Health and Wellness

healthy summer, happy kids

Medications

The State of Maine has strict ordinances in place about what summer camp nurses can and cannot do in regards to children’s prescription medications. For this reason, we are required to partner with a pre-packaged medication service, even though we understand this adds an additional and annoying step for our families. Because this is required by law, we cannot ask our nurses to break the law by making an exception for your child. Using a service like CampMeds allows our nurses to dispense medications safely and quickly, minimizing the time campers need to wait in line, which allows them to return to their camp day faster.

All prescription medications in 2023 must come through CampMeds. Last summer as we transitioned to a new company we did not charge families a penalty for not using CampMeds, but for 2023 families will be charged a $200 penalty for each medication sent directly to camp. There is a one-time CampMeds registration fee of $65/75 depending on session length. Please see the CampMeds information here and in your account, and register for CampMeds here. All medications must be received by CampMeds 30 days in advance of your child’s first day of camp (May 26 for Session I and June 20 for Session II). Prescriptions received after that deadline will incur a penalty from CampMeds. No prescriptions will be accepted by CampMeds within fifteen days of the first day of your camp session.

Eye Care

If your child wears glasses they are required to come to camp with a second pair. Glasses are sometimes broken or misplaced at camp, and even a day without glasses at camp can feel isolating and scary for a camper. If your child wears contact lenses, please send them with extra lenses and cleaning solution.

Orthodontics

We are equipped at camp to handle minor repairs to braces. Should emergency attention be needed, we will bring your child to a local orthodontist unless we’re instructed otherwise on your child’s medical form.

Lice

Please check your child’s head for lice in the days leading up to camp and treat, to be sure your child is completely lice-free before camp. All campers and staff are checked for lice upon arrival. Any children found with lice will be treated by professionals, with the family billed for the cost of treatment.

Bedwetting

Each child develops at their own pace, and for some campers, bedwetting can be a challenge, regardless of their age. We understand this can be a source of embarrassment for some campers, and we handle bedwetting sensitively and confidentially, with an individualized proactive plan that allows campers to feel empowered and comfortable while at camp. If you anticipate that your child will wet their bed while at camp, please be in touch so we can make a plan with you and your child.

No Drug-Free Vacations

Occasionally, parents choose to discontinue medications for their child while they’re at camp. The thinking is that if camp is a more relaxed environment than the structure of school, it’s a good time for a break. In our experience, the opposite is true. While many children with behavioral challenges or attention difficulties thrive at camp, campers need their skills such as impulse control and focus  just like at school, and not having the tools they rely on can put campers at a deficit, impacting their ability to make friends, follow directions, and participate successfully in communal cabin life.

Consult your child’s physician prior to any medication changes for the summer. If there has been a change in medication within three months of attending camp, please make us aware of these changes so we can work collaboratively in support of your child’s successful camp experience.