The Campaign for Camp Safety and The Safety Navigator Launch the Safe Summers Fund

The Campaign for Camp Safety and The Safety Navigator are proud to announce the launch of a new partnership, the Safe Summers Fund. This innovative grantmaking program is designed to help nonprofit summer camps in Texas make meaningful, risk-based safety improvements that protect children and strengthen camp safety systems in compliance with the new Texas camp safety reforms under The Youth CAMPER Act and The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, which passed into law in 2025. Initial seed funding for the program was generously provided by the Shalom Austin Texas Flood Relief Fund - supported by Jewish communities across Texas and around the country - and the BBYO Jewish Youth Movement.

“Every child deserves a summer that is both fun and safe. The Safe Summers Fund advances that mission by pairing new camp safety laws and the legacy of Heaven’s 27 with real, on-the-ground action,” said Blake Bonner, Co-Founder of The Campaign for Camp Safety. “This is a foundational step to ensure camps have the resources to meet these standards, and we are committed to growing the Fund until every child at a qualifying camp is protected by these life-saving measures.”

Grants will be awarded based on considerations of need, risk, and readiness. The program prioritizes investments that address a camp’s highest safety risks and contribute to long-term safety capability. Applications are informed by each camp’s unique risk profile and supported by the Safety Navigator’s structured risk assessment framework, tools, and expert guidance.

The Youth CAMPER Act and The Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act, championed by parents of the Camp Mystic flood victims known as the “Heaven’s 27,” were passed in the second special session last year and go into effect this summer. The bipartisan effort established new protections to ensure that every child who attends youth camps in Texas is safer starting next summer. The legislation includes stronger emergency preparedness standards, mandatory staff training and certification, independent inspections and accountability measures, and improved communication requirements.

“These new Texas safety laws represent a turning point for youth camp safety,” said Charlee Johnson, Co-Founder of The Safety Navigator. “Our role is to help camps turn laws into action by building durable safety systems that support preparedness, accountability, and clear communication when it matters most.”

Nonprofit camps who are interested in the Safe Summers Fund can find more information and apply through logging into The Safety Navigator Platform.

The Campaign for Camp Safety was launched by a coalition of parents of the 27 girls (“Heaven’s 27”) who lost their lives while in the care of Camp Mystic during the July 2025 floods. From the deepest grief has come a commitment: to ensure other families never suffer the same heartbreak and preventable loss. The Campaign for Camp Safety’s mission is to ensure that the American tradition of summer camp continues, while avoiding preventable disasters and harm to children. Learn more at CampaignForCampSafety.com.

The Safety Navigator supports camps in keeping children safe by translating safety requirements into real-world action. Their team of professionals and safety experts empower camp leaders and staff with the tools, training, and support they need to keep kids safe while preserving the magic at summer camp. Learn more at TheSafetyNavigator.org.