How are campers medications and special dietary needs handled?
More children than ever use prescription medications for asthma, behavior and mental health disorders, allergies, diabetes and other conditions. Awareness of food allergies and dietary restrictions is also rising. Parents should check on how camps store and dispense daily medications, whether they allow asthma inhalers and “epi pens” to be kept in cabins for asthma attacks and allergic reactions, and whether they can tailor meals to meet special diet needs. Walton also cautions parents not to see summer camp as a time for their child to take a “medication holiday” and halt their use of behavioral drugs like Ritalin. The new experiences and social situations of camp don’t mix well with a sudden change in medication. Do I need to buy extra health insurance? Will my insurance cover local medical care? Many camps require parents to buy additional insurance coverage for their children, or to provide proof that the child is covered by an existing policy. And, many HMOs and other insurance pl
