Hot Tips #3: Healthcare at Camp

Our Health Centers are clinics managed by licensed health care professionals and overseen by our board certified Medical Director, Dr. Jeremy DeWall. Because of the communal living environment, campers will share laughs, experiences and fun…and sometimes head colds or the stomach flu or whatever “virus de jour” that is going around camp. The goal of our Health Centers is to help campers and staff establish practices to help them stay healthy and able to participate in camp activities–because, even though there is lots of magic at camp, there is no magic wand (or even a pill) that will cure the common cold.

Coming to the Health Center is more like going to a doctor’s office than walking into the bathroom to your home medicine cabinet. One of the goals of our health care professionals is to partner with parents to provide the best individualized care possible, and that starts with providing thorough and accurate information on all required health forms, especially regarding medications and any medical or mental/emotional concerns you may have.

If you are sending any sort of “medication” to camp (and medication is defined as everything from a homeopathic tincture to a gummy vitamin to a prescription cream to an inhaler to a prescribed ADHD medication) we MUST have a Permission for Medication Administration for EACH different medication that comes to camp with your camper. This is a Colorado State Childcare Licensing rule and there is zero wiggle room on this regulation. Any medications that come to camp must be turned into the healthcare staff for appropriate administration per the doctor’s orders on either the Physician’s Exam or on the Permission for Medication Administration Form, otherwise our nurses cannot legally give your child that medication. Our health centers stock some Over-the-Counter medications for symptomatic relief of some cold or allergy symptoms, but if you know your child will only recover from a head cold with Mucinex DM, then please have your doctor fill out a Permission for Medication Administration for Mucinex DM and then send that medication to camp with your camper.

Most importantly, help your camper practice healthy habits to help them avoid getting sick at camp before they arrive at camp. Hydration, consistent hand-washing, not sharing personal items and getting rest (including napping during rest period or creative tent time) will help set them up for success for their time at camp. If they do end up feeling run down or under the weather, make sure they communicate with their counselors so they can be seen during one of the blocks of clinic hours available during the day.

HOT TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• DO: Pick up the phone when our Healthcare Staff call during the two weeks prior to the start of camp. They are excited to chat with you about your camper, their needs and to double check if you are missing any information on your forms

• DO: Send pills, not liquid medication, to camp. Most liquid medications (minus inhalers) can be prescribed in pill form for easier packaging and transport on overnight trips.

• DO: Double check that ALL information you have entered into the Health History form regarding medication is accurate and matches what is on the pill bottle and what the doctor has written on the Permission for Medication Administration form. The dosage must match exactly or you will have to submit a new form.

• DO: Talk to your camper about what to do when they are not feeling well and the adults they need to inform (counselors or trip leaders). Remind them that drinking lots of water and getting plenty of rest will help their bodies fight the germs and help them start feeling better, faster.

• DON’T: Send unnecessary vitamins or melatonin to camp. The meals at camp are plentiful and nutritious and the campers are so active they will be tired at the end of the day. If you MUST send vitamins, homeopathic medications or melatonin, please make sure the doctor has written “AS NEEDED” on the delivery schedule, this will allow your child to ask for the vitamins, homeopathic medications or melatonin as they feel they may need them, but not be required to take them every day.

HOT TIPS FOR CAMPERS:

• DO: Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.

• DO: Let a counselor know if you are feeling unwell so they can help you get to the health center at an appropriate time.

• DO: Drink between 3-4 liters (3-4 water bottles) of water every day while you are at camp

• DO: Eat healthy food and try new things while you are at camp; there is always fresh fruit available as a snack in the lodge

• DO: Use rest period times for resting quietly or taking a nap.

• DON’T: Wait to let one of your counselors or one of the nurses know if you are feeling unwell.

• DON’T: Share your waterbottle, toothbrush, chapstick, camping utensils or other items that may have your germs and saliva on them with anyone else. We want to share good times at camp…not swap spit.