Health Care at Camp
Safety, Compliance, Forms
Our camps follow all safety and risk management guidelines set by Girl Scouts of the USA, the local, state and Federal Boards of Health, and the American Camp Association. All camps in Massachusetts must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430.000). New Hampshire camps are in compliance with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services Rules (Part Env-WS 1120.00). In addition, the Board of Health in the town in which the camp is located licenses each camp.
Every camper’s safety and well-being is our chief concern. A Health Supervisor staffs the camp Health Center and a local physician is on call. All campers are required to have a physical examination within 24 months prior to arriving at camp. All health forms, including inoculation update, must be completed and signed by a physician each year. No child may attend camp without submitting the health form.
American Camp Association accreditation means that the camp you are considering for your child cares enough to undergo a thorough (over 250 standards) review of its operation – from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices at the camp reflect the most up-to date, research based standards in camp operation.
Care of Minor Injuries, Medications
Care of Minor Injuries
Staff members report any injury to the Health Care Supervisor as soon as possible. The Supervisor assesses the severity of the wound and determines if the child may be treated safely at camp or should be seen by the Health Care Consultant or emergency personnel at the local hospital.
Necessary First Aid is always given by qualified persons. Should an injury occur while campers are out of camp, local emergency services are called first and then the Camp Director is notified. If a camper is transported to the Health Care Consultant or the local hospital, a staff member is sent with the camper along with the camper’s health form and signed permission to treat form. The parent/guardian is contacted as soon as possible.
Medications
State regulations cover the storage and dispensing of medications. All must come to camp in original containers and be stored by the Health Care Supervisor in locked compartments in the camp health center. Exceptions to storage by the Health Care Supervisor are authorized for medications for treatment of allergies and asthma. Questions about these medications should be raised with the camp prior to the child’s arrival. To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend that your child continue the medications she needs during the school year at summer camp. If prescription medications are brought to camp, the container must have a pharmacy label showing the prescription number, patient’s name, date filled, physician’s name, name of medication and directions for use. Any camper coming to camp with a prescription Epi-pen® or inhaler, must bring two of either, one for the infirmary and one for the unit. The Health Care Supervisor dispenses medication according to the directions. If a camper refuses to take prescribed medications, this refusal is documented in the health log and the parent/guardian is notified. If your camper is taking the bus to camp, all medications must be placed in a labeled zip-loc bag with campers name and address and handed directly to the bus monitor by parent/guardian.
Complete Health Care policy for council camps is available to a parent or guardian upon request to Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, 95 Berkeley St. Boston, MA 02116
Mild Illness, Health Care Consultant and Supervisor
Care of Campers Who Appear Mildly Ill
Staff members are responsible for reporting any signs of illness to the Health Care Supervisor who assesses each situation. The Health Care Supervisor may administer over-the-counter medications she believes warranted if they are authorized by the parent/guardian. If the Health Care Supervisor determines the child should be transported home or be seen by the Health Care Consultant, she informs the Camp Director and arrangements are made. In either of these situations, the parent/guardian is contacted as soon as possible
Health care at council camps is administered under regulations established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) or the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. These regulations require camps to provide the following health care personnel:
Health Care Consultant: This is a licensed physician. The Health Care Consultant assists in the development of the camp's health care policy; develops and signs written orders for the Health Care Supervisor; and is available for consultation at all times. The Health Care Consultant is not present at camp.
Health Care Supervisor: This person is, by regulation, present at the camp at all times and has, at a minimum, First Aid and CPR certification. The Health Care Consultant authorizes the Health Care Supervisor to be in charge of health matters at camp on a day-to-day basis and to dispense medications.