Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 This is Jen Salem here. I am faced with a major problem and need advice from any parent of an older child. 's Brownie troop worked very hard to save enough money to do a 3-day 2 night sleepaway camp next September (yes, I am planning way ahead of time). I have just checked with the camp director, who very testily explained that all their counselors and staff are CPR and basic first aid trained, but no health aide is on staff. Then he made a comment about how without an emergency release form, they can't even dispense a bandaid without threat of lawsuit. (I'm thinking, OK, but wouldn't any child going to a sleepaway camp have an emergency release form?) Here is my problem. takes Periactin in the morning mixed with grape juice. She also takes one capsule of Prevacid opened up and sprinkled on a spoonful of yogurt or ice cream. She also drinks a small glass of orange juice with 1/2 capful of Miralax. Then before dinner, she takes her Periactin with Zantac mixed with grape juice. Then at bedtime, she would take her growth hormone injection. Now she would be leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on a Sunday evening. Here are my questions: 1) I think I can train one of the leaders to draw up the growth hormone, and then can give herself the shot. 2) But what do I do about her other meds? Is it fair to ask the leaders to take on multiple responsibilities like that? Or do we just skip the meds for days. However, we ran out of Periactin in Hawaii and it has been a nightmare getting back on it (the whining/tantrums in the day again). 3) What about eating regularly during the day? She is going to be running around and playing like a demon, you know it, and forgetting to snack. )(#$*)(#$*)#$*( This simply isn't fair. Now I know what my friend goes through whose daughter is a diabetic. But I don't want to go with to this sleep away camp. She should be able to go by herself without " mom. " 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel normal, and not abnormal with her mom along. Thoughts? HELP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 > 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high > school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along > with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring > everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel > normal, and not abnormal with her mom along This is a good idea..have you thought about a local nursing student? Then she would have understanding (more than someone with no medical training) of what she was doing...and most likely she would be young, so she'd still be " cool " for the girls to be around. You could put an ad up at the local community college or university, and you have plenty of time to check her out, see if she got along with your daughter, et. Who knows, it may be good to have someone like that around to be able to help out with other times too..when you need someone to be able to handle her medical concerns without seeming like a baby sitter! Plus, it may not really be -that- expensive, nursing students are usually pretty poor to begin with, and would welcome a bit of extra income. A lot of nursing students would jump at a chance like this (if they are smart) especially if they are considering peds nursing...it would be a great opportunity to learn about a rare condition and it's medical implications, but also learn about the child who has it. It gets very easy to regard you patients as the disease or disorder that they have, instead of the people that they are. This would give them a great insight into the personal aspect of nursing. Wow. That was long winded just to suggest a nurse in training, sorry! Good luck with your decision... Jen and Lance Xavier 17months, 17lbs!, 27in RSS, G-tube, Fundoplacation, 27 cal Soy Formula, Myrilax, ST, OT, PT, FT Emerald, 5, Non RSS Wyatt, 4, Non RSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hi , I have been concerned about this recently also, as Storm is old enough this year to go to camp. I assume they have some way to refrigerate the Gh, I would suggest pre-mixing the doses of medicine with the grape juice in small containers labeled with time med is to be given. Then put them all in a little insulated lunch bag. Maybe even a small seperate bag for AM and PM. And also remind the leaders that Lindsey needs extra snack and go ahead and send them too. I also would imagine that there are other children who also take regular medications going on this trip and that it is not just Lindsey. (I have a house full!) Anyhow, just some ideas that I hope will get your wheels turning! Blessings, Carmen, mom to Storm, 8y8m, 52 pounds, 48 inches + Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hi Jen, I am not the parent of an older child but I might suggest the following. I think you need to arrange with the camp staff about the medications, etc. It is NOT unrealistic to expect them to help your daughter out with this issue. We expect staff at schools to help so you should expect the same thing. After all, the camp is receiving money for your daughter being there. YOU are a consumer. Maybe you need to talk to the camp's owner if the director is uncooperative. Cindy HELP - Sleepaway camps This is Jen Salem here. I am faced with a major problem and need advice from any parent of an older child. 