Medicines at Camp - New Camper Blog Series

Handing out Medicine:

First thing to know, there are specific medication distribution plans set in place for summer camps, and we follow those at Greystone. It involves a very detailed system that ensures we know who we are giving medicine to, that it is accurately given, and that it is then marked off in our system once a camper has taken her medications. This is a long way of saying that we’ve got a system in place!

Keeping it simple:

If there is anything we would ask of you it would be to keep it simple! We ask that you only send in medications that are absolutely necessary for your daughter to take during the summer. Sending in only the necessary medications also makes it easier on your daughter; no camper likes waiting multiple times during the day for her medications if she can help it!

We’ve got the basics:

We have a stocked Health Hut that looks like a mini pharmacy (not kidding!). If your camper needs any basic over-the-counter medications, there is a good chance we already have them. (And, If we don’t have them, we’ll go get them!) So no need to send in things like Tylenol, Pepto, Miralax, or other over-the-counter medications (unless your daughter will need to take these daily). We’ve got you (and your daughter!) covered already.

Talk before arrival:

Before camp, talk to your daughter about her medication plan. What will she be taking and when? If she knows the plan, your camper will feel much more confident when she arrives. We will make sure she doesn’t miss any of her medications, but talking ahead of time will go a long way.

Getting your medications ready:

As mentioned above, we have so much information in our Parent Handbook and on our website about all of the different types of medications you can bring to camp, so make sure you read up on all of the details. Here are the 3 biggest things to know:

1. If your camper is going to need medicine while she is at camp, make sure you enter the medication and correct dosage on your online Health Form (this is the form that you as a parent fill out). Our nurses will use this information to distribute the medication through our online system, so it needs to match what you’re bringing. Help us by making sure everything is entered correctly and is updated (and if you’re a returning family reading this, make sure it’s updated if there have been changes since last year). Also, don’t forget to update the form if anything changes between when camp begins and when you filled out the form this spring!
2. If your daughter has a medication that needs to be given every day, please make sure that your doctor has sent this prescription to Whitley Drugs (our local pharmacy). You can find information on how to do this in your online forms (find the Pharmacy Form to read all of the instructions). Whitley’s can answer any questions or concerns you may have about how this will work with your particular medication.
3. If you are bringing a medication for your daughter that she will only take as needed (like migraine medicine), make sure to follow the instructions on the As Needed Medication Form found in your online forms. You’ll be all set for Opening Day!