Summer camp tips for great memories.

As the summer approaches those of you with children may be thinking about summer activities. I often get asked questions about camps because I have a long history of working in them as a camp nurse which offers me a unique opportunity that is different from traditional healthcare settings. I have always loved the diverse and stimulating environment where a wide array of medical situations ranging from minor injuries and illnesses to chronic conditions and emergencies present. Every day is different, requiring a full range of nursing skills and usually a high level of autonomy and problem-solving capabilities. Of course, there is also the unique location benefits as camps are typically located in scenic areas that may be near mountains, lakes, or forests, offering a beautiful, natural setting. I spent years going to a camp on a lake in northern Ontario in Canada with my own children where lifelong friendships and memories were made. I still go to camp, for August, but the wooden cabin has been replaced with a room in a gorgeous villa at a lovely school in Switzerland where children come from all over the world to learn English or French in the morning and then enjoy sporting and cultural activities in the afternoon.  

I love the social interaction and close-knit community atmosphere of a camp environment and believe they can have an amazing impact on young people. Watching them face new challenges, forge friendships and continually push their limits affirms that every step they take is shaping them into confident and resilient individuals. So, I thought I would share a few tips for those of you who might be thinking about camp. I think though, as a grandma of little ones who attend preschool and day care the tips are also relevant there.

What should you look for in a camp from a health perspective?

·        Is the camp accredited, does it meet local/ national standards for health and safety?

·        What health services are available? Is there a nurse or a doctor on site, where is the nearest medical facility?

·        What is the ratio of staff trained in first aid or CPR to camper?

·        Are there policies and procedures for medical emergencies, and are all staff aware of these?

·        How are campers’ medications and special dietary needs handled?

·        How are disciplinary problems, bullying and homesickness dealt with?

Usually, children attending camp should provide a medical history detailing any health issues or routine medications. Be honest here, if your child takes medication, list it, if they have a chronic condition list it. The nurse or counsellor will ensure your child gets what they need with the minimum of fuss, no judgement and no stigma. But if the staff don’t know, your child may suffer needlessly, and it can be dangerous. Please don’t send them to camp with a communicable disease/illness – delay their start, if necessary, in the interests of the child and camp. And that includes Head Lice- treat it before they go and let the nurse know what you have done. At sleep away camp head lice can spread quickly because the children love to be in close proximity to each other - heads together to read, look at the stars, make music, look at insects and the lice can crawl between heads.

Children should have immediate access to medications for asthma and allergies, so make sure there is a protocol for access and that your child knows it. This is not the time to ‘take a holiday ‘from medications for behavioural or mental health issues – make sure you send them!

If your child takes daily medications make sure you send supplies and a copy of the prescription, this is especially important if they are travelling alone through customs. Check with the embassy if specific medications are restricted. Ensure the camp has a secure and accessible place for storing medications and that staff are trained in administering them if necessary. Camps usually have a stock of over the counter medications, so don’t send the ‘just in case’ medications.

Check the meal situation if you have a child with a food allergy. Understanding how camps in different countries cater to special dietary needs is crucial. For instance, American camps might be more familiar with dealing with peanut allergies and gluten intolerance. Always communicate any dietary restrictions your child has and confirm that the camp can accommodate them.

Water based activities, excursions, vehicles.

·        Who supervises the children, what is their age, experience and first aid training?

·        What are the qualifications of staff supervising water-based activities, are they trained for the type of facility – beach, lake, pool?

·        Are life jackets compulsory for all out of camp water-based activities?

·        Are there properly trained swim instructors to assess the swimming level of campers?

·        Is there a designated swimming area away from motorised vehicles?

·        Is a buddy system employed (No swimming alone)?

·        Are there protocols for out of camp excursions (canoe, sailing and hiking)?

·        Is the out of camp excursion leader a certified first aider, with experience to manage an emergency situation in the activity?

·        Are there devices for communication between campers, leaders and camp?

·        Will the children be supervised at all times, d they have free time when they can leave the camp?

·        Are vehicles allowed on camp, do vehicles have seat belts and is their use required, who is responsible for driving campers out of camp?  (Let the camp staff know if your child gets car sick).

Activity-specific training

•                 Ensure that the camp provides appropriate gear and safety equipment.

•               Verify that the staff has specific training relevant to the activities offered (e.g., rock climbing, surfing, or skiing).

Homesickness and discipline.

A trip to camp is exciting but most children feel a little homesick at first and it usually passes within a few days. However, it does depend on the child’s age, experience away from home, the warmth with which they are received at camp, and the preparations of the child for camp by the parent. The experience will be enjoyed more fully if positive discussions about camp and the child’s ability to manage homesickness take place starting several weeks prior to camp. Involve the child in preparations for camp and arrange sleepovers away from home. Make the departure casual, an exciting or emotional farewell can add to the distress. If possible, send along a favourite teddy, pillow, small blanket or similar.

Please don’t make pre-arranged plans with your child to pick them up if they are homesick. Once it is identified that they are homesick, it is usually easy to sort it out. If they send a sad message or call crying please call the camp and speak to a director and don’t rush to camp.

Please teach your child to talk to a counsellor or the nurse about any problems they are having, issues that make them feel uncomfortable or unhappy during their stay. This allows the issue to be dealt with promptly. In my early camp days, there were no mobile phones, and I was often in a rural setting with very poor communications. Yes, it was scary for me in emergencies, but children couldn’t be in touch with parents all day!! In today's connected world, the instinct to immediately reach out to parents at the first hint of an issue is understandable, but it may not always be beneficial for a child's development. Camp provides a unique opportunity for children to learn some independence. Encouraging children to speak with a counsellor or nurse about their concerns before contacting their parents can be incredibly empowering. It teaches them to navigate challenges and seek appropriate solutions, fostering a sense of self-reliance and confidence.

When choosing a camp, consider the cultural setting and language spoken at the camp. For non-native speakers, check if the camp provides language support or if sessions are conducted in a language your child understands. Understanding cultural norms and practices can also help in better preparing your child for their stay. 16-year-olds from Luxembourg going to the US may wind up in trouble if they don’t know the local drinking age!

Health Insurance and Medical Care

Verify whether your health insurance provides coverage in the country where the camp is located. It might be necessary to purchase additional travel health insurance. For camps in Europe, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country.

For camps that involve international travel:

·        Ensure your child’s passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel.

·        Familiarise yourself with visa requirements if the camp is in a country that requires a visa for entry.

·        Discuss safety protocols for travelling abroad and what your child should do in an emergency.

Camps provide great experiences for children; mine all have fond memories of their time spent in the various camps they attended, and I keep going back. I hope you enjoyed this article, do let me know if there are any topics you would like to read about.

Carrie Cannon  carrie@carriecannonhealth.com