About Kevin Gordon
Independent Summer Camp Expert Witness and Consultant for Plaintiff and Defense Counsel Throughout the United States and Canada
Kevin Gordon has over 40 years of experience in summer camps and youth programs, with responsibilities spanning camp ownership, administration, program operations, staff supervision, risk management, aquatics, and organizational leadership.
Practical Camp Operations Experience
His experience reflects the practical realities of camp operations: hiring and training staff, supervising children and young adults, developing and implementing policies, managing facilities and programs, responding to emergencies, overseeing waterfront operations, communicating with parents and staff, and making day-to-day operational decisions.
That operational perspective informs his work as a summer camp expert witness. Rather than evaluating an incident solely by what a written policy says should have happened, Kevin considers how camp systems actually function—including staffing, training, supervision, communication, facilities, program design, organizational expectations, and the circumstances confronting staff at the time.
Camp Ownership and Leadership
Kevin formerly owned and operated Camp Kupugani, a residential summer camp in northwest Illinois.
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Over the course of his career, his camp responsibilities have included service as an owner, director, assistant director, waterfront director, risk manager, consultant, staff supervisor, and program leader.
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His experience has included responsibility for areas such as camper supervision, staff hiring and training, health and safety procedures, aquatic programming, emergency planning, facilities and property operations, parent communication, program development, and organizational risk management.
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This range of responsibilities allows him to evaluate camp incidents from the perspective of someone who has been responsible not merely for an individual program area, but for the operation of a camp as a whole.
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That breadth of operational responsibility informs his analysis of supervision, staffing, training, policies, safety systems, and day-to-day camp decision-making in litigation matters.
Camp Industry Involvement
Kevin has also been active in the broader camp profession.
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His industry involvement has included service on the American Camp Association–Illinois Board of Directors, service as an ACA-Illinois vice president, participation in the American Camp Association’s National Council of Leaders, and presentations at camp-industry conferences.
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He has also served as an American Red Cross lifeguard trainer.
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These experiences have broadened his perspective beyond the practices of a single camp and provided exposure to wider camp-industry discussions concerning supervision, staff training, safety, risk management, program quality, and operational practices.
Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting
Kevin provides expert witness and consulting services to both plaintiff and defense counsel.
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His work may involve review and analysis of camp records, policies and procedures, training materials, health and safety documentation, incident reports, witness testimony, and other evidence relevant to camp operations.
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Depending on the matter, issues may include camper supervision, abuse prevention and safeguarding, staff hiring and training, serious injury or death, aquatics, medical or allergy response, medication procedures, emergency response, facilities, and camp industry standards and practices.
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Depending on the engagement, services may include:
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Initial consultation and case review
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Review of records, policies, training materials, incident documentation, and testimony
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Identification of additional information relevant to the operational analysis
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Evaluation of camp practices, procedures, and applicable standards
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Written expert opinions and reports
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Deposition testimony
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Trial testimony
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Kevin’s role is to provide an independent assessment based on the available evidence, the circumstances of the particular matter, his professional experience, and relevant camp standards and practices.
Summer Camps and Related Youth Programs
Summer camps—including residential and day camps—are the primary focus of Kevin’s expert witness work.
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Where his experience is relevant, he also considers matters involving youth recreation programs, adventure and outdoor programs, aquatic programs, school trips, and other organizations responsible for the supervision and care of young people.
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In his expert work, Kevin provides independent opinions based on the available evidence, the circumstances of the matter, relevant camp practices, and applicable standards, regardless of which party retained him.
Discuss a Potential Matter
Kevin Gordon is available for expert witness and consulting engagements throughout the United States and Canada and accepts engagements from both plaintiff and defense counsel.
*Please do not transmit confidential or privileged information until potential conflicts have been identified and cleared.