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Keep Kids Safe at Camp by Gina Roberts-Grey Before Jenny Bigsby enrolled her two children in day camp last year, she poured over listings of possible activities and contemplated what camps would or would not fit into her family’s budget. "What I never realized I needed to be looking at was the camp’s procedures for emergencies and accidents," says Bigsby, whose then 11-year-old son was injured by a fellow camper. "I was horrified when I found out that the incident occurred hours before I picked him up. I didn’t expect he would get injured at a local day camp or that it would take so long to inform me of the incident." Thankfully, Bigsby’s son was not seriously injured or placed in a life-threatening situation, however the family’s experience raises concerns over sending children to summer camp. Parents need to ensure that their child's personal, medical and emotional safety is preserved at camp, know the camp’s safety and accident policies and procedures and understand the camp’s policies regarding bullying, arguments and fights.
Forcing the issue Just because a child is old enough to go away to summer camp doesn't necessarily mean he or she is emotionally ready for it. To ensure that the experience is healthy for both children and parents, the YMCA suggests reviewing the following questions to determine if your child is ready for camp:
Comfort concerns Children sense apprehension, fear, or concern in their parents. If you are concerned about your child’s safety, he will most likely pick up on it, and demonstrate those fears. "Before easing a child’s insecurities, parents need to calm their own fears about sending kids to camp," says clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Molly Barrow Ph.D. of New York, New York.
Diagnosing camp illnesses "You absolutely want to choose an accredited camp and be sure that the camp that has the proper facilities to handle medical emergencies," says pediatrician, Dr. Daniel Levy, M.D. of Owings Mills, Maryland. Overnight camps should have a full time registered nurse, an infirmary, a medical director, and a facility close by in case something should happen. Dr. Levy adds, "To prevent some minor illnesses and accidents, teach your children about the importance of wearing sunscreen and bug spray, showering every day and eating well."
Check up on camp According to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a good camp will have written health policies and protocols. Dr. Levy, a spokesperson for the AAP states, "All children attending the camp should be required to have had a complete exam by a doctor in the past year and be up-to-date on all immunizations." This will help protect the safety of your child’s health and prevent the spread of disease. If your child requires daily medication or injections, ask who will be administering or supervising the doses and how the medicine is stored and accessed. "Camps should have trained employees that are capable of administering a child’s medicine. Occasionally, a non-medical camp counselor or administrative personnel will administer medicine, and this can result in an unfortunate accident," says Dr. Levy.
Disclose details Before camp starts, make sure the leaders have a detailed health history of your child including any significant illnesses, operations, injuries, allergies, and any current medical problems. Include proper treatment plans for conditions such as asthma, bee stings or insect bites. Make sure the camp has your current contact information as well as the current complete contact information in the event of an emergency.
Analyze activities Ask questions about camp activities. If your child will be involved in boating, swimming, or other water sports, you'll want to know the camp’s policy on life jackets and supervision, as well as the CPR certification of chaperones. If your child has allergies to animals, you’ll need to know if he’s riding horses, or if cats are roving around the camp.
The mess hall Food allergies or religious beliefs are just a few reasons that parents need to know what their children will be eating at camp. Whether your child will only enjoy a light snack or eat all his meals at camp, review the camp’s dietary guidelines and clearly communicate any specific dietary needs.
Riding along The American Camping Association advises parents to ask about the type of transportation used at the camp. It is important to understand whether vans, buses, or personal vehicles will be used and how often those vehicles are inspected by qualified mechanics. Ask for verification that all vehicles used to transport your child while attending the camp are properly insured and have properly functioning safety restraints.
Empower kids
to preserve their safety
Safeguard possessions Label all of your child’s belongings to keep them from being lost, misplaced or stolen at camp. Even toiletries such as toothbrushes, retainer cases and hair care accessories should have his name on them to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. If you thought about it long enough, you could undoubtedly come up with dozens of scenarios your child might encounter at camp. Doing your homework gives you confidence in the level of experience and training of the camp staff and helps your entire family relax and enjoy the summer. For additional information about summer camp call 800/428-CAMP to request a free copy of the American Camping Association’s "Summer Camp Answer Book". |
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