Sending a child away for a week or two to summer camp can be cause for worry or concern. You may worry that your child isn't having a good time, or maybe you're worried that he's not making friends. But you shouldn't have to worry about safety while your child is at camp.

Before your child heads off to camp, be sure you address any safety concerns you might have with your child or his counselor ahead of time.

A discussion may be all you need to keep yourself from unnecessary worry or concern. Here's what you need to know.

Summer Camp Safety Tips: A Guide for Parents and Tweens

Prevent Sunburn and Bug Bites: You may be worried that your child will get lost in the woods or fall off the rock climbing wall while away at camp, but the truth is he's more likely to suffer sunburn or the itch of bug bites than he is a serious injury. Before summer camp begins, stress the importance of applying sunscreen everyday, and reapplying it after swimming or after being in the sun after several hours. In addition, supply your child with bug spray and show him how to properly use it. It might be a good idea to encourage him to use bug repellent in the morning, and then reapply after lunch and dinner.

Talk About Lice:Head lice is a common problem with school aged kids, and your child could be exposed to head lice while away at camp. Many camps will check campers at the beginning of the week for lice, and if a child has it, they will either send the camper home or treat the camper using a special shampoo that kills lice and eggs. You can keep your child lice free by stressing that she's not to share hairbrushes, combs or hats with other campers. In addition, head to head contact should not be permitted. Make sure your tween knows that lice is spread by sharing pillows, hats, and other hair accessories with others. It might be a good idea to check your camper for lice once he or she has returned home, just in case.

Make Showering a Priority: While at camp your child will sweat, get dirty and apply and reapply sunscreen and bug repellent throughout the day. A shower is an absolute must. If you think your tween will choose not to shower, address your concern with his or her camp counselor, and make sure your child knows that a shower at the end of the day will help her sleep better, and keep her refreshed for another day at summer camp.

Address Allergies: If your child has food or other allergies it's your responsibility to keep the camp counselor and camp nurse in the loop. Fill out any camp forms that ask about allergies, medicine requirements or other medical issues. Be specific and if necessary, speak with the camp nurse about your child's condition before the camp session begins. If your child has special dietary requirements, communicating with the camp is something you need to take care of well before you drop your child off on that first day.

Access Swimming Ability: Many summer camps will access camper swimming abilities at the beginning of the camp session, so that they know which campers are independent swimmers and which ones are not. Be truthful about your child's swimming ability when filling out forms, and be sure your child knows if he is not allowed in the deep end of the pool.

Follow the Rules: Camps have rules for a reason, and the main reason is to keep campers safe. It's a good idea to review rules with your child ahead of time, to discuss why they might be in place and to make sure your child knows that it is his or her responsibility to follow them. You can find the rules on the camp's website, or in the camp brochure.