Keeping Kids Safe At Summer Camp

Dr. Jennifer Ashton Shares Health Tips For Parents Concerned About The H1N1 Virus, Allergies Or Homesickness

(CBS)  Every summer, parents are concerned about how their children will do when they head off to camp. In the summer, it's no different, especially as the H1N1 (swine) flu remains in headlines.

CBS News medical correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, who reported from Camp Dudley YMCA in Westport, N.Y., shared tips on what some camps are doing to keep their campers safe.

As summer season arrives, the H1NI virus continues to pass from person to person. While it's added an extra element to medical planning this year, many camps are still focusing on the main goal: having fun!

According to Ashton, more than 11 million children and adults attend summer camp each year.

Ashton, whose son is experiencing his first year at summer camp, showed what she packed him and stressed that everything should be labeled as well.

Ashton packed:

Prescription medication: Ashton says this will go to the infirmary as soon as he son arrives.

Sun block: This is "very important" to prevent burns.

Hand sanitizer: "I'm a big fan of it to prevent germs," she said.

Comfort item: Ashton sprayed some of her son's items with a little bit of her perfume as a reminder of her.

Reporting from the camp's infirmary, which Ashton said might get a lot of activity this season, she offered two tips for parents sending children to camp this year.

"Firstly, if your child has flu-like symptoms at the beginning of the camp season, please communicate that with the camp's nurse or doctor and probably delay sending that child until he or she is better," she said.

"Secondly, don't be surprised if you do get a call from the camp nurse or doctor that your child may need to be isolated or sent home briefly if he or she comes down with the flu."

An advocate of clean hands, Ashton pointed out that mealtime at camp can be particularly stressful for children with food allergies.

"If your child has an allergy, make sure you communicate that with all camp personnel and ask if an EpiPen (uses epinephrine to treat anaphylactic shock) is present at every meal," she said.

An estimated 8 of 10 children report being home sick at least once during the camp season. Ashton added that getting mail from family and friends can make a big difference.

"Most importantly, don't forget to have fun!" she said.

Ashton offered another word of advice from the executive director of Camp Dudley YMCA, Andy Bisselle: Parents shouldn't tell their children they will pick them up if they get homesick.

"You really want to give the kids a chance to give it a try," she told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.


Additional Tips From Dr. Ashton:

Even for the most seasoned summer camper, homesickness can and does occur. Camp counselors and staff are experienced in spotting the signs of normal homesickness, but also know when this normal reaction has become more extreme. When a camper cries constantly, doesn't eat at meals and doesn't engage in the daily camp activities, leaving camp and going home is usually recommended. Tips for parents to help your child deal with missing you and home include: giving your child an item of yours to help feel closer to you, sending him/her mail frequently and offering your child a phrase to repeat to him/herself as inspiration, such as 'I can do it.'

In terms of H1N1 flu outbreaks at camp, Executive Director of Camp Dudley YMCA, Andy Bisselle says that his camp is taking a very aggressive policy about identifying campers who may have mild flu-like symptoms sooner rather than later, and placing them in the infirmary with round the clock registered nurses for a period of observation. This will enable the camp nurses and physician to observe the camper for progression of symptoms as well as to minimize spread to other campers. In addition, for campers who may have more severe flu-like symptoms, many camps plan to send children home until they have been symptom-free for 7 days before allowing them to return.

At Camp Dudley YMCA in Westport, NY, this season marks its 125th year in operation. To help make sure the campers are safe as well as happy, the medical staff at camp is prepared to treat anything from minor cuts and abrasions, to broken bones, seizures and severe allergic reactions. All campers must shower daily, brush their teeth, take care of their feet, rest during their mandatory one hour rest period, and eat three hearty and nutritious meals in the dining hall. Though the H1N1 virus has already made its mark on several camps in the country, camps have weathered similar storms in the past with SARS, MRSA infections and Norovirus outbreaks. The key to prevention: frequent hand-washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Add a Comment

by LovingMomma July 12, 2009 11:30 PM EDT

I'm sending my kids to camp for the first time this year! I'm very nervous but very excited for them. When trying to find the camp that would best suit them, I did alot of research. I finally found one close to home and the counselors are great! They gave me many tips on how to prepare my first time campers. The next thing I had to do was figure out what to pack for them. One of the best things that they suggested was getting them a prepaid phone called the Motorola W376 from TracFone. Service is as little as $7 a month for the minimal contact needed to be in touch. They have a feature called the double minutes feature which gives you 120 minutes for under $20 for 3 months. This is great because this is all they're going to need in order to keep in contact with me while they're at camp. The phone must have been designed for children. I bought it for them and as they described it..."ITS SO COOL, MOM!" It has a camera ( so they can send me pictures throughout the summer), and it comes in built in games for the plane rides. They love it.

Reply to this comment

by sam-kiley June 25, 2009 3:41 AM EDT

bonjour, les colonnies de vacances, que de souvenirs, cela dit passer des vacances entre amis dans des camps c'est trés bien, mais dans de bonnes conditions c'est encore mieux, a cet age les enfants ont besoin de beaucoup d'attention, la sécurité, la nourriture, la santé etc..assurer tout cela a des dizaines d'enfants n'est pas une mince affaire, cependant c'est necessaire et nos petits méritent cela. au revoir, coucou docteur ashton.bonne vacances les enfants..

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[LovingMomma]

I'm sending my kids to camp for the first time this year! I'm very nervous but very excited for them. When trying to find the camp that would best suit them, I did alot of research. I finally found one close to home and the counselors are great! They gave me many tips on how to prepare my first time campers. The next thing I had to do was figure out what to pack for them. One of the best things that they suggested was getting them a prepaid phone called the Motorola W376 from TracFone. Service is as little as $7 a month for the minimal contact needed to be in touch. They have a feature called the double minutes feature which gives you 120 minutes for under $20 for 3 months. This is great because this is all they're going to need in order to keep in contact with me while they're at camp. The phone must have been designed for children. I bought it for them and as they described it..."ITS SO COOL, MOM!" It has a camera ( so they can send me pictures throughout the summer), and it comes in built in games for the plane rides. They love it.

[sam-kiley]

bonjour, les colonnies de vacances, que de souvenirs, cela dit passer des vacances entre amis dans des camps c'est trés bien, mais dans de bonnes conditions c'est encore mieux, a cet age les enfants ont besoin de beaucoup d'attention, la sécurité, la nourriture, la santé etc..assurer tout cela a des dizaines d'enfants n'est pas une mince affaire, cependant c'est necessaire et nos petits méritent cela. au revoir, coucou docteur ashton.bonne vacances les enfants..