TEACH PROPER MEDICAL SELF-CARE
There are two medical things your child should know before she goes to overnight camp. First, if she takes medicines, she should know what they are for and how to take them. Second, she should know a little bit about first aid for very minor injuries.
It is an ACA standard, and a law in many states, that both prescription and non-prescription medicines at camp be kept under lock and key. Most often, medicines are locked up at the camp’s health
center. Camps do this to prevent children from accidentally taking too much or the wrong medication. (Some exceptions are: sunscreen, bug repellent, asthma inhalers, and EpiPens®. Camps do allow kids to keep these products with them.) Because medicines are kept locked up, most camps have a scheduled time when campers who take medicine are supposed to come to the health center or infirmary. For example, there might be a “med call” before and after mealtime. Because camp staff won’t always remind your child to take his medicine, he needs to learn proper medical self-care.
Kids should know why they take the medicine they do. Understanding why they take medicine helps them understand why it’s important to remember to take it. We’ve met a surprising number of children who know nothing about the medicine they take each day. They’ve told us things like, “It’s my pill. I take one every day.” Their parents have kept them in the dark. Naturally, these kids sometimes forget to take their pills because they don’t know why they should. To parents who have already taught their child why he takes a certain medicine, bravo! There’s a much better chance your child will remember to take his medicine at camp if he understands why it’s important.
Many kids with complex medication regimens, such as those with diabetes or cancer, know exactly what they take, why they take it, and when they need it. Other kids with complex medical issues attend special medical needs camps to learn more about caring for themselves.
There are two medical things your child should know before she goes to overnight camp. First, if she takes medicines, she should know what they are for and how to take them. Second, she should know a little bit about first aid for very minor injuries.
It is an ACA standard, and a law in many states, that both prescription and non-prescription medicines at camp be kept under lock and key. Most often, medicines are locked up at the camp’s health
Kids should know why they take the medicine they do. Understanding why they take medicine helps them understand why it’s important to remember to take it. We’ve met a surprising number of children who know nothing about the medicine they take each day. They’ve told us things like, “It’s my pill. I take one every day.” Their parents have kept them in the dark. Naturally, these kids sometimes forget to take their pills because they don’t know why they should. To parents who have already taught their child why he takes a certain medicine, bravo! There’s a much better chance your child will remember to take his medicine at camp if he understands why it’s important.
Many kids with complex medication regimens, such as those with diabetes or cancer, know exactly what they take, why they take it, and when they need it. Other kids with complex medical issues attend special medical needs camps to learn more about caring for themselves.
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