Medical Care at Camp Akita Medical Forms Registration Immunizations Bringing Medications Allergies & Epi-Pens Illness & Injury Leaving Camp & Returning in Same Session Medical Emergencies Special Dietary Needs Special Accommodations
Each camp session is staffed with a camp nurse who holds a Registered Nursing (RN) degree or above. The nurse handles medical care, emergencies, and medication administration. Additionally, all Camp Akita staff are certified in CPR, basic first aid, and Epi-Pen administration. Food allergy and dietary restriction information is shared with the Food Services Director, who is responsible for ensuring those needs are met for both campers and staff.
Medications and general health information supplied by parent/guardians is reviewed by the camp's medical staff and camp directors. Information pertinent to the care of individual campers is then confidentially shared with only the camper's cabin counselors so that they can be prepared to ensure a successful and safe stay for each camper. Any questions related to how your child's medical information is maintained and shared may be directed to Camp Akita's Director of Operations in Columbus.
If you have any medical questions during your child’s camp session, please email our Columbus Akita administrative office or call (614) 488-0681, ext 113.
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How to Access and Complete: Medical forms will be available beginning in April. When they are available, families will be notified via email with instructions and a due date. To access the online forms, log into your Parent Dashboard and access Forms from the left menu bar. A parent/guardian must electronically initial the bottom of each of the four (4) medical forms before clicking Submit form in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. A doctor’s signature is NOT required.
Additional Medical Forms: We have four additional medical forms you may be asked to complete depending on the health history of your camper. We have an Allergy Plan of Care, Seizure Action Plan, Asthma Action Plan, and Diabetes Plan of Care. Find these forms on the Forms tab of your Parent Dashboard.
When Forms are Due: Medical forms are due by May 23, 2023. Those who register after this date must complete at least two weeks prior to your camper's session. Any updates to your child's medical forms (ie, change in medications, update to contact information, etc.) must be completed two weeks (14 days) prior to your camper’s session. Campers with incomplete medical forms will not be permitted to attend their camp session.
Change in Medical Information: It is imperative that we have accurate medical information for your camper. If your child’s medical information changes, please update their medical forms accordingly. If any medical information changes within two weeks (14 days) of the first day of your child’s session, please email our Columbus Akita administrative office.
If you have any questions about the medical forms, please email our Columbus Akita administrative office or call (614) 488-0681, ext 113.
We require that program participants are appropriately immunized for the follow diseases: Diphtheria; Tetanus and if applicable, Tetanus booster (dT); Pertussis (whooping cough; DTaP); Mumps, Measles, Rubella (MMR); and Polio (IPV).
We do not require the COVID-19 vaccine, but we strongly encourage campers to receive the vaccination if they are eligible. Learn more about our COVID policies here.
All immunizations must be entered into the camper's health form two weeks (14 days) prior to their session. Incomplete records may result in the removal of a camper from their session.
If your camper has a medical exemption for an immunization that we require, we will need a completed Exemption From Immunization Requirements Form. If we do not receive the completed form two weeks (14 days) prior to check-in, the camper may be un-enrolled from their camp session.
If you have any questions, please email our Columbus Akita administrative office or call (614) 488-0681 ext 113.
To ensure the continued safety of every camper while at camp, self-administration will not be allowed by campers, L.I.F.E. Guard campers, or Backcountry campers. All medication (prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and supplements) must be administered by camp medical staff.
BEFORE CAMP:
For the safety of all campers, all medication MUST remain locked in our infirmary. Any medication (including prescriptions, ibuprofen travel packs, melatonin gummies, etc.) that is found to be in a camper’s possession outside of the infirmary will be confiscated. The ONLY medication that should remain with campers are Epi-Pens and emergency inhalers.
Camp Akita is very sensitive to the needs of children with severe allergies and makes every attempt to ensure a safe and healthy camp experience for all campers. In the best interest of all campers, PLEASE DO NOT SEND SNACKS WITH YOUR CAMPER..
If your child carries an Epi-Pen, we ask they carry it with them at all times; consider a small backpack or fanny pack. If possible, we strongly suggest sending two (2) Epi Pens with your camper.
We ask all campers with allergies to see the nurse at check-in, even if you do not carry an Epi-Pen. The nurse will go over your Allergy Plan Form with you to become familiarized with your camper’s needs.
If your camper is feeling ill prior to your camp session and/or experiencing potentially contagious symptoms (fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, body aches, and other COVID and/or flu-like symptoms), we ask that your camper please stay home. A camper must be fever and symptom free (including diarrhea-free) for 48 hours.
If a camper becomes sick while at camp, the camp nurse will contact parents to formulate the best plan of action. If the camper is exhibiting potentially contagious symptoms (fever, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, body aches, and other COVID and/or flu-like symptoms), the camper must return home. In prior summers, we would “wait and see” if campers felt better over time; “wait and see” is no longer a best practice for us, and instead, campers will return home to receive care from parents/guardians. Parent/guardians should plan to pick up their child within 2 hours of receiving a call from Camp Akita. In the meantime, campers will wait in the Infirmary or quarantine area. In the case of urgent need, the camp staff may arrange to meet parents at an Urgent Care or other location, but the camp staff will not arrange doctor visits.
We typically do not contact parents if a camper visits the infirmary for a minor problem which does not require a physician referral (skinned knee, headache, etc.). However, parents will be notified if a camper visits the infirmary three times for any one problem, even if the camp nurse does not feel the issue requires further action. For example, if a camper skins their knee and returns for care three times, the nurse will contact parents to let them know of the injury, even if the injury does not require more than cleaning and fresh bandages.
Although it is unfortunate, some campers must leave Camp Akita during a session due to illness, injury, or other circumstance. Camp Akita will not reimburse or pro-rate a refund due to a camper leaving mid-session, as we have incurred costs for the camper from the time of their arrival. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact our Columbus administrative office at (614) 488-0681, ext 113.
In the event of an emergency, parents will be notified as soon as possible; however, camp staff will not delay the transport of a camper for emergency treatment. Please make sure we can reach at least one of the emergency contacts listed for your camper at all times. As soon as we are able, camp staff will alert you of the incident, treatment plan, and where to meet (either at camp, at the urgent care, or at the hospital).
Our dedicated food service staff does their best to accommodate individuals with special dietary needs. If your child requires a special diet (e.g. gluten free, dairy free, etc.), please contact our Columbus Akita administrative office at (614) 488-0681, ext 113 to discuss those individual needs.
In rare circumstances, a camper’s dietary requirements exceed our capabilities. After discussing with our Columbus Office, campers may be advised to bring or supplement their own food. Arrangements should be made with the Columbus administrative office for packing and transporting food.
Please email our Columbus Akita administrative office or call (614) 488-0681 ext 113 to discuss individual needs.
We do not want medical needs to prevent campers from attending Camp Akita. If your child requires special accommodations, please communicate these needs in advance of registration so that we may work together to create a positive experience at Camp Akita. Unfortunately, our camp layout, programming, and the limitations of our staff means that Camp Akita may not accommodate everyone, and in some instances, we may recommend other camps that specialize in your camper’s specific needs. Please email our Columbus Akita administrative office or call (614) 488-0681 ext 113 to start the conversation
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