Community Health at Camp
The health and wellness of our camp community is our first priority. In keeping our Campers and Staff members health a priority, we ask our Parents, Guardians and extended Family Members to do their part in partnering with us to keep everyone at camp, and at home, health and well.
Partnership with Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care
Camps ‘R’ Us and Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care have teamed up to provide urgent care services, virtual care and COVID-19 testing to Campers and Camp Staff all summer long.
- Preferred access for Campers to have Virtual Visits with the ability to conference in a Parent/Guardian to attend the visit. Virtual Visits can be done with a pediatrician, without leaving camp!
- Preferred access for Campers to be seen in-center, same day, with the amazing team at your local Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care location
- All centers have x-ray on site, as well as point of care and lab testing
- Same day appointments and referrals as needed to specialists within the Northwell Health network
- Support episodic COVID-19 rapid testing for Staff and Campers
- Open scheduling for pre-camp physicals (*may not be covered by insurance)
- Medical guidance for camp management from the Clinical Leadership team at Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care
- A quick & easy way to schedule and register online
Learn more about this partnership, and schedule a visit.
Health at Camp Starts at Home
Campers should only attend camp if they are healthy and feeling well. Please monitor your child’s health at home before bringing them to camp. Children should stay at home if they show any signs or symptoms of any potential infectious diseases:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Unexplained loss of taste or smell
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
Campers who become ill with any of the above symptoms will be recommended for early dismissal. If a Camper develops a fever over 100.4º F, or has diarrhea or vomiting, they must be free of those symptoms for at least 24 hours before returning to camp, with a note from a healthcare provider.
Handwashing and Sanitizing
Hand washing and sanitizing stations are located throughout camp. Campers and Staff must wash their hands and/or sanitize their hands between each activity period, as well as before and after lunch periods and snack times.
Health and Wellness Practices
Each campus has a designated Health Office with an area for sick Campers, in addition to a dedicated quarantine space for Campers with communicable diseases. Health-trained Camp Staff are certified in American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, Responding to Emergencies First Aid, and Anaphylaxis Response. A Registered Nurse is on call throughout the Camp Season. Only Certified Health Designees may provide care to Campers and communicate illness and/or injuries to Parents/Guardians. Calls are placed following treatment. Each campus is equipped with at least one AED device.
In the event of a medical emergency with a Camper that cannot be treated at camp, Staff will first call 911 and then immediately contact Parents/Guardians.
Health Forms
Campers are required to have on file a current health history, record of immunizations, and a physical exam given by a licensed healthcare provider within one year of their first day of camp.
Forms are available in your camp account after completing your registration. The health history is completed online, and can be updated at any time. You may use our physical exam and immunization forms, and we also accept standardized forms from healthcare providers.
All health forms can be scanned and uploaded to your camp account.
Medication Policies
If your child needs to take medication at camp, it must be delivered in its original packaging by an authorized adult and given to the Health Designee (Program Director). All medications must be accompanied by a healthcare provider’s written order/prescription. Campers may not carry any medication in their pockets or backpack, including over the counter medication.
Medications are stored in a locked container, accessible to Health trained Staff. Off campus, Health Staff carry all medications for their Campers in their First Aid Kit. All communications about medications must be made in writing directly to your child’s Group Leader or a Camp Director. Medications may be picked up by an authorized adult on your child’s last day of camp. All unclaimed medication will be discarded as of the last day of the camp season.
Administering Medication at Camp
Medications will be stored in a locked container in the health office, accessible only to health certified Staff.
Campers must be able to self-administer all medications and can do so when the medication is brought to camp in the original container, with the doctor’s written orders authorizing the camp to assist with medication. The medication must be labeled with the child’s name, proper dosage and time to be given exactly as it came from the pharmacy.
Over the Counter (OTC) Medications
Over the counter medications (i.e. Benadryl, Advil, Ear drops, etc.) cannot be given to campers without authorization from a healthcare provider. OTC medication must be brought to camp by an authorized adult in the original container, labeled with the child’s name, proper dosage and the exact time to be given.
Campers must be able self administer all medications with assistance from Camp Staff. In the event that it becomes necessary to treat your child, you will be notified.
Auto Injectors (Epi-Pen®, Auvi-Q®, Adrenaclick®)
If your child requires an auto injector, an authorized adult must provide the injector on the first day of camp with complete written orders from the child’s healthcare provider.
The auto injector must be in its original packaging, labeled exactly how it came from the pharmacy. Health trained Staff will assist your child with the auto injector if there is suspected anaphylaxis. You will be contacted immediately, and your child will be taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital Emergency Room.
Other Emergency Medication
Nasal rescue seizure medication may be given to a Camper only when the campers physician and parent authorize the Health Designee- Campus Director or Program Director to do so in writing.
Additional Health and Wellness Policies
More information about our health and wellness policies is available in our Parent Guide.
