What Waivers Do Summer Camps Need?
Liability Waiver / Assumption of Risk
Informs parents about risks and asks them to acknowledge. Includes release-of-liability clause.
Medical Release / Emergency Authorization
Authorizes staff to seek emergency treatment. Collects allergies, medications, conditions, and physician info.
Photo and Media Consent
Explicit consent for photos/video on website, social media, brochures. Separate from the liability waiver.
Additional Forms
- Transportation consent for field trips
- Swim test authorization
- Medication administration consent
- Sunscreen/insect repellent consent (required in some states)
Each should be a separate document. Bundling into one mega-form can undermine legal enforceability.
The Paper Problem
Paper-based collection for a camp with 80 kids typically looks like: 30% return week one (half incomplete), another 40% trickle in over weeks 2-3, and the remaining 30% sign hastily at check-in. Result: forms collected under pressure, missing information, and a filing cabinet that's impossible to search at 2 AM during an overnight trip.
A Better Approach: Shared Signing Links
- Upload your waiver PDF
- Generate a signing link — one link any parent can use
- Share via WhatsApp group, email blast, or text — parents tap, sign, done
- Track completion — see who's signed without digging through files
Zero friction — no app, no account. Parents sign during their commute. For a walkthrough, see how to get waivers signed online.
Verification for Staff
With Signew, every signed waiver generates a verification link. A counselor can confirm on their phone: yes, this parent signed this document on this date. Useful for:
- Field trips — verify transportation consent before the bus leaves
- Waterfront — confirm swim authorization before a child enters the water
- Medical situations — pull up a medical release instantly
Learn more about how verification works.
Timeline: When to Start Collecting
- 6-8 weeks before: Finalize waiver documents
- 4-6 weeks before: Send first signing link with registration confirmation
- 2-3 weeks before: Reminder to families that haven't signed
- 1 week before: Final reminder
- Day of camp: Have the signing link at check-in as last resort
Choosing the Right Tool
For camps, look for: shareable links (one link for all parents), mobile-first signing, tamper-proof records, and verification for staff. Signew's free plan covers 10 waivers to test the workflow. For a broader comparison, see best digital waiver tools.