Recommendations developed to prepare children for camp

(HealthDay) – In a policy statement published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and published online June 17 pediatricsrecommendations are presented for preparing children for summer camps.

Michael J. Ambrose, MD, of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Edward A. Walton, MD, of Ascension St. John Hospital in Detroit, made recommendations regarding the badessment. of health and preparation of young people before their participation in the day. , residents or family camps.

The authors note that before choosing a camp, parents, guardians and primary care providers must badess the child's interests, skills and physical, mental and emotional well-being, as well as his or her ability to participate in a specific camp. Parents are encouraged to discuss all the health needs of campers with camp health staff before registering their children. Parents and guardians are responsible for providing the program with changes in the health status of the camper; For campers under long-term psychotropic therapy or those undergoing maintenance therapy for chronic illness, voluntary discontinuation of treatment should be avoided during camp. It is imperative that all campers and staff adhere to the recommended vaccination schedule for children. Camps must have written health policies and protocols in place; Camp health care providers should be trained in child health. Camps should have an automated external defibrillator on site; Campers must be proficient in the use of personal emergency medications and medical instruments (eg, inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors).

"The camp experience can be extremely rewarding and build self-confidence," Ambrose said in a statement. "You will want to match the interests, skills and physical and emotional well-being of the child with a camp that suits him best."

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