Saturday, March 27, 2010

Is Your Summer Camp Safe

By Jeff Lorenz

Millions of children go to Summer Youth Camps. Yet before you even commit to find that perfect place for your child experts suggest you make sure it is safe.

Recent guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the ACA (American Camp Association.) suggest parents be aware of their camps health and safety policies. Dr. Walton, is lead author of the paper and official policy statements.

This new policy suggests parents thoroughly determine if they are sending their child to the "right " summer camp. Does it meet the child's mental, emotional and physical well-being, as well as their interests and skills.

Camps need to give parents a complete and truthful view of what their camp activities involve. All summer camps whether it's strenuous sports, rough wilderness camping, horseback riding -- or intense music or computer practice, need to let the parent know what is expected of each child. Camps need to let parent know that some activities might be more difficult for some children.

Prevention of homesickness begins long before camp starts. Parents and doctors alike need to be involved.

Parents should also avoid making pre-arranged plans with their children about picking them up if they get homesick. This only gets kids thinking about the way out of camp. Only should parents discuss camp positively, avoid expressing doubts about a child's ability to avoid homesickness.

The American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines say the pediatricians need to be involved with camps in their local have up to date protocols and help as medical backups for camp health personnel.

Asthma and allergies also bring new challenges for camps. Parents need to teach their children how to use rescue inhalers or EpiPens (allergy-calming epinephrine injection devices). With or with out the summer camp. Camps need to help children have them nearby at all times.

"The delay that can occur when another camper or counselor has to run to the camp nurse's office to grab an inhaler for a child who is having an asthma attack or an EpiPen for a child who has been stung by a bee can have real health consequences," says Walton.

These guideline are set for traditional summer camps not for those camps with special needs. Yet it is recommend that all camps work with local pediatricians and health professionals to ensure that the best health care is in place for the children.

Finding the Right Summer Camp for your you is no easy task, Si, visit a FREE resource Summer Camp Advice at Summer Camp

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