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Why Do Children Need to Wash Their Hands at Camp?

Hand hygiene is important everywhere - especially in group settings such as summer camps and other similar children's activity programs. Even though handwashing may seem like a simple task, it's a crucial step in disease prevention.

Proper handwashing techniques can stop the spread of bacterial and viral infections that can easily jump from child to child in a summer camp environment. When a child sneezes or coughs into their hands; touches their nose, mouth, or eyes; or uses the restroom, they can leave germs behind. Another child who touches a contaminated surface can pick up these microorganisms.



Handwashing stops this cycle and can reduce the risks to your campers. This increases the chances that everyone at camp will have a happy, healthy summer.

When Should Campers Wash Their Hands?

Even though hand hygiene is essential for your campers' health, they don't need to wash all day long. The primary times children should wash their hands at camp include after using the restroom, before or after eating, or after they sneeze, cough, or wipe their nose. If your camp includes messy activities (such as arts and crafts or muddy outdoor play), the children should wash their hands afterward to remove debris.

How Should Your Campers Wash Their Hands?

Your campers need three things to wash their hands - soap, water, and a towel or air dryer. To effectively wash their hands and reduce the risk of disease, campers should wet their hands with clean water and lather the soap. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adults should scrub their hands for 20 seconds or more.



The campers should wash the fronts and backs of their hands, under their nails, and between their fingers. After thoroughly scrubbing their hands, the children should rinse the soap and dry their hands completely. 

Is Hand Sanitizer an Acceptable Substitute?

If soap and water aren't available, your campers can use hand sanitizer. To effectively remove germs, hand sanitizer should contain at least 60 percent alcohol. Always supervise children when they use hand sanitizer. Children should never eat, drink, or lick sanitizer products. Younger children may also need help to properly spread sanitizer over the hands.

How Can Children Wash Their Hands at Camp?

Ideally, your camp could have plenty of indoor facilities with sinks for handwashing. While permanent sinks provide an easy way for children to keep their hands clean, you may not have this luxury at your camp - or you may not have enough sinks for everyone to use. If your camp doesn't have sinks or doesn't have an adequate supply, portable sanitizing and handwashing stations can help.



These rentable stations provide an alternative or extra space for your campers to clean their hands during the day. Choose as many stations as your camp needs, and position them strategically throughout outdoor or indoor spaces. You can also use handwashing stations in areas far away from the main buildings or parts of camp.

Will Handwashing Only Benefit the Campers?

Simply stated - no. Handwashing can help everyone. Your campers aren't the only ones who can use hand sanitization and handwashing stations. Staff members such as counselors can also use these stations to stay clean and germ-free during camp activities. This reduces time loss due to illnesses and can help to keep your camp fully staffed all summer long.

Do you need to rent portable handwashing stations for your summer program? Contact Gotta Go Site Service Rentals for more information.