Physical and Medical Preparation for Summer Camp

Required Health Assessments

Most camps require a recent physical exam—and it's not just red tape. A thorough check-up helps determine whether there are activities, places, or conditions at camp that might be unhealthy for your child. Your pediatrician can flag concerns, give green lights for specific activities, and share advice on stamina, nutrition, and physical readiness.

The Physical Exam

Bring the camp's health form with you to the doctor's appointment and ask them to sign it while you're there. Alternatively, request a printout or PDF of the exam results that you can submit as an attachment to the camp's online health form.

This is also the perfect time to refill any prescriptions your child might need while at camp—allergy medication, asthma inhalers, or other ongoing treatments. Don't wait until the week before camp when your pharmacy might be out of stock or your doctor's office is closed.

What Doctors Check

During a pre-camp physical, doctors assess:

• Overall health and growth patterns
• Stamina and physical conditioning for camp activities
• Any restrictions or accommodations needed for specific activities
• Medication needs and management plans
• Recent injuries or illnesses that might affect participation

If your child has any medical, behavioral, or emotional concerns, discuss them openly with both your doctor and the camp director. The camp staff is there to help, but they can only support what they know about.

Immunizations and Vaccinations

Up-to-date immunizations protect your camper and the whole camp community. Living in close quarters—shared cabins, communal dining halls, group activities—means illnesses can spread quickly. Vaccines are your child's best defense.

Required Vaccines

Most camps require standard immunizations including:

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Others depending on age and camp location

Check your camp's specific requirements early—some vaccines require multiple doses spaced weeks apart, so don't wait until the last minute.

Keep Records Ready

Organize immunization records, health forms, and medical notes in one binder or digital folder for easy access. You'll need copies for camp paperwork, and having everything in one place saves stress when you're rushing to complete forms before the deadline.

Managing Allergies and Medical Conditions

Asthma, diabetes, food sensitivities, severe allergies—camps handle these conditions every day. But they can only support what they know, so share detailed information early and communicate clearly with camp staff.

Allergies: From Minor to Severe

Some allergens are easy to avoid—kids allergic to strawberries can simply skip strawberry products and request grape jelly instead. Other allergens are harder to avoid. Kids with severe peanut allergies must avoid peanuts, peanut butter, foods cooked in peanut oil, and even utensils with peanut residue. Some campers are so allergic they can't share a jar of jelly if someone dipped a peanut-buttery knife into it.

Talk with the camp director about your child's allergies before opening day. Find out how the camp and kitchen staff can help your child avoid specific allergens. Most camps offer gluten-free entrees and peanut butter alternatives like sunflower seed butter. Many camps are entirely nut-free.

For allergens that are impossible to avoid—like bees, dust, or pollen—make sure your child knows how to recognize symptoms and what to do. Kids allergic to bee stings may have trouble breathing after being stung. Those allergic to dust may need nasal sprays or oral medication to manage congestion.

Severe Allergies: Practice and Preparation

Kids with severe allergies need to learn how to treat themselves. Before opening day, practice using an EpiPen or Auvi-Q until your child feels confident. When you meet with the camp nurse or doctor on opening day, discuss your child's allergies, symptoms, and treatment plan in detail.

Kids with severe symptoms should wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace. In an emergency, this information helps adults respond with the right kind of first aid quickly—even if they don't know your child's medical history.

Asthma Management

About 9% of U.S. children have asthma, making it the most common chronic illness in kids. Physical exercise, cold air, and anxiety can all trigger asthmatic episodes, which typically involve wheezing and coughing. Using an inhaler usually opens the airway and symptoms go away.

If your child has asthma:

• Make sure they know how and when to use their inhaler and other asthma medications
• Bring an extra inhaler for the medical staff to keep at the health center
• Include a nebulizer if your child uses one
• Clearly label all inhalers and equipment in case they're found around camp
• Discuss symptoms and treatment with camp health staff and your child's cabin leader

Most camps allow kids with asthma to carry inhalers with them throughout the day since physical activity can sometimes induce episodes. Kids with mild or moderate asthma generally do fine at any camp.

Other Chronic Conditions

For conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or other chronic illnesses, provide the camp with a detailed care plan that includes:

• Triggers and warning signs to watch for
• Medication schedules and dosage instructions
• Emergency contacts and procedures
• Any dietary restrictions or special accommodations needed

Medication Management

Medication routines don't stop at camp. Every program has its own policy, usually with a nurse or trained staff supervising. Most camps keep prescription and non-prescription medicines locked at the health center to prevent accidental misuse. Some exceptions include sunscreen, bug repellent, asthma inhalers, and epinephrine auto-injectors, which campers may be allowed to keep with them.

Camp Medication Policies

Learn how your camp handles medications before arrival:

• Where are medications stored? (Usually locked at the health center)
• When is "med call"? (Often before and after meals)
• Which medications can campers carry? (Inhalers, EpiPens, etc.)
• Who administers medications? (Camp nurse, health staff)

Preparation Checklist

Before drop-off:

• Clearly label each prescription in its original container
• Include dosage instructions and prescribing doctor's contact information
• Pack enough medication to last the entire camp session plus a few extra days
• Use pill organizers if the camp allows them
• Provide written instructions for any special administration needs

Teaching Medical Self-Care

Kids should understand why they take the medications they do. Understanding the "why" helps them remember to take their medicine and recognize when they're starting to feel off.

