Lots of young people are on medications, both over-the-counter and prescription. We are prepared to handle the overwhelming majority of medications that campers bring with them; however, there are a few exceptions. Our licensing by the State of Michigan and accreditation by the American Camping Association require that we take great care in both receiving medications from caregivers and distributing them to campers.
Our health center carries a wide range of over-the-counter medications (a full list is included on the health form for your approval for your camper to receive). These will be available for campers at the health center upon evaluation by a health officer.
Bringing your medications to camp
We encourage families to continue campers on all their prescription medications while at camp unless advised by their doctor.
Some families have considered removing campers from behavioral medications that they take during the school year. Please consult your physician to step down from these medications safely. While summer camp is a different context than school, many of the benefits that these medications during the school year can also help your camper be successful at camp.
- All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be clearly labeled with the camper’s full name and provided in their original containers. We are unable to accept or intake any unlabeled medications.
- All Epi-Pens and Albuterol Inhalers must be labeled with your camper’s first and last name. This applies to each individual inhaler and epi-pen as well as the boxes they came in.
- If applicable, please ensure that you are sending your child to camp with enough of each medication to last them throughout the entirety of their camp session. Please contact our Health Center for any questions
- We ask families to please be sure that the medication being brought to camp corresponds with the medications listed on the Health History Form filled out during registration. If your child has changed or is no longer taking a certain medication, that is okay! We please ask is that you notify our Health Officers of this via email up to 24 hours before your arrival or when you drop your child off at check-in.
- For campers with a history of medical risks such as asthma or anaphylaxis, we require parents to send emergency medications like EpiPens or inhalers. These must be provided even if they were not needed in the past.
Handling Medications at Camp
- All medications are securely stored in our health center and are distributed at regular times daily, ensuring that campers receive their doses on time.
- The correct dose, route, and frequency will be confirmed when you check your camper in.
- We can only distribute medication as written on the prescription bottle unless the child’s physician provides written authorization for a change.
- We repackage and label medications for expeditions so as to ensure accurate dosing away from camp.
Daily Medications at camp
- Our Health Center distributes medications four times a day.
- Breakfast (8:45 AM), Lunch (12:45 PM), Dinner (6:00 PM), and Before Bedtime (9:00 PM)
- Custom medication times can be requested if they are necessary for the camper
- We are able to accommodate a wide range of different medication regimes and/or treatment plans while your child is at camp. If your child may require any further accommodations while at camp, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Health Team. We are more than willing to work with families to ensure that their child receives the medical attention they need.
- Please feel free to send written instructions for your medications if your child takes multiple medications throughout the day. We review the plans for all medications with caregivers at camper check-in.
- We highly encourage you to stay consistent with your child’s medication routine at home.
Prescription Refills – What if my child runs out of his prescription?
- If your camper requires a prescription refill during their stay, we are happy to go and pick it up from the local pharmacy. Caregivers are asked to coordinate any prescription transfers with your child’s physician. Please note that the cost of refills will be billed to parents.
- We will contact you if your child will soon require a new prescription refill
