What if my daughter gets sick at camp?
If your daughter becomes sick at camp, she is brought to The Nest (the camp infirmary building). The nurse will tend to your daughter according to standing orders approved by our local overseeing doctor. Medication will be administered if needed. These are the medicines that are listed and approved on your health form. Your daughter will be watched over by the nurse until she is feeling better, and is approved to return to normal activities. Most illness at camp can be cured with a little rest. If the nurse feels it necessary to have your daughter seen by our local doctor, you will be informed, and a member of our senior staff will accompany her to the doctor. You will be notified of any developments in a timely manner. If a hospital visit is necessary, your child will be taken to the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, NY. We will always attempt to contact you and/or your emergency contact before seeking off-site medical care for your daughter. The only exception to this is in the case of extreme and sudden injury or illness, when our first call will to be 911.
What if my camper gets homesick?
It is normal for campers to miss their home and family when they arrive, even for veteran campers! It is a healthy, common response. We have had considerable experience dealing with homesick campers and are ready to help. Know that homesickness often disappears as quickly as it arrives and overcoming homesickness is an opportunity for personal growth. It is not uncommon to receive a letter (or several) during the first few days of camp reporting on feelings of homesickness. In this event, we need help from you:
- Keep in frequent contact, positive encouraging letters are best.
- Tell her that you are proud of her for conquering a challenge and ask her about new friends and skills.
- Encourage her to stick with it. Knowing that you have faith in her will help her get through the initial homesickness.
- Do not give her an out (as hard as that may be)
- Although it’s hard not to bargain with our kids, it’s important to refrain from telling your daughter that you will come and get her “if…” If your daughter knows that you will come at the drop of a hat, she will be less willing to really engage herself and overcome her homesickness. This is a huge life lesson.
My daughter told me in a letter that she didn’t feel well. Why did no one call me?
Sometimes homesickness, (especially within the first few days of camp)…can cause you to have a stomach ache or headache. Usually by the time you’re reading the letter she mailed from camp, she has overcome her homesickness and having a blast at camp with her new friends!
When can I expect to hear from the nurse?
The nurse or director will call you if your daughter comes to The Nest repeatedly with the same symptoms, and our medical professional has cause for concern. You will also be contacted if there is a question about her medicine, or if she is sick or injured in such a way that she requires a trip to the physician’s office.
When and how will my daughter get her medicine?
During camp check-in all camper medications are taken to the Nest for storage. Medicine is kept locked at all times, and is administered by the camp nurse at the appropriate time. With few exceptions, no medicines are kept by campers and self-administered during the camp session. All medicine administration is documented, and this documentation is available if needed. NOTE: ALL MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS, SUPPLEMENTS MUST COME TO CAMP IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER OR IT WILL NOT BE ADMINISTERED TO THE CAMPER.
How will anyone know my child has medical needs?
Before camp starts our nurse will have reviewed all health forms to know who will be receiving medications. Please feel free to call or email the director if you would like to speak to the camp nurse.
How will the counselors know my camper needs to take medicine?
During camp training, counselors will be informed of all girls with special medical needs, including those who need to take regular meds while at camp.
What if my camper forgets to take her medicine?
Our nurse delivers morning, noon, and dinner medicines during meals in the Hearth, and keeps track of all medications. If your camper requires medication before bed, she will be escorted to The Nest just before “light’s out”. If she missed her visit to the nurse, the nurse will send a messenger to retrieve her. Your daughter’s medication will not be missed.
Can my camper keep her medicine in her cabin and take it herself?
No, the only medicine a camper may keep is a rescue inhaler or a prescribed Epi-Pen. Everything else must be turned over to the nurse at check-in, without exception. Campers who may require a rescue inhaler or Epi-Pen are allowed to carry this medicine with them, but they must carry it themselves and must know how to use it correctly. It MUST be included on the health form, must be labeled with the camper’s name and the inhaler or Epi-Pen MUST NOT BE EXPIRED.
What if my child needs medicine that I didn’t send to camp?
On the health form is a list of all the non-prescription medicine kept in The Nest. You do not need to send any of these medications, as we keep a sufficient quantity on hand. Your child’s doctor must have signed the health form in order for these medications to be administered. Sometimes situations arise when it is necessary for a prescription to be started during camp. If this occurs, you will be notified.
What if my child gets sick and needs to come home?
Our goal is to try to keep campers at camp, but sometimes it’s in the best interest of your child and other campers for her to go home. If your child is likely to be sick for an extended period of time, we ask that you come get her and take her home. This is VERY rare; however, if you will be out of town, your emergency contact (listed on your daughter’s health form) should be aware that this duty would then fall to him/her. Except in the case of severe and sudden injury, we will be in contact with you long before the need arises for your daughter to be taken home.
What if my camper gets hurt?
There are first aid kits located in all buildings around camp. When groups go for overnight trips, the leader carries a first aid kit. Our nurse is available 24 hours a day to respond to any situations that may arise. All groups leaving camp property are accompanied by at least one staff member with first-aid training. Finally, preventative safety measures are discussed with all campers the very first day they arrive.
What are some common injuries seen at camp, and how can they be prevented?
By far the most common injury seen at camp is a foot or ankle injury; this is why the shoes you send to camp are extremely important, especially for hikers! Insect bites are also common despite our staff being vigilant about reminding girls to wear bug spray. Most cases are minor but some girls do react more severely to insect bites than others. Please encourage your daughter to wear bug spray, and practice applying it at home — girls must apply their own, as staff can only encourage and remind them to do so.
What are some common illnesses and how does camp prevent their spread?
We make sure campers are drinking enough water, eating enough healthy food, and getting enough rest at camp but sometimes cold symptoms appear. Campers and staff are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and apply hand sanitizer before entering the dining area. Sick campers are brought to the nurse and, if necessary, isolated in The Nest or sent home. We follow the NY State Health Dept. guidelines for the treatment of infectious diseases.
How can I contact the Camp Jeanne d’Arc Health Director?
Please contact the Director at randy@campjeannedarc.com or on his cell phone at 704-960-3949 and she will have the camp nurse contact you as soon as possible.