's Brownie troop worked very hard to save enough money to do a 3-day 2 night sleepaway camp next September (yes, I am planning way ahead of time). I have just checked with the camp director, who very testily explained that all their counselors and staff are CPR and basic first aid trained, but no health aide is on staff. Then he made a comment about how without an emergency release form, they can't even dispense a bandaid without threat of lawsuit. (I'm thinking, OK, but wouldn't any child going to a sleepaway camp have an emergency release form?) Here is my problem. takes Periactin in the morning mixed with grape juice. She also takes one capsule of Prevacid opened up and sprinkled on a spoonful of yogurt or ice cream. She also drinks a small glass of orange juice with 1/2 capful of Miralax. Then before dinner, she takes her Periactin with Zantac mixed with grape juice. Then at bedtime, she would take her growth hormone injection. Now she would be leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on a Sunday evening. Here are my questions: 1) I think I can train one of the leaders to draw up the growth hormone, and then can give herself the shot. 2) But what do I do about her other meds? Is it fair to ask the leaders to take on multiple responsibilities like that? Or do we just skip the meds for days. However, we ran out of Periactin in Hawaii and it has been a nightmare getting back on it (the whining/tantrums in the day again). 3) What about eating regularly during the day? She is going to be running around and playing like a demon, you know it, and forgetting to snack. )(#$*)(#$*)#$*( This simply isn't fair. Now I know what my friend goes through whose daughter is a diabetic. But I don't want to go with to this sleep away camp. She should be able to go by herself without " mom. " 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel normal, and not abnormal with her mom along. Thoughts? HELP!!!! _____ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 hi I agree with most, that you should get one of the camp workers to dispense s medication. It didnt sound to hard if you write it down for them and sign the emergency release. With the growth hormone, does have a night off each week in which case could you give the growth hormone early on the Friday and when she comes home on Sunday, so she doesnt have to take it?? Someone suggested premixing the meds with the juice, please dont consider this as it could effect the way the medication works, check with a pharmacist first if your thinking about it. Im sure we will all be intrested to see how she goes, this is a topic Im sure we will all come up against in the future. Good on you for letting her go on her own Jody(mum to Liam nearly 3, 9.1kg and Cameron 5) > This is Jen Salem here. I am faced with a major problem and need > advice from any parent of an older child. > > 's Brownie troop worked very hard to save enough money to do > a 3-day 2 night sleepaway camp next September (yes, I am planning > way ahead of time). > > I have just checked with the camp director, who very testily > explained that all their counselors and staff are CPR and basic > first aid trained, but no health aide is on staff. Then he made a > comment about how without an emergency release form, they can't even > dispense a bandaid without threat of lawsuit. (I'm thinking, OK, > but wouldn't any child going to a sleepaway camp have an emergency > release form?) > > > Here is my problem. takes Periactin in the morning mixed > with grape juice. She also takes one capsule of Prevacid opened up > and sprinkled on a spoonful of yogurt or ice cream. She also drinks > a small glass of orange juice with 1/2 capful of Miralax. Then > before dinner, she takes her Periactin with Zantac mixed with grape > juice. Then at bedtime, she would take her growth hormone injection. > > Now she would be leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on a > Sunday evening. Here are my questions: > > 1) I think I can train one of the leaders to draw up the growth > hormone, and then can give herself the shot. > > 2) But what do I do about her other meds? Is it fair to ask the > leaders to take on multiple responsibilities like that? Or do we > just skip the meds for days. However, we ran out of Periactin in > Hawaii and it has been a nightmare getting back on it (the > whining/tantrums in the day again). > > 3) What about eating regularly during the day? She is going to be > running around and playing like a demon, you know it, and forgetting > to snack. > > )(#$*)(#$*)#$*( This simply isn't fair. Now I know what my friend > goes through whose daughter is a diabetic. > > But I don't want to go with to this sleep away camp. She > should be able to go by herself without " mom. " > > 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high > school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along > with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring > everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel > normal, and not abnormal with her mom along. > > Thoughts? HELP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 , Is this place a regular Girl Scout camp with meals and beds, etc or is it a place that the Girl Scouts " rent " and they have to bring everything? That is important to know because it could affect how you handle it. If this is a regular camp, then they should have a nurse on staff at all times when kids are there. You could call the Girl Scout Council office and find out and pressure them to make sure one is there. I know that here, in NJ, all overnight and day camps have to have a nurse. HOWEVER, if this is a camp site, then all bets are off. Knowing what I do from my GS leader days, some of these sites have no running water, or limited running water, and no bathrooms other than outhouses. YUCK! I like the idea of giving her shot on Friday and then again when she gets home on Sunday. I don't think that skipping one night will make a difference. But I guess you should check with Dr. H. about that one. If there is sufficient refrigeration, then you could draw up the two syringes in advance and send them already prepared. As for the meds, I would do a compromise of what Carmen suggested. I would still measure out the meds and put them in individual plastic snack bags with the date and time marked on each one (you can put the grape juice in a separate container) and even include a small paper cup in each one that needs to be mixed with juice. I would do the same