Tracy Schmeltzer: 2026 Insurance outlook for camps, sports and outdoor recreation

In this On Air conversation, Tracy Schmeltzer, Vice President of Religious Markets Underwriting and former Assistant Vice President of Camps, Agency and Groups, shares insights shares insights from across the camps, sports, and outdoor recreation landscape.  

Tracy shares her viewpoint on everything from staffing challenges and evolving participant expectations to the growing impact of severe weather — and how Church Mutual is helping customers navigate these changes.

To better understand the challenges ahead, Jennifer Johnson, senior corporate communications specialist, sat down with Tracy to discuss the trends shaping the year, emerging risks and how insurance carriers can step up to support camps, sports and outdoor recreation organizations.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Q: Before we jump into insurance, what are camps and recreation organizations most concerned about right now? What kind of shifts are you hearing from their day-to-day world?

Tracy S.: Right now, many of the organizations we support are most concerned about staffing, safety and stability. Many of them are still working through staffing shortages and high turnover. This puts pressure on them to keep up with training and supervision.

We are also hearing more challenges around participant behavior and higher expectations from parents and participants.  

When you add in unpredictable weather and aging facilities, it brings organization leaders more challenges. And that brings us the opportunity to help them create overall safety in a more confident way for their organizations.

Q: Looking back at 2025, what stood out to you? Where did you see risks creeping in?

Tracy S.: I wouldn't pinpoint one specific thing, but more small things creeping into everyday operations — such as small gaps with onboarding new employees and inconsistent follow-through in safety routines. Some volunteers stepped into roles they may not have been truly trained for. There was also a general need for more proactive maintenance across their facilities.

Weather continues to play a big role, especially with sudden storms. And specifically related to youth sports, intensity and competition continue to be on the rise. That may outpace overall safety and keeping up with procedures for all the kids.

Q: Camps and rec facilities have unique assets — waterfronts, ropes courses, sports equipment. What are their most challenging safety and liability risks?

Tracy S.: From a waterfront standpoint, the exposure is large and the margin for error is very slim. We’ve heard of near miss drownings. It’s really important for camps, campgrounds and sports groups to home in on water activities. Supervision — constantly having eyes on anyone involved in the water — is key.

Second, I’d highlight adventure elements like ropes courses. Clear procedures and following them matter. Inspections are important — including regular inspections on all equipment and the course itself.

It seems like staff have the procedures down for the campers, but sometimes the staff use the ropes course outside of camp, and that’s where we’ve seen increases in injuries or near miss injuries.

From a frequency standpoint, sports and fitness activities have more frequent injuries, though not as severe. Supervision is critical, along with ensuring equipment is properly maintained and in working condition.

Q: Which insurance coverages are especially valuable to camps and recreation businesses, given the nature of their operations?

Tracy S.: Camps and recreation operations are very hands-on and activity driven. They truly benefit from a tailored insurance approach. Liability is key — these operations couldn’t be in business without it. Proper premises liability, participant liability, and accident and medical coverages are foundational.

Then there’s specialty insurance, like coverage for watercraft and for the ropes course elements. Abuse and molestation protection is also key when dealing with youth and oneonone activities.  

And finally, business income coverage protects organizations if a covered cause of loss prevents them from operating for a day, a week, or even an entire season.

Q: What about sports and fitness programs? Do their insurance needs differ from camps and recreation?

Tracy S.: Camps and recreation are seasonal — which is unique. Sports and fitness programs, on the other hand, are typically year-round. Their risk patterns are different. They’re fast paced, instructor led, and they experience a lot of turnover, which can lead to more frequent injuries.

Ensuring proper liability and medical coverages for participants is key, along with professional liability for instructors and coaches. Many of these organizations are now moving toward online systems, so cyber liability can also be a very important piece to round out their coverages.

Q: Across camps, fitness studios, youth sports and other programs in your Center of Excellence, where do you see the biggest opportunity for Church Mutual to support organizations this coming year?

Tracy S.: Our biggest opportunity is to be more than an insurance provider — to truly support organizations with tools, training and expertise that can make a meaningful difference in their operation. That will help us stand out far beyond what a policy can provide.

At the end of the day, our Camp, Sports and Outdoor Recreation team reflects who we are as a company: We're dedicated to providing spaces where people can learn, grow, compete and build community. By bringing meaningful safety tools, thoughtful underwriting, strong claims support and excellent service, we’re not just insuring their operations — we’re helping them deliver experiences that matter.  

Every one of us at Church Mutual plays a role in that mission.

Q: Is there anything we haven’t covered that people should know as we move into the next year?

Tracy S.: Most people know we’ve insured overnight camps for many years. Over the last three to five years, we’ve expanded beyond camps and provide coverages to sports, fitness, campgrounds and similar organizations. It’s an exciting place to be — an area that’s growing — with excellent teammates and colleagues across our organization.

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