Surprisingly, many kids know nothing about their daily medications beyond "It's my pill. I take one every day." These kids sometimes forget doses at camp because they don't understand why the medicine matters. If your child already knows what their medications do and why they're important, great—they're far more likely to remember med call.

For kids with complex medication regimens—like those managing diabetes, cancer, or mental health conditions—understanding their treatment is even more critical. Many special needs camps specifically teach kids how to care for themselves and manage their conditions independently.

A Note on Psychiatric Medications

Kids taking psychiatric medications like stimulants or antidepressants should consult with their prescribing doctor before camp. Discuss:

• Having enough medication for the entire camp session
• A dosing schedule that fits the camp's daily schedule
• Potential side effects and how to recognize them
• Whether a medication-free period ("drug holiday") makes sense

Current medical guidance suggests that children should stay on helpful medications while at camp. Camp doesn't last long enough to serve as a good testing ground for medication changes, and kids benefit from the stability these medications provide while adjusting to a new environment.

Health & Safety Habits

Beyond forms and pill bottles, small daily habits are the best prep. These preventative basics become second nature when you start reinforcing them now—weeks before Opening Day.

Preventative Basics

• Wash hands before meals. This simple habit prevents the spread of germs in communal dining halls.
• Drink water throughout the day. Dehydration sneaks up fast during active days outdoors.
• Use sunscreen consistently. Apply in the morning and reapply after swimming or sweating.
• Apply bug spray regularly. Mosquitoes and ticks are more than annoying—they can carry disease.
• Shower daily. Keeping clean prevents skin irritation and infections in humid camp environments.

Basic First Aid Knowledge

Your child should know basic first aid for minor injuries:

• How to clean and bandage a small cut or scrape
• When to seek help from a counselor or health center staff
• How to recognize signs they're not feeling well (headache, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue)
• The importance of speaking up if something hurts or doesn't feel right

Pack a small personal first aid kit with adhesive bandages, anti-itch cream, antibacterial cream, and a small packet of tissues. Your camper can handle minor scrapes independently, building confidence and self-reliance.

Emergency Procedures

Ask the camp about their emergency response protocols. Knowing that trained staff have clear procedures for injuries, illnesses, and emergencies reassures both you and your child that help is always ready.

Preparing for Camp Activities

Most camp programs keep kids physically active within the limits of any different abilities they may have. Your child doesn't need to be an Olympic athlete—but they should be comfortable with basic physical activity.

Focus on Fitness

If your child has spent most of spring glued to screens, encourage more outdoor time before camp:

• Backyard play and neighborhood games
• Bike rides or walks around the neighborhood
• Swimming at the local pool
• Playing catch, shooting hoops, or kicking a soccer ball

Kids don't need structured training—they just need to spend more time moving. The goal is building stamina so they can keep up with their cabin mates and enjoy activities without exhaustion.

Swim Checks

Camps with aquatics programs usually require a "swim check" within 24 hours of arrival. Swim checks typically involve swimming a short distance (maybe 50 yards) and treading water for a minute or two. These assessments place campers in appropriate swim lessons and determine which areas of the pool or waterfront they can access.

Practice swimming before camp starts—even if your child is a strong swimmer. Being comfortable in the water reduces first-day nerves and helps them show their best skills during the swim check.

Safety Skills

Teach your child to:

• Follow counselor instructions during activities
• Wear appropriate safety gear (helmets, life jackets, harnesses)
• Speak up immediately if they feel unwell, injured, or unsafe
• Recognize their own limits and take breaks when needed

Packing Health Essentials

Must-Have Health Items

• All prescription medications in original containers
• Sunscreen (minimum SPF 30)
• Insect repellent
• Reusable water bottle
• Small personal first aid kit
• Any medical devices (inhaler, EpiPen, glucose monitor, etc.)
• Extra glasses or contact lenses if needed
• MedicAlert bracelet if applicable

Comfort Items for Emotional Health

Physical health and emotional health go hand-in-hand. A pillow from home, a stuffed animal, or a family photo supports emotional well-being—which in turn supports physical health. When kids feel emotionally secure, they sleep better, eat better, and take better care of themselves.

Confidence Through Preparation

Covering health prep upfront doesn't just prevent problems—it builds confidence. When your child steps into camp already supported with the right exams, medications, and healthy habits, they're free to focus on what matters most: having fun, making friends, and growing strong.

The camp health staff is experienced and well-trained. They've seen it all—from bee stings to mild asthma episodes to homesickness-induced stomachaches. They know how to keep kids safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout the camp session.

Your job is to set your child up for success by providing complete, accurate information and teaching them basic self-care skills. Once you've done that, you can relax knowing they're in good hands—and they can dive into camp knowing they have everything they need to thrive.