for snacks and label those, too. You could then group each of the snack bags into morning, afternoon, and evening for each day. When Max went to sleep away camp, there were two nurses there, so there was not a problem with meds. The counselors made sure he went at the appropriate times and he did. The nurses called me if there was a problem, but for the most part they handled everything on their own without a hitch. I'm glad you have awhile to make this decision and work out the kinks. But in the end you may have to go along just for the sake of 's health. You don't have to be a prominent part of her weekend, yet you may have to be a small part. That's one of the glitches with a special needs child. And, man, do I know that one! Jodi Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Thank you everyone for writing. Cindy - unfortunately, the camp " closes " after the summer -- they provide the site only for Girl and Boy Scout troops, and provide some minimal staff with activities. But the troop leaders are required to provide all first aid, etc. However, one of L's leaders, whose husband owns a home nursing company, has said she has no qualms about . She has offered to learn how to do the shots, and give L all her meds, and monitor her food. She is an organized mom. This camp is only 1 hour away from home, so I have decided that this is where I learn to let go -- I am going to do what some of you suggested and prepare meds all ahead of time in those Tupperware dixie cups with lids. Label them day and am and pm. And prepare a daily large ziplock bag with various snacks that the leader can just throw in her backpack. Thanks for your help!!! It's not until September ... when wants to go away for a week long camp, another story.... but those camps usually have a nurse or health aide, though. > Hi Jen, > > I am not the parent of an older child but I might suggest the following. > > I think you need to arrange with the camp staff about the medications, etc. It is NOT unrealistic to expect them to help your daughter out with this issue. We expect staff at schools to help so you should expect the same thing. After all, the camp is receiving money for your daughter being there. YOU are a consumer. Maybe you need to talk to the camp's owner if the director is uncooperative. > > Cindy > > HELP - Sleepaway camps > > > This is Jen Salem here. I am faced with a major problem and need > advice from any parent of an older child. > > 's Brownie troop worked very hard to save enough money to do > a 3-day 2 night sleepaway camp next September (yes, I am planning > way ahead of time). > > I have just checked with the camp director, who very testily > explained that all their counselors and staff are CPR and basic > first aid trained, but no health aide is on staff. Then he made a > comment about how without an emergency release form, they can't even > dispense a bandaid without threat of lawsuit. (I'm thinking, OK, > but wouldn't any child going to a sleepaway camp have an emergency > release form?) > > > Here is my problem. takes Periactin in the morning mixed > with grape juice. She also takes one capsule of Prevacid opened up > and sprinkled on a spoonful of yogurt or ice cream. She also drinks > a small glass of orange juice with 1/2 capful of Miralax. Then > before dinner, she takes her Periactin with Zantac mixed with grape > juice. Then at bedtime, she would take her growth hormone injection. > > Now she would be leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on a > Sunday evening. Here are my questions: > > 1) I think I can train one of the leaders to draw up the growth > hormone, and then can give herself the shot. > > 2) But what do I do about her other meds? Is it fair to ask the > leaders to take on multiple responsibilities like that? Or do we > just skip the meds for days. However, we ran out of Periactin in > Hawaii and it has been a nightmare getting back on it (the > whining/tantrums in the day again). > > 3) What about eating regularly during the day? She is going to be > running around and playing like a demon, you know it, and forgetting > to snack. > > )(#$*)(#$*)#$*( This simply isn't fair. Now I know what my friend > goes through whose daughter is a diabetic. > > But I don't want to go with to this sleep away camp. She > should be able to go by herself without " mom. " > > 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high > school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along > with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring > everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel > normal, and not abnormal with her mom along. > > Thoughts? HELP!!!! > > > > _____ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 Jen, It is not just a thought of having the leaders give the shots. Yes, they can be taught, no problem. However, in NY, a person who is not an RN or MD cannot give shots. The child can self-administer them, but they cannot. In NY to give medicine you have to be trained, or the child must self-medicate. In addition, a doctors and parents note must be given. I would check with the girl scouts as to what they can do for you. My doctor has the girls skip the nights of the sleepover, but double up before and after to make up the doses. My guess would be the leaders will give the medicine, and make sure about the snacks (though probably not to the extent you do, I give the girls extra Boost Plus cans, and they have to take one at Breakfast and one at bedtime to counteract the lack of eating I assume will happen). But, I don't know if they legally (or will feel comfortable) giving the shots. You will also need to check to make sure they will be able to take along all the items needed (grape juice etc.). It will be much easier if she could for instance use the same type of juice AM and PM. Ice cream is probably out, but yogurt might work. I am a camp director and we encounter this all the time. Several of us