Health Hut Cheat Sheet

Our goal is for everyone at camp to have a safe and healthy summer! You can help by arriving at camp healthy and taking good care of yourself and your campers while you are here.

• Eat well. Sleep well. Follow all safety rules!
• Do not share pillows, brushes, combs, toothbrushes, cups, water bottles, or drinks.
• Cover thy mouth. (Ah-Choo! hack hack!)
• Wash your hands! Wash your hands! Wash your hands!
• Wear Sunscreen at ALL TIMES!
• Drink water! Drink water! Drink water!

Nurses and Doctors

Our wonderful nurses are available at the H.H. (Health Hut) or in camp at all times. If all of the community is in one spot (for instance at meals, Carnival, or church), the nurses are probably there too! If you or your camper have an urgent need, look first in that spot before going to the H.H.

Our doctors are visiting doctors and are with us for a week at a time. Except for emergencies, they will see campers and staff during Sick Call or by an appointment that is set up by the nurses. We can help arrange medical care in town when needed.

Sick Call

Sick Call is the best time to come to the H.H. with a non-urgent concern, because all of our nurses and our camp doctor are there and available. We will have Sick Call for Staff right after breakfast and Sick Call for campers after Morning Assembly and at 5:10. We can make arrangements for you to see the camp doctor at another time if you are unable to come during Staff Sick Call. The nurses are available 24/7 for any urgent concerns.

Night Call

A nurse will be on-call during Rest Hour and each night after Taps. Her room number will be posted at the front desk along with a doorbell that is connected to her room. We will have instructions posted at the desk as you enter the treatment room. If you are bringing a camper to be seen, please wait with your camper until the on-call nurse arrives. Never send a camper to the Health Hut alone after dark or leave a camper in the waiting room without a nurse. If you are the one that is sick, and you are admitted to spend the night at the Health Hut, please remind the nurses to find someone to cover your cabin if you are not doubled. We do not want your campers to be alone.

Pill Hill and Medications

Campers will receive their daily medications through our traveling Pill Hill system, receiving most of their medicine on the Dining Hall porch during meals. After Evening Program, the nurses dispense medications on the Fine Arts Center porch. There are a few medications that may need to stay with the camper, like an emergency medication, but these need to be checked in with a nurse FIRST before allowed in the cabin. Please check with the nurses if your camper has any medications in her trunk or duffel when she is unpacking.

The Ward

The Health Hut has two wards for campers that need to stay with us. If your camper is admitted, please help by getting things she might need, such as her pillow, book, stuffed animal, toiletries and p.j.’s, if she is spending the night. Campers are often very sad to be away from YOU and their friends. Please remember to visit your camper! You can stop by before or after a meal, after classes, before Rest Hour and at bedtime. Other campers are not allowed to visit, but it’s great to have them make cards and write notes for their friend. Please bring your camper her mail every day and any notes and cards from her friends.

Counselor Medications

No medications can be kept in a cabin with campers. This is for the safety of the campers and for your protection as well. All Cabin Staff will keep their medications, prescription and over-the-counter ones, in a lock box in the Bodega (the staff snack hut). Program Staff may keep their medications in their cabins, but may prefer to keep some or all meds locked at the Bodega.

We keep a supply of over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol and Advil with the counselor medications for your use as well. You can use these at any time as needed; however, we want to know if you are not feeling well and not getting better! Never give a camper any medication unless instructed to do so by a nurse.

Out of Camp Meds

Campers on regular or emergency medication may need these while out of camp for trips such as Hiking, Thunderhead Riding, or Rafting. The counselor in charge of the trip will pick up these medicines before leaving with the group and will be responsible for dispensing the meds to the campers at the assigned time as well as returning items such as Epi-pens and inhalers to the Health Hut after the trip.

First Aid Kits

Almost every program area will have gloves, bandaids, and a note telling them where the nearest Epi-pen is available (plus many more first aid items!). Full First Aid Kits are located throughout camp. Please bring your program area’s kit to the Health Hut to restock anytime supplies are needed, and return the kit to the Health Hut at the end of August Camp.

Sunscreen

It is essential that campers use sunscreen EVERY day and REAPPLY it regularly. Making this part of the daily routine and using it yourself will help reinforce this.

Ear Drops

Ear drops are given by the counselors to each camper after any water activity (and you should be using them as well if you are in the water every day). These drops are to prevent a swimmer’s ear infection. There will be a few exceptions for children with tubes in their ears or a note from the Heath Hut. Never force a camper to receive ear drops if she says she is not supposed to have them.

Ticks

You must check and have your campers check themselves for ticks. If one is found, we will remove it for you. Please let us know if you or a camper has found an embedded tick.

Lice

Lice is a common occurrence in school-aged populations today. All campers and staff will be checked for lice on Opening Day by a professional service. Any cases found will be treated on that day. You will be notified if this affects your campers or cabin. Regardless of whether or not lice is found, we do not want campers sharing brushes, combs, hats, or pillows!

Homesickness

Please remember that homesickness is not a physical illness (although it can certainly feel like one). We want to help, and we will help; but, the Health Hut is not the best place for a homesick camper. We will evaluate her for medical concerns and be supportive; however, if you know a camper is struggling with homesickness and not physically ill, please work with your Group Leader and the other Head Staff.

Bedwetting

Bedwetting in camper-aged girls is not uncommon. This is never done intentionally. Ask your campers to quietly let you know if they have had a problem. Be gentle and sensitive if there is an accident and follow these procedures:

1. Have the camper make her bed after an accident (like normal!).
2. During Flag or Breakfast, bring the soiled bedding to the Health Hut. We will show you where during Orientation. Check to be sure there are no soiled clothes that need to be washed, too. There will be tape and a marker there for you to write your camper’s name and cabin number.
3. Take clean sheets and camp bedding to remake the bed. Wipe the mattress with a Clorox wipe first.
4. If you took any of her personal bedding or items to be washed, we will wash them for you in the Health Hut. The nurses will return the laundry to the cabin or call the Group Leader to let her know the laundry needs to be picked up. It is important that the bed is remade with her personal items as soon as possible.
5. Reassure her. Be Positive. “Not a big deal” attitude is best.

If you forget what to do, or are having issues, please speak with your Group Leader or a nurse.

Feminine

If any of your campers start her period, we will be glad to help. We have a small selection of supplies if you or a camper needs something. Please notify your Group Leader or a nurse if a camper starts her period for the first time.

Speak Up!

Please help us by keeping an eye on your campers and letting us know of any symptoms of illness or signs of injury!

If at any time you feel that we have made a mistake in picking up an illness or have any concerns about your campers or fellow counselors, please come and discuss this with Dr. Margaret, a nurse, or the visiting doctor. This will be much more helpful than discussing concerns and doubts with the campers or amongst yourselves.