Children will be spending a majority of their time outdoors and in close proximity with each other during the summer.
They can easily be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases in the summer camp setting.
Making sure your kids are up to date on their vaccinations and getting a physical before going to summer camp are highly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The vaccines for tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), meningitis, hepatitis A, measles, mumps, and chickenpox provide the best across-the-board coverage. These illnesses spread easily through close proximity, contaminated food and even cuts and scrapes.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that parents talk to camp officials about any health issues concerning their children. Be sure the camp has supplies of medications or allergies concerning your child and that counselors have received emergency medical training.
“Having a plan in place — and making sure that staff are properly trained — will help everyone feel more relaxed and eager to enjoy the experience,” Dr. Michael Ambrose said in an Academy news release. “A healthy camper is a happy camper.”
Parents should teach their children to use any medical equipment they need, such as inhalers and epinephrine injectors.
Enclosing a laminated identification card with your child’s personal identification information and medical history in their bag can help camp staff to act quickly in case of an emergency.