Summer is just around the corner, and I can almost smell the sunscreen and campfire smoke already. As a pediatrician, this is one of my favorite times of the year because I get to hear about all the exciting adventures my patients are planning. Whether it is a week-long day camp dedicated to coding or a month-long sleepaway camp in the mountains, the benefits of camp are incredible. It builds independence, fosters new friendships, and gets kids away from screens and into nature.
However, before the bags are packed and the sleeping bags are rolled out, there is a crucial step that we need to tackle together: the medical preparation. I know the paperwork can feel daunting, but ensuring your child is medically ready is the key to a safe and happy summer. In my practice, I always emphasize that preparation goes beyond just buying bug spray. It involves comprehensive camp physicals, a solid plan for medications, and a review of your child’s overall health status.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know to get your camper ready for their best summer yet.
Why Camp Physicals Are Your First Step
You might be wondering, “My child had a check-up six months ago; do I really need another appointment?” The answer often depends on the specific camp’s requirements, but generally, a dedicated camp physical is a great idea. Camp forms are often detailed, requiring a physician’s signature to confirm that a child is physically capable of participating in camp activities.
Camp physicals are different from a standard visit because we are looking for specific things related to communal living and high activity levels. Here is what I am usually looking for during these visits:
- Physical Capability: Can your child handle the hiking, swimming, and running required? We check the heart, lungs, and joints to ensure there are no underlying issues that exertion could trigger.
- Contagious Conditions: We check for skin infections or other issues that could spread easily in a bunk environment.
- Growth and Development: It is a perfect time to ensure your child is growing on track before they head off for a growth spurt over the summer!
According to the American Camp Association, more than 26 million children and adults attend camp in the U.S. every year. With that many kids in close quarters, ensuring everyone has a clean bill of health is vital for the safety of the entire camp community. When you bring your child in for their physical, please bring the specific forms provided by the camp. Every organization has slightly different requirements, and having the paperwork right there in the exam room ensures we don’t miss a single checkbox.
Managing Medications Away from Home
This is perhaps the topic parents are most anxious about, and rightfully so. When your child is at home, you are the one reminding them to take their allergy pill or their asthma controller. Passing that baton to a camp nurse or counselor requires preparation.
Prescription Medications
If your child takes daily medication, we need a plan. Most camps have very strict policies regarding prescription drugs. They usually require the medication to be in its original container with the prescription label attached. Do not put pills in a Ziploc baggie; the camp nurse will likely not be allowed to administer them.
I recommend checking the expiration dates on all medications now. You do not want to send your child off with an inhaler that expires halfway through July. If you need a refill, let’s get that called in during your appointment.
A note on “Medication Holidays”: Some parents think camp is a good time to take a break from medications like those for ADHD. I generally advise against this unless we have discussed it specifically. Camp requires focus, impulse control, and social regulation—skills that these medications help support. Changing a routine right when a child is in a new, stimulating environment can sometimes lead to behavioral struggles that could have been avoided.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Meds
Even if your child doesn’t take daily prescriptions, you likely need to sign a permission form for OTC meds. This allows the camp health center to give your child Tylenol for a headache, ibuprofen for a sprained ankle, or Benadryl for a bug bite. Without your signature, their hands are often tied, and they might have to call you for permission for every minor scrape or ache.
Research suggests that nearly 50% of campers take some form of regular medication or require health management while at camp. This shows that your child is definitely not alone, and camp staff are usually well-trained in managing these schedules, provided we give them the right information.
Vaccinations: The Shield Against Summer Bugs
Camp physicals are the perfect time to review immunization records. Living in bunks and sharing dining halls creates an environment where germs can travel fast. We want to make sure your child is up to date on all routine vaccinations.
There are two specific vaccines I always double-check before camp:
- Tetanus: Camp is full of rusty nails, dirt, and potential scrapes. If it has been more than a few years since the last booster, we might update this to be safe.
- Meningococcal Vaccine: For teenagers, especially those living in dorm-style housing or crowded cabins, protection against meningitis is very important.
We also need to look at the COVID-19 and flu vaccination status depending on the current guidelines and the season. Keeping immunity high means your camper spends more time canoeing and less time in the infirmary.
