Health

How To Prepare Your Kids for Summer Camp

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 31, 2002 / 8:42 AM EST / CBS

'Tis the season for summer camps, and our health correspondent Dr. Emily Senay has some safety tips for parents who are sending their kids away.

Should parents know what medical facilities are available before they send their kids to a camp?

Yes. When choosing a camp, you should find out the basics such as what are the health policies and protocols for that particular camp. Accredited camps are camps that meet the requirements of the American Camping Association.

They should be able to provide

Services such as emergency transportation.

A staff member on site at all times who is trained in emergency medical procedures like CPR.

The ability to store and dispense medicines and protocols for management of any medical problem that might come up.

But even if the camp meets those standards there are still other things parents need to be responsible for.

What if the camp isn't accredited? Does that mean they don't have these same provisions?

Not necessarily. There are many terrific camps that are not accredited and have all the same facilities and support. Some camps are not accredited because they feel they have their own set of standards or may be too costly. But a parent should ask why the camp is not accredited and what are their medical provisions in case of an emergency.

So what should parents do to get their kids ready medically before they send them off?
If you haven't done the following yet, you should do it now because the next few weeks are when camps begin. A physical exam for the child must have been done within the previous 24 months. A doctor should sign it. If the child has a special medical need it must be completed within the previous 6 months. This of course needs to be filed with the camp. A medical history that includes past medical history, allergies, and medications that are necessary must be supplied to the camp by the first day. Immunization schedules recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and as required by the state and local health departments must be met. So you should make sure your kids are up-to-date before the first day of the camp. Finally a contact list in case of emergency is necessary, but if the child has a significant medical problem this should include numbers of the physician.

What about medications? How are kids, especially younger ones, supposed to take them at camp?

Any medication that the child brings to camp should be coordinated with the staff. Accredited camps require that all prescription and non-prescription medications are to be collected and secured--that is, locked in the healthcare center. Often the nurse will dispense medications at mealtimes or as needed. The requirements also say that non-prescription drugs should be dispensed only under the written healthcare procedures of the camp or with the signed approval of the parents. So in the ideal world, the nurse would dispese medications such as Tylenol.

What if your child has a serious medical condition like asthma or a serious food allergy?

A parent must make sure the camp has the qualified staff to handle the situation. An accredited camp will ask the parent what medication the child is on. Even with a child who is medically fragile, the administration of drugs should always be supervised. The more a camp director knows about the need of a child, the better care they can get.

Food allergies, or any allergy for that matter, must be very carefully communicated to the camp staff.

Are there special camps for medically fragile children?

Yes, there are camps that serve medically fragile children. There are camps for kids with asthma, Spina bifida, cancer, AIDS, and even burn camps. Some camps even offer scholarships to help defray the cost. There is a camp for everyone. A parent should go to the American Camping Association's Web site and search for the type of camp thy need.

What happens if a child is injured at camp?

Parents need to ask what the camp policy is in regard to an emergency situation while the child is at the camp to make sure the parent and the camp are in synch. If a child has to go to the hospital, most hospitals will need a parent's permission before anything can be done.

The most common sickness of all--homesickness. What can you do about that?

Homesickness is natural. Every child should understand that it doesn't mean anything terrible. They should take something from home--for example, a picture, a blanket. Parents should be positive about the experience with their kids and reinforce that everything will be okay. Camp staffers are very experienced in homesickness and parents should also ask them how they handle it during the interview process. Parents tend to miss the kids more.

Camp medical checklist:

A current physical exam.

A past and present medical history.

An updated immunization schedule.

An emergency contact list (includes physician's number).

For more information, parents can visit the American Camping Association's Web site at www.acacamps.org or call 1-800-428-CAMP.