became Medication Administration trained so we could give all meds except invasive ones. You can't believe the rules etc we have to go by. Everytime I give a med, I have to go through at least five checks of the med, the kid etc. It also has to be logged and then signed off by an RN (we have a nurse that checks our records/medical forms once a week). If you need more info, let me know. I would skip the shots for the two days, and see what meds I could skip, or consolidate. However, if skipping the meds throws it all off (the Periactin) that will be easier to get given than the shots in my opinion. The kids on GHT at my camp either self-administer, or skip until they get home. Good luck! let me know if I can help anymore (if I didn't totally depress you yet!!). It will work out, I promise. Eileen Mom to alyssa and 5/26/91 both GHT and RSS > This is Jen Salem here. I am faced with a major problem and need > advice from any parent of an older child. > > 's Brownie troop worked very hard to save enough money to do > a 3-day 2 night sleepaway camp next September (yes, I am planning > way ahead of time). > > I have just checked with the camp director, who very testily > explained that all their counselors and staff are CPR and basic > first aid trained, but no health aide is on staff. Then he made a > comment about how without an emergency release form, they can't even > dispense a bandaid without threat of lawsuit. (I'm thinking, OK, > but wouldn't any child going to a sleepaway camp have an emergency > release form?) > > > Here is my problem. takes Periactin in the morning mixed > with grape juice. She also takes one capsule of Prevacid opened up > and sprinkled on a spoonful of yogurt or ice cream. She also drinks > a small glass of orange juice with 1/2 capful of Miralax. Then > before dinner, she takes her Periactin with Zantac mixed with grape > juice. Then at bedtime, she would take her growth hormone injection. > > Now she would be leaving on a Friday afternoon and coming back on a > Sunday evening. Here are my questions: > > 1) I think I can train one of the leaders to draw up the growth > hormone, and then can give herself the shot. > > 2) But what do I do about her other meds? Is it fair to ask the > leaders to take on multiple responsibilities like that? Or do we > just skip the meds for days. However, we ran out of Periactin in > Hawaii and it has been a nightmare getting back on it (the > whining/tantrums in the day again). > > 3) What about eating regularly during the day? She is going to be > running around and playing like a demon, you know it, and forgetting > to snack. > > )(#$*)(#$*)#$*( This simply isn't fair. Now I know what my friend > goes through whose daughter is a diabetic. > > But I don't want to go with to this sleep away camp. She > should be able to go by herself without " mom. " > > 4) Here is another idea. What if I could find a college or high > school student to hire for the 3 days -- we could send her along > with the leaders and she could be 's shadow, ensuring > everything. It would be expensive, but then would feel > normal, and not abnormal with her mom along. > > Thoughts? HELP!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2004 Report Share Posted April 24, 2004 I forgot to ask if this was a year-round camp which should by Health Dept. Regs have at least an RN, or just a site where they go camping with no staff supplied by the camp. I know the scouts require leaders to be trained first aid, but not much more. Our day camp during the summer has an RN, but during the year for Day Care we have the MAT (medication adminsistration) and RTE (responding to emergencies) trained people. Hope this helps. Eileen > Jen, > > It is not just a thought of having the leaders give the shots. Yes, > they can be taught, no problem. However, in NY, a person who is not > an RN or MD cannot give shots. The child can self-administer them, > but they cannot. In NY to give medicine you have to be trained, or > the child must self-medicate. In addition, a doctors and parents > note must be given. > > I would check with the girl scouts as to what they can do for you. > My doctor has the girls skip the nights of the sleepover, but double > up before and after to make up the doses. My guess would be the > leaders will give the medicine, and make sure about the snacks > (though probably not to the extent you do, I give the girls extra > Boost Plus cans, and they have to take one at Breakfast and one at > bedtime to counteract the lack of eating I assume will happen). But, > I don't know if they legally (or will feel comfortable) giving the > shots. > > You will also need to check to make sure they will be able to take > along all the items needed (grape juice etc.). It will be much easier > if she could for instance use the same type of juice AM and PM. Ice > cream is probably out, but yogurt might work. > > I am a camp director and we encounter this all the time. Several of > us became Medication Administration trained so we could give all meds > except invasive ones. You can't believe the rules etc we have to go > by. Everytime I give a med, I have to go through at least five > checks of the med, the kid etc. It also has to be logged and then > signed off by an RN (we have a nurse that checks our records/medical > forms once a week). If you need more info, let me know. I would > skip the shots for the two days, and see what meds I could skip, or > consolidate. However, if skipping the meds throws it all off (the > Periactin) that will be easier to get given than the shots in my > opinion. The kids on GHT at my camp either self-administer, or skip > until they get home. > > Good luck! let me know if I can help anymore (if I didn't totally > depress you yet!!). > > It will work out, I promise. > > Eileen > Mom to alyssa and 5/26/91 both GHT and RSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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