Action Plans for Allergies and Asthma
If your child suffers from asthma or severe allergies (food, bee stings, environmental), simply listing it on a form isn’t enough. We need an “Emergency Action Plan.”
For asthma, this is a written plan that tells the counselors exactly what to do if your child starts wheezing. It lists the green zone (doing good), yellow zone (needs quick-relief inhaler), and red zone (emergency). I can fill this out for you during our visit.
For allergies, specifically those requiring an EpiPen, we need to ensure the camp has two auto-injectors on hand: one to stay with the camper and one for the health center. Make sure your child is comfortable self-administering if they are old enough. We can practice with a trainer device in my office so they feel confident.
It is helpful to visit high-authority resources for parents to understand the scope of safety needed. You can read more about summer safety and camp readiness at HealthyChildren.org, which is backed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Mental Health Check-In
Health isn’t just physical. Camp physicals are a safe space for us to talk about how your child is feeling emotionally about going away. Homesickness is normal, but severe anxiety can be debilitating.
If your child has a history of anxiety or depression, let’s discuss strategies. Who is their safe person at camp? what coping mechanisms work at home that can be adapted for camp? I strongly encourage parents to be transparent with the camp directors about mental health. If the staff knows your child tends to get anxious at bedtime, they can be proactive with support rather than reactive.
I always tell kids that feeling a little nervous is a sign that they are about to do something brave. We can frame the experience positively while validating their feelings.
Hydration, Sun, and Insects
While these aren’t things we “check” in an exam, they are vital parts of the health plan I discuss with patients. The shift from an air-conditioned classroom to outdoor heat is significant.
The Water Rule
Dehydration is one of the most common reasons kids end up in the camp infirmary. I tell my patients to start practicing “heavy hydration” a week before camp starts. At camp, they should carry a water bottle everywhere. If they wait until they are thirsty, they are already slightly dehydrated.
Sun Safety
A bad sunburn can ruin a week of camp. I recommend packing broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. If your child is younger, practice applying it at home. They need to know how to reach their neck and ears. Spray sunscreens are convenient, but creams often provide better coverage because you can see where you are applying them.
Bug Defense
Depending on where the camp is located, ticks and mosquitoes can be a nuisance or a health risk. Discuss using insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin. For tick-heavy areas, teach your child how to do a “tick check” in the shower every night. Looking for tiny dark spots behind the knees, around the waistline, and in the hair can prevent Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
The Pre-Camp Timeline
To keep your stress levels low, here is a timeline I recommend for handling the medical side of camp prep:
- 3 Months Before: Book your appointment. Doctors’ schedules fill up incredibly fast in late spring and early summer. If you wait until June for a July camp, you might have trouble finding a slot.
- 1 Month Before: Gather all forms. Fill out the “parent” sections before you come to the office. This makes the appointment much smoother. Check medication expiration dates.
- 2 Weeks Before: Start adjusting sleep schedules. If your teen has been staying up until midnight, shift their bedtime earlier to match camp lights-out times. This prevents jet-lag-like exhaustion during the first few days.
- 1 Week Before: Do a final health check. If your child has a fever or a new cough, call the office immediately. It is better to treat it now than to send them away sick.
Communication is Key
One final piece of advice: do not hide health information from the camp. Sometimes parents worry that if they disclose bedwetting, a learning disability, or a behavioral issue, the camp will reject their child. The opposite is usually true. Camps want to support your child, but they can’t support what they don’t know about.
If your child wears contacts, send glasses as a backup. If they have braces, pack extra wax. If they are prone to swimmer’s ear, pack the drops we discussed. The more information and tools you give the camp staff, the safer your child will be.
Ready for the Best Summer Ever?
Sending your child away to camp is a big milestone for them and for you. It requires trust, preparation, and a little bit of letting go. By tackling the health logistics early—scheduling those camp physicals, organizing medications, and having open conversations about safety—you are clearing the path for them to focus on what matters: fun, growth, and memories.
I am here to support you through this process. Let’s get that appointment on the calendar and get your camper healthy, happy, and ready to go!
