During June, many parents are ready to send their children off to summer camp.  When the kids head to summer camp, there's more to worry about than mosquito bites.  The damage caused by the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can be much more severe.

Over 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun.  Without proper sun protection, a fun summer at camp can lead to painful sunburns, premature skin aging and skin cancer. Just one severe sunburn in childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma later in life.  Children with fair skin, blond or red hair and blue or green eyes are at the highest risk of sunburn. But darker-skinned children also need sun protection.  As a parent, you can easily help your children avoid painful sunburns and the lasting damage that they can cause.

Young women aren’t the only ones showing the effect of beach vacations: In a study of 681 white seven-year-olds in Colorado, every vacation near the water was associated with a five percent increase in small moles (≤ 2 mm). Most children are born without moles, which tend to be acquired during childhood. Since a greater number of moles means a higher risk of developing melanoma, these increases in children are a cause for concern.

Did you know that just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life?

Unfortunately, 54 percent of children burn or tan in their second summer, and 22 percent burn in their first, according to one US study. “Children should not be getting sunburned at any age, especially since there are a range of very effective sun protection methods that can used,” said Perry Robins, MD, President, The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Parents need to be extra vigilant about sun protection all the time.” But keeping your children safe from the sun is easy when you follow The Skin Cancer Foundation’s practical advice.

If you’ve ever spent a summer day at the beach or poolside, you’ve undoubtedly seen an adorable infant decked out in sun-protective attire, including a jumper, colossal sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.

When you send your child off to camp, you want to make sure that he or she is well taken care of and protected — and that means protected from the sun, too. Find out what to look for and what to ask when choosing a sun-safe camp.