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Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Summer Camp

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It is time to start thinking about Summer Youth Camps. But before your children head off, health experts are is suggesting both parents and camp directors, step up to protect the health and safety of each campers’ health.

Probably the most important thing is for parents to ask Camp Directors prior to camp what kinds of health services, and emergency response can be expected at camp. It is expected that camps require, a full health exam and list of any medications. Children also need access to emergency drugs for asthma and allergies. The days are gone as seeing camp as a “medication holiday.”

A common issue like homesickness can be reduced with a little effort by parents and Doctors and Camp Directors in the weeks before camp. Your camp should give you a plan on how they all can work together to reduce homesickness.

Edward Walton, M.D. helped write guidelines for camper safety policy for the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Camp Association.

Walton, a clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine in the U-M Medical School who has studied camp health for 18 years, says “Summer camp, whether it’s day camp or sleep-away, can be a great experience for children — but it’s crucial that parents, camp officials and medical professionals work together to make it as safe.”

Walton and U-M colleagues recently published a study in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine showing that almost half of camp health officers reported caring for children with significant medical needs, including diabetes, asthma, attention deficit disorder and epilepsy. But 44 percent of the camp health officers had medical training at the paramedic level or less, and 40 percent said it would take an ambulance more than 10 minutes to get to their camp. More than 70 percent said the hospital that would receive an injured or ill camper was small or rural.

Walton feels parents and camp officials need to talk openly, before camp about all health problems their child might face at camp. Be clear on how the camp would respond, and how parents can be reached in an emergency.

All in all Overnight Summer Camps have a fairly clean record for health and safety. Ask the camp owners and directors how safe their camp is. Do you feel they are ready for your child? To learn more on how to pick a summer camp go to Summer Camp Advice. A FREE directory about Summer Camps

Swift Nature Camp is a Summer Youth Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional kid’s summer camp activities with Environmental Education Camp.


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One Response to “Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Summer Camp”

  1. Summer Camp says:

    In case you or any of your fellow members are on regular medication, always keep it with you. Remember to keep the medicine at a quick reach place, so that you can grab it quickly in case of an emergency.

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