Ask The Nurse: What medications should my child bring to camp?
Great question! Any medication prescribed by your child’s doctor should be brought to camp with you and listed on the health form signed by your child’s physician. This includes daily and as needed medications. If your child is prescribed daily over the counter (OTC) medications like miralax, melatonin, or allergy medications, please send that medication with your camper, and ensure it is listed on your physician health form. We want your child’s health routines to be as close to their routine at home. This allows for the smoothest, healthiest transition at Falcon. Any medication sent, OTC or prescription, must be in its original container.
No need to send common OTC medications to camp, if they are not part of your child’s regular routine. We have most of the basics on hand in case your camper were to need it. We have acetaminophen for headaches, ibuprofen for muscle aches, creams for poison ivy, miralax for the occasional constipation and more. On page 2 of our health history form there is a section for parents to sign giving the nurse permission to administer as needed medications. If you are not comfortable with your child getting any of these medications we ask that you cross those meds out.
One of the many American Camp Association (ACA) standards we follow is that all medications in camp are stored in a safe, locked area. This area is in the Health Center. Your camper is not permitted to keep any medication (prescription or OTC) in their cabin. There are very few exceptions to this rule we can make at Falcon. These exceptions are made on a case by case basis after discussion with the nurse, the camper and guardians. For example, Holly Hawk uses prescription acne cream every night before bed. After discussing the medication use with Holly and confirming she understands the medication, Holly can keep that cream with her toiletries to use each night after showering.
If your child takes a multivitamin all year long then go ahead and send them to camp with it listed on the health form signed by their physician. However, if your child is not taking a multivitamin everyday at home then they do not need one at camp. We eat three, very well balanced meals a day with lots of choices at each meal. I can only speak for myself but my children eat far better at camp than they do at home! Some days I consider it a win when I get a healthy dinner on the table – I know some of you busy parents can relate!
Nurse Lynne and I are always available by email if you have questions about specific medications for your camper. NurseLynne@falconcamp.com or NurseJackie@falconcamp.com. We are happy to help!
