Camp wouldn’t be possible without medical supervision. It’s a necessity and an advantage of all of our programs. Our medical team consists of physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. At least one of these medical professionals is familiar with age-appropriate oncology of the current Camp in session. Our on-site health center is an exceptional facility where the medical team administers treatments and medications, even isolating patients if medically necessary.
Our medical team meets with campers one-on-one on arrival day and camp staff are informed of any specific medical issues and/or limitations, such as swimming, sun exposure, etc. Medications are collected and distributed by the medical staff at all camps for minors. The presence of medical staff is nonintrusive to the daily activities that make Camp special, but they are available 24/7 to address campers’ needs. Staffing varies based on the needs of each group of campers.
While some campers will have been out of treatment for years, others are just beginning. We encourage participants in the midst of treatment to attend. Our medical team is able to administer advanced treatment such as oral chemotherapy, IV antibiotics and blood tests. They are also able to initiate a septic workup and to obtain lost, forgotten or unanticipated medication. Much of this takes place in our Health Center, which has three private rooms. One room is equipped for protective isolation and negative flow.
Camp is a 20-minute drive to a community hospital and a one-hour drive to a major medical center. For emergencies, we have a helicopter pad.
All staff, both full summer and weekly volunteers, participate in an extensive application, interview and training process. In some situations campers may need more one-on-one supervision. If we have a clear idea of those specific needs before the camper reaches Camp, we can better prepare for appropriate staff assistance.