The Ministry of Health is to hold a public forum next week to educate would-be operators of summer camps on camp standards.

Responding to concerns over the lack of legal standards for summer camps, a spokeswoman said the Department of Environmental Health also offered registration for holiday camps.

Additionally, a Safe Camps Committee has put together safety guidelines for camps — while a brochure is being created on “the top-ten things you should ask before sending your child to camp”.

However, Sheelagh Cooper, of the Coalition for the Protection of Children said the measures still fell short of requirements backed by law.

“The problem is that the government-sponsored camp registration is purely voluntary, is not backed by legislation, and there are no consequences for not registering. Furthermore, there are no resources in place to monitor the level of compliance. By their own admission, they respond only when there are complaints.

“Consequently, virtually anyone can set up and operate a summer camp under whatever conditions they choose.”

Ms Cooper said the coalition had often fielded complaints over the conduct of summer camps.

“Last year, for example, we received a call from the ferry operators saying that children had been left on board the ferry and abandoned by a camp operator.

“I am aware that a committee was established to create guidelines but, as I informed the committee last year, in our opinion what is required is legislation mandating proper standards and licensing, as is the case for daycare and nursery school operations.”

• The first public meeting for camp operators will be held next Wednesday, from 5.30pm to 7pm, at the Centre on Angle Street.