SUMMER SAFETY

Key Takeaways

  • Kids overheat faster than adults—don’t rely on how you feel.
  • Sunscreen: SPF 30+, apply before going out, reapply every 2 hours; don’t miss ears, neck, feet.
  • Babies under 6 months: no sunscreen—use shade + protective clothing.
  • Hydration: give water regularly—don’t wait for kids to say they’re thirsty.
  • Avoid sugary drinks—they don’t hydrate well.
  • Watch for heat exhaustion: sweating, pale skin, dizziness, fatigue, irritability.
  • Act fast if symptoms appear: cool down, hydrate, seek help if needed.
  • Heat stroke = emergency: call 911 immediately.
  • Best practice: outdoor play in cooler mornings, shade + breaks during peak heat.

Summer in the Texas Hill Country is glorious—and unforgiving. The same sunshine that makes outdoor play magical can also put young children at real risk if families aren’t prepared. At Hill Country ELC, outdoor time is a core part of what we do, and summer safety is something we think about carefully every single day. Here’s what every Hill Country family should know before the heat arrives.

Young children cannot regulate their body temperature the way adults can. What feels warm to you may already be dangerously hot for them.

Sunscreen: The Rules That Actually Matter

For children under six months, sunscreen is generally not recommended—shade and protective clothing are your best tools. For everyone else, the guidelines are consistent: use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or immediately after water play. The spots families most often miss are the ears, the back of the neck, the tops of the feet, and the part in the hair.

At HCELC, we ask families to apply sunscreen before drop-off each morning during summer camp. We reapply throughout the day, but that first layer—applied with time to absorb before sun exposure—is the most important one.

Hydration in the Hill Country Heat

Toddlers and preschoolers are notoriously poor self-reporters when it comes to thirst. By the time a young child tells you they’re thirsty, they may already be mildly dehydrated. The goal is proactive, regular hydration—not waiting for thirst to signal the need.

Send your child to camp with a large, labeled water bottle every day. We offer water breaks frequently, but a child who arrives already well-hydrated is starting ahead. Limit sugary drinks on hot days—they don’t hydrate effectively and can actually increase thirst. Water and diluted fruit juice are the best choices for young children in summer heat.

Recognizing Heat Exhaustion in Young Children

Heat exhaustion can develop quickly in children, especially during vigorous outdoor play. Signs to watch for include heavy sweating, cool or pale skin, a fast or weak pulse, nausea, dizziness, headache, and unusual fatigue or irritability. If you notice these signs, move your child to a cool environment immediately, offer water, and apply a cool damp cloth to the neck and forehead. If symptoms don’t improve quickly, seek medical attention.

Heat stroke—marked by hot dry skin, confusion, or loss of consciousness—is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.

What We Do at HCELC to Keep Kids Safe

Our outdoor schedule during summer camp is adjusted for the heat. We move the most active play to the cooler morning hours, provide shaded rest areas, and bring children inside during the hottest part of the afternoon. We monitor children closely during outdoor time and always have water readily available. Our staff is trained in heat safety and knows the signs of heat-related illness.

Summer is meant to be joyful. With a little preparation, it can be safe and wonderful too.

Hill Country ELC’s summer camp runs in early June. For enrollment information, visit hillcountryelc.com.