Health & Wellness

Welcome to Camp Arrowhead’s Infirmary!   

 We want your camper to enjoy their time here. The goal of the Infirmary staff is to maximize your camper’s experience here at Camp Arrowhead and minimize any time they might have to spend in the Infirmary. In order to accomplish this, camp has a residential Registered Nurse and an EMT that are available to the campers 24/7. The nurse works in collaboration with a local physician. During staff training each summer, counseling staff participate in Community CPR and first aid training. 

If you have specific concerns and would like to contact our nurse in advance - please call her extension at camp 302.945.0610  x112. She can only be reached at this number from 2 weeks before first session through mid August.In the winter and spring please contact the camp office to be put in touch with the nurse.

The Infirmary

The Infirmary is open to all campers three times daily: after each meal for any health concern the camper may have. 

The infirmary has a treatment room, bathroom, and a boys and a girls sick room just in case your camper needs to spend time there. 

Some reasons a camper might be admitted to stay at the Infirmary:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea 
• Fever greater than 100.0 Fahrenheit 
• Extreme Dysmenorrhea
• Heat Exhaustion
• Migraines
• Asthma Attacks
• Head Injury Observation

Upon arrival, your camper will undergo a health screening process. This will include a few simple questions regarding health related issues, a head check for lice, and a temperature check and an observation of any skin conditions (rashes or open wounds). The purpose of this is to provide prompt care that promotes a fun and safe camp season here at Arrowhead. We also want to ensure that parents are aware should their child have a concerning health issue. 

Following is a list of conditions for which the Infirmary would call a camper’s guardian:  

• Admission to the