Summer camp can be a great experience for children of all ages. It's a chance for them to make new friends, learn new skills, and have fun in a safe and supportive environment. By now, you’ve probably already selected the best camp for your kid and completed the registration, so what are the next steps to make sure you’re ready when departure day arrives?In addition to preparing your child (and possibly yourself) for any separation anxiety, there are a few healthcare needs you’ll probably want to consider before you send your child to summer camp.
- Chronic health conditions. If your child has any chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or allergies, be sure to let the camp know about the condition and instructions for treating the condition, particularly in case of an emergency. Use Kith + Kin to track these conditions so that you can easily share important info with camp organizers.
- Medications. If your child takes any medications, be sure to pack enough for the entire camp session if they’re at a sleepaway camp. You should also pack a copy of your child's medication list and a letter from their doctor authorizing the camp to give them their medications. To make things even easier, you can create a digital copy of both of these items in Kith + Kin, and then share it directly with the camp director or health team.
- Immunizations. Make sure to understand the vaccination requirements at your camp and ensure your child is up to date on all their immunizations before they go. This will help protect them from diseases that are common in summer camps, such as chickenpox, measles, and mumps. Use Kith + Kin to store proof of immunizations and track dates for renewable vaccines (like TDAP) so they’re easily accessible when you need them.
- Sun protection. Make sure your child knows how to protect themselves from the sun, including wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. If your kiddo has eczema, consider testing a few sunscreens before camp time to make sure you send them away with one that doesn’t cause skin irritation (you can use Kith + Kin to track any allergic reactions).
- Insect repellent. Make sure your child knows how to use insect repellent to protect themselves from mosquito bites. Find the best bug repellent for kids as recommended by pediatricians.
- First-aid kit. Pack a first-aid kit with basic supplies, such as bandages, antibiotic ointment, and topical creams for pain or itch relief. To save money, you can create your own first aid kit or even let your kids do it themselves.
- Emergency contact information. Make sure your child knows their emergency contact information and how to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. Turn on KinKeeper’s Emergency Access QR code to provide to an EMT, first responder at the fingertips of camp staff in case of an emergency.
