Health Care Readiness

How to ensure your child’s medical needs are met.

BY MARY LAVIN

Ready” for camp. There are so many aspects of readiness. But what if you have questions about your child’s health care needs?

Children who are attending camp may not have any specific health care needs but occasionally require a Band-aid, or get a bee sting, or have a headache. But perhaps your child has a medical condition such as asthma or serious allergies. They might take medication on a regular basis or need a specialized diet.

As a camp health care professional, I’ll describe the process of health care readiness. First and foremost, there must be a trusting relationship between families and health care staff. Before campers arrive, nursing staff review health histories and special health care needs. It’s vital that families share all the information about their camper’s health so we can provide optimal care — whether your child has had issues with bedwetting, mental health, hygiene, social or other concerns, please be sure to be honest and open.

On the camp side, nurses and health care staff work diligently prior to camp to ensure that the health care needs for all campers and staff can be met. We refine communicable disease plans, review medications and vaccination status required for entry to camp. We do safety inspections, order first aid supplies, clean and ensure Covid-19 readiness. This summer, camps will once again follow CDC and American Camp Association (ACA) guidelines.

Nursing staff at camp will connect with parents either before camp or on opening day to review specific needs, receive medications and store any health care equipment necessary for the well-being of the camper. Some camps maintain over-thecounter medications; others require that each camper bring their own items and most have rules about where medication or other items can be kept — be sure to check with your child’s camp. If your child has asthma or an allergy that might require emergency intervention, be sure to review plans to accommodate medication needs.

Talk to your child before camp about telling a counselor or nurse when they are not feeling well, are hurt or have questions about their medical needs. Role playing (“What would you do if?”) can be a great way to start the conversation with your new camper. A video or in-person conversation with the nurse beforehand can help alleviate concerns as well.

Once camp is underway, nursing staff have a process for medication delivery, first aid, and camper and counselor support. Often, campers have a “camper care team” that works with the medical staff to help campers and staff. Many camps require a nurse to be present on the camp grounds at all times.

Nurses often participate in or visit many of the camp activities, which allows the opportunity to assess children and health care needs throughout the day and evening. It is amazing how much you can evaluate in the dining hall — nurses see who is eating, who isn’t, who is talking to friends, who has appropriate clothing for the weather, who is participating with cabin staff, who has recovered from their headache or tummy ache, etc. Nurses check in with cabin staff frequently. Nurses also help deal with anxiety or homesickness, collaborating with counselors using strategies to help build confidence and resilience.

Summer camp experience is the foundation for learning many life skills, navigating new experiences (with adult support), developing creativity without social media, enjoying the outdoors and developing friendships with different people. Understanding how to get ready for camp, including support for any medical and health concerns, will help ensure your camper’s success. �

Mary Lavin is a nurse practitioner who has worked in a variety of roles for the past 30 years at Camp Marist, located on Ossipee Lake in Effingham. Camp Marist is an international coed Catholic overnight camp for campers ages 6-16. For more information, visit www.campmarist.org.