Attending camp can be an unforgettable experience for young children, and it can have a positive effect on their psychological development, self esteem and independence, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in a revised policy statement1 published in the April 2011 issue of the journal Pediatrics.
The statement contains guidelines to help care for campers in all situations, including children with medical or psychological issues, and was reviewed and is supported by the American Camp Association.
The AAP advises parents, before choosing a camp, to evaluate their child's interests, skills and overall well-being to make sure the child can effectively participate in a particular camp environment.
Parents should also medically and psychologically prepare their child for camp, and work with their pediatrician, camp health providers and administrators on a pre-camp health evaluation, which should include a comprehensive health history, including significant previous illnesses, surgeries, injuries (e.g. concussions [1]), and allergies.
Before starting camp, parents should make sure their child has had all of his or her immunizations. For overseas camps, such as international soccer camps, parents should consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traveler's health website [2] or visit a traveler's clinic for information regarding particular immunization requirements or health concerns that may be associated with their child's destination.
Campers with significant medical histories or those with any of the following conditions that require long-term management should have specific medical clearance before attending camp:
To help prevent homesickness -- a common distress among campers -- the following tips, which have been found to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of homesickness,2 may be helpful for parents and prospective campers:
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
2. Thurber CA, Walton EA. American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on School Health. Preventing and treating homesickness. Pedicatics. 2007;119(1):192-201.
Links:
[1] https://www.momsteam.com/node/156
[2] http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
[3] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3109
[4] https://www.momsteam.com/node/300
[5] https://www.momsteam.com/node/385
[6] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3064
[7] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3070
[8] https://www.momsteam.com/node/874
[9] https://www.momsteam.com/node/3462
[10] http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/794.full#sec-4
[11] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/homesickness-at-summer-sports-camps-parents-tips
[12] https://www.momsteam.com/nutrition/dehydration-at-summer-sports-camps-surprisingly-common-studies-find
[13] https://www.momsteam.com/successful-parenting/basics/camps-clinics/packing-sports-camp-tips-make-sure-your-child-prepared