Insurance for Christian Camps & Retreat Centers
Christian camps and retreat centers face risks that most insurance agents have never thought about. Waterfront activities, ropes courses, horseback riding, overnight supervision of minors, wilderness programming, seasonal staffing, and food service for hundreds — each one creates liability that standard church policies weren't designed to cover.
MinistrySure works with carriers like Brotherhood Mutual who understand camp operations and builds coverage around how your camp actually runs. Georgia's workers' compensation requirements apply to camps with 3+ employees — including seasonal staff.
Last updated: February 2026
What insurance risks are unique to church camps?
Church camps face insurance risks that standard church policies don't address: overnight supervision of minors, waterfront and aquatic activities, ropes courses and horseback riding, seasonal staffing with high turnover, remote locations with limited emergency access, food service for large groups, and transportation of campers across long distances.
Overnight supervision of minors (24/7 duty of care)
High-risk recreational activities (waterfront, climbing, horses, archery)
Seasonal operations with temporary staff
Remote locations with limited emergency access
Food service for large groups
Transportation of campers to and from facilities
Facilities spread across large acreage with multiple structures
What coverage does a church camp need?
A church camp needs property coverage for multiple structures, general liability, participant accident and medical payments, abuse and molestation coverage, directors and officers liability, workers' compensation for seasonal staff, commercial auto, saddle animal liability, waterfront and aquatic liability, umbrella coverage, and hired and non-owned auto — each built around your camp's specific activities and operations.
Property
Multiple buildings — lodges, cabins, dining halls, shower buildings, pavilions, equipment sheds — spread across large acreage. Replacement cost valuations matter more here because remote locations increase rebuild costs.
General Liability
Foundation coverage for bodily injury and property damage claims arising from camp operations, events, and visitors on your property.
Participant Accident / Medical Payments
Covers medical bills when a camper is injured, regardless of fault. Critical for camps because it reduces the likelihood of a lawsuit from the family.
Abuse & Molestation
Non-negotiable for any camp working with minors. Standard general liability excludes these claims. Defense costs alone often exceed $100,000. Brotherhood Mutual builds this into their ministry policies.
Directors & Officers (D&O)
Protects board members and camp leadership from personal liability for decisions made in their official capacity.
Workers' Compensation
Seasonal staff still count toward Georgia's three-employee threshold. If your camp has three or more paid workers — even summer-only — you need workers' comp.
Commercial Auto
Buses, vans, and utility vehicles used for camper transportation, supply runs, and maintenance. Personal auto policies don't cover camp-titled vehicles.
Saddle Animal Liability
If your camp offers horseback riding, you need specific coverage for injuries caused by or related to horses and riding activities.
Waterfront / Aquatic Liability
Swimming, boating, kayaking, water slides, and dock activities each carry specific liability exposure that must be addressed by name — not lumped under general liability.
Umbrella / Excess Liability
An additional layer of protection above your general liability, auto, and employer's liability limits. Essential given the higher-risk nature of camp activities.
Hired & Non-Owned Auto
Covers liability when staff or volunteers use their personal vehicles for camp business — picking up supplies, transporting campers from a meeting point, running errands.
Why work with MinistrySure for your camp
MinistrySure understands the difference between a church retreat weekend and a full-summer residential camp program. We work with Brotherhood Mutual and other ministry-focused carriers who cover waterfront activities, adventure programming, and overnight supervision that standard carriers often exclude. Our team of 11 has served 700+ Georgia ministries, including churches that also operate camps and retreat centers.
We understand ministry-based camp operations
We know the difference between a church retreat weekend and a full-summer residential camp program. Your coverage should reflect how your camp actually operates.
Brotherhood Mutual covers camps
As authorized Brotherhood Mutual agents, we give your camp access to a carrier built specifically for ministry — including coverages for waterfront, adventure activities, and overnight supervision that standard carriers often exclude.
Every person on our team serves ministries
When you call MinistrySure, you reach someone who understands camp ministry. Not a call center. Not someone who also handles restaurants and contractors.
700+ Georgia ministries served
We've seen every type of ministry operation and every type of claim. Many of our church clients also operate camps and retreat centers.
Related coverage
Many camps and retreat centers are operated by churches or faith-based ministries. If your camp also runs school-year programs, see our Christian school insurance page. We work with Brotherhood Mutual and other carriers built for ministry.
Camp and retreat center insurance — questions answered
Does our camp need separate insurance from our church? +
Yes — camp operations create risks that church policies typically exclude or limit. Waterfront activities, overnight supervision, high-risk recreation, and seasonal staffing all require specific coverages. A standalone camp policy or a properly endorsed ministry package ensures your camp's unique exposures are actually covered.
Are seasonal camp counselors considered employees for workers' comp? +
Yes — if paid, they count toward Georgia's three-employee threshold under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-2. If your camp has three or more paid workers at any point during the season — even part-time or temporary — you need a workers' compensation policy. Unpaid volunteers are generally not counted.
What if a camper is injured during a high-risk activity? +
Participant accident coverage and general liability work together. Participant accident pays the camper's medical bills regardless of fault, which reduces the likelihood of a lawsuit. General liability covers the camp if the family does pursue a claim. Both are essential for camps with adventure programming.
Do we need background checks for all camp staff? +
Yes — most carriers, including Brotherhood Mutual, require documented background screening for anyone working with minors as a condition of abuse and molestation coverage. If you don't screen staff and volunteers, you may not have coverage when you need it most.
Can MinistrySure insure camps outside of Georgia? +
We primarily serve Georgia-based camps and retreat centers, but we can help with multi-state camp operations. If your camp has locations in multiple states or hosts campers from across the Southeast, we'll build a coverage program that addresses each location's requirements.
Let's review your camp's coverage
A coverage review starts with a conversation about how your camp actually operates — activities, staffing, facilities, and programs.