Is Your Summer Camp Healthy
Ten million children be going to Summer Youth Camps. As Parents we need to consider some new advice to protect campers’ health.
The new guideline, published in the June issue of the journal Pediatrics, was written by a team led by a University of Michigan Health System physician who specializes in camp health. Edward Walton, M.D., FAAP, FACEP, is lead author of the paper, which is an official policy statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics and was produced in conjunction with the American Camp Association.
The new policy statement for the first time advises parents to thoroughly assess whether a camp is right for their child’s mental, emotional and physical well-being, as well as their interests and skills.
Camps need to give parents a complete and truthful view of what their camp activities involve. All summer camps whether it’s strenuous sports, rough wilderness camping, horseback riding — or intense music or computer practice, need to let the parent know what is expected of each child. Camps need to let parent know that some activities might be more difficult for some children.
Prevention of homesickness begins long before camp starts. Parents and doctors alike need to be involved.
“If parents discuss camp positively, avoid expressing doubts about a child’s ability to avoid homesickness, involve the child in preparations for camp, and arrange brief trips or sleep-overs away from home, children will be better prepared to go to camp,” says Walton. “Parents should also avoid making pre-arranged plans with their children about picking them up if they get homesick.”
The new guideline recommends that the pediatricians get involved with their local camps to ensure sure that standing orders are up-to-date. They can also act as medical backups instead of the local emergency rooms at hospitals.
Asthma and allergies also bring new challenges for camps. Parents need to teach their children how to use rescue inhalers or EpiPens (allergy-calming epinephrine injection devices). With or with out the summer camp. Camps need to help children have them nearby at all times.
“The delay that can occur when another camper or counselor has to run to the camp nurse’s office to grab an inhaler for a child who is having an asthma attack or an EpiPen for a child who has been stung by a bee can have real health consequences,” says Walton.
The new guideline does not give detailed recommendations for camps that serve only children with special medical circumstances, such as cancer, physical disabilities, blindness, deafness or diabetes. But it recommends that camps work with local pediatricians and health professionals to assess children’s fitness to take part in such camps, and establish programs specific to them.
Selecting the best Summer Camp for your child is easier with a FREE resource Summer Camp Advice Find a Summer Camp
Swift Nature Camp is a Minnesota Summer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional outdoors summer camp activities with that of a Science At Summer Camps that promotes an appreciation for nature.
Bookmark, Share and Print this How To Article
