Shortly, nearly 10 million children be going to . But before they go, health experts are issuing strong new advice to both parents and camp directors, and recommending new precautions to protect campers’ health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Camp Association created an official policy statement about camper health and Summer Camp responsibilities. Edward Walton, M.D. is lead author of the paper.
the key to this policy is parents need to thoroughly determine whether a camp is right for their child’. Don’t just assume its great because your childs friends are going. One need to assess if it meets their childs mental, emotional and physical well-being, as well as their interests and skills.
That means, Walton says, that camps should provide parents with a complete picture of what their programs involve, whether it’s strenuous sports, rough wilderness camping, horseback riding — or intense music or computer practice. If an activity raises risk for kids with certain medical conditions, for instance scuba diving and asthma, camps should tell parents about those risks ahead of time.
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.”
With the new guideline, the AAP also recommends that its members — the pediatricians who treat many of America’s children — get involved with camps in their local area to make sure that health policies and standing orders are up-to-date. They can also act as medical backups to the nurses and paramedic-trained camp health officers on site at camps — instead of the local emergency room or urgent care center, which Walton’s study found was the case 75 percent of the time.
The guideline recommends that parents teach their children how to use rescue inhalers or EpiPens, before the kids go to camp. Parents need talk with camp directors about conditions that might require children to use their devices.
Delay in not having these items handy can have real health consequences for the child.
These guideline are set for traditional summer camps not for those camps with special needs. Yet it is recommend that all camps work with local pediatricians and health professionals to ensure that the best health care is in place for the children.
To learn more about selecting the Right Summer Camp for your child visit a FREE resource Summer Camp Advice at
Swift Nature Camp is a for boys and girls ages 6-15. Our focus is to blend traditional outdoors summer camp activities with that of a that promotes an appreciation for nature.