (Alberts, 1995). Allowing or ignoring these attitudes can lead to escalation of negative interactions. It can also lead to injury if players become too competitive or frustrated with each other.

In games or relays that involve jumping over obstacles, the obstacle should be low enough so that everyone can jump over it and land in control (Graham et al., 1993). These obstacles should also move easily and not catch and hold players' feet.

Establish traffic patterns that help players to avoid collisions. For example, in relays, have all players follow the same route around the turning point (e.g., all the players go up on the left side of the cone and turn to the right around the cone to return). If the game involves players bending down to pick up equipment or touch lines, make sure that the equipment and the players are arranged in such a way that players do not bang heads on their way up or down.