During the early years of a child’s life, their skin is especially vulnerable to UV radiation. Just one or two blistering sunburns during childhood significantly increases a young person’s risk of developing skin cancer and melanoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Camps across Ontario, including owners, directors and their staff should have a health and ethical mandate and a Sun Safety Policy to help protect their campers from excessive and unprotected sun exposure. Children and youth need special attention, by providing education on safe sun practices and messaging, and constant reinforcement by counsellors and camp nurses. Additionally, the youth are at a high risk because an individual’s lifetime sun exposure occurs by the age of 20, as children spend a majority of their time outdoors during their youth.