Question 1

Do you have a medic?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a medic on site and available by radio 24/7. Additionally, we have a camp director, operations director and executive director living within the vicinity, all monitoring radio activity 24/7 as well.

Question 2

Illness & Injury at camp

Accepted Answer

Our Medic or Summer Camp Director will contact parents and guardians in the case that their camper(s) become ill or obtain an injury while under our care.

All visits to Get Well and the Medic are recorded in accordance with the American Camp Association (ACA)  standards.

Here are a few examples of when we would and would not contact parents and guardians. This list is representative, but not exhaustive:

We will not call parents and guardians for minor scrapes, lacerations, splinters, stomach aches, headaches, or bug bites etc.

We will contact parents and guardians for any allergic reactions, stitches, possible concussions, broken bones, any severe or persistent symptoms causing the camper(s) to be in pain or discomfort etc. 
 
Our Medic is here to assist your camper(s) with any medical attention that they need while at camp. In the rare event in which additional treatment is required, a local physician, EMS, and hospital emergency room facilities are easily accessible.  If your camper(s) need medical attention off-site such as a trip to the emergency room, one of our leadership team members will be in contact with you as soon as possible and communicate any and all details to provide the best care for your camper(s). Getting your camper(s) to safety is the most important step in this process, and we will keep you informed along the way.

Question 3

Homesickness

Accepted Answer

Missing home and each other is normal, and it even happens among the staff and camp directors! Here are some tried and true tips for helping you and your camper(s) deal with missing home and each other and preparing them for fully investing in the camp experience!

If you know of any specific personal or family-related issues that may come up while your camper is at camp, please don’t keep it to yourself.

Specific concerns can be noted on the registration or health forms online or emailed to the Director of Summer Camp. In all cases, the information you share will be kept confidential and shared with only the appropriate staff parties. It is extremely helpful for us to be aware of potential stressors or anxieties campers may bring to camp so we can prepare appropriately. In this way we can meet the camper where they are and help them have the best time possible at camp.

It’s important to talk with your camper before leaving for camp to discuss any worries they may have about being away from home.

Younger campers’ concerns are often related to missing home, though homesickness is not unusual for campers of any age. Our counselors foster a nurturing environment which will help alleviate any homesick tendencies, and homesickness is a topic of particular concern that we focus on during staff training sessions.

How YOU talk with your camper about their time away from home has the biggest impact on their outlook on their camp experience.

Please strive to be positive, upbeat, and keep the focus on your camper and the welcoming, accepting, and exciting time they can expect to have at camp. Acknowledging you will miss them helps them know you care, but please pair it with positive, solutions-based comments such as “We can’t wait to hear from you when you write us letters!” or “We know you’ll have a great time and that makes us happy!”

Please NEVER promise to pick up your camper or let them call home if they are not having a good time. This creates a barrier to your camper fully investing in the camp experience and all it has to offer.

Question 4

Camper Medication

Accepted Answer

If your camper(s) take any over the counter (examples include allergy medicine and melatonin) or prescription medication they must be listed on the Physician’s Release & Parental Consent Form and brought in their original packaging.

We have very specific policies on medication administration and will not be able to give your camper any medication that is not listed on their form or in their original package(s). If additional medications have been prescribed to your camper, and they are not listed on the signed form, they will not be able to be given to your camper(s) until a new form is signed. The Summer Camp Nurse and Director of Summer Camp will be available during registration for any specific questions, but these policies will apply in all cases for the safety of our campers and staff.

Over-the-counter Medications
St. Dorothy’s Rest maintains a well-stocked supply of common over-the-counter medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen, allergy medications, and more. All medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—are administered only by the Camp Medic. Families will indicate on the registration form which OTC medications their child is permitted to receive, along with any preferences or restrictions. Medications will only be given in accordance with that authorization.

Melatonin
St. Dorothy’s Rest does not provide melatonin. If a camper uses melatonin at home and their parent/guardian would like it to be administered at camp, the camper must bring it with them on arrival day and check it in directly with the Camp Medic. As with all medications, melatonin will only be administered by the Camp Medic and only with prior authorization from a parent or guardian via the Physician’s Release & Parental Consent Form and in it's original packaging.

Question 5

Medication Administration

Accepted Answer

Below are our policies for medication administration. Please read carefully:

All medications, prescriptions & over-the-counter, require a physician’s order/authorization.
Prescription medications must be in the original container with a pharmacy label attached. Only send the number of tablets your child will need. DO NOT SEND FULL BOTTLES.
Over-the-counter medications must be in the original containers and labeled with the camper’s name.
Each medication container must include only the medication included on the label.
The first dose of a medication that a camper has not taken before should be given at home so the camper can be monitored closely for hypersensitivity and side effects.

Final notes: 
Medications not in original containers or packages WILL NOT be given.
Medications will only be administered according to the label directions.
We do not administer medications for Family Camps. Parents and Guardians should be prepared to administer medications while visiting St. Christopher.
Prescription medications being sent with your camper should be listed on the Physician’s Release & Parental Consent form.

Question 6

Water Safety

Accepted Answer

Swim Assessments
The day campers arrive they preform what we call a "swim quest" where we test their swimming competence and limit their access to the pool accordingly. 
Head count and access check is done prior to getting in the pool every time

Supervision & Staffing
A certified lifeguard will be on duty whenever the pool is open and will maintain required lifeguard-to-camper ratios at all times.
Emergency equipment (rescue tube, reaching pole, AED, first aid kit) is accessible at all times.
Camp counselors will actively supervise their assigned campers and no lifeguard or counselor may leave their post until properly relieved.
Staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and emergency action plans (EAPs).
All incidents are documented and reported according to camp policy.

Pool Rules
No running, diving, pushing, dunking, or rough play.
No breath-holding contests.
Campers must follow all lifeguard and staff instructions immediately.
One whistle means stop, two whistles means swim to the side of the pool, three whistles means get out immediately. 
No food, gum, or glass in the pool area.
Pool area is locked or secured when not in use.
Campers are not permitted in the pool area without supervision.
Only authorized camp staff may open or close the pool.
Counselors must have radio communication devices with them at all times

River Rules
Life jackets must be worn at all times on the river and must be properly fitted, buckled and tested by a counselor. 
Closed-toe water shoes or secure footwear are required.
Campers must have staff permission before launching.
Camper only canoes must stay within splashing distance of a canoe with a counselor in it
Counselors must have communication devices with them at all times

Question 7

Staff hiring & training

Accepted Answer

At the start of the summer, all of the counselors attend a ten day long training that addresses common camper issues (from homesickness to behavior management), emergency situations, and what to expect from campers of different ages. Staff have a chance to practice techniques (as well as games/music/activities) before campers arrive.

All training is infused with fun and activities. Role play activities help us practice giving clear expectations and directions, being specific in praise and affirmations and using a clear and loving tone when redirection is needed. These skills are essential to life in the community as staff as well as to building relationships with campers.

We continue our training throughout the summer. Our leadership team works with staff to enhance their abilities and skills in working with campers beyond the first day of camp, creating a dynamic learning environment that uses ongoing assessment and feedback to help our staff be their best and lead by example.

St. Dorothy's Rest

SUMMER CAMP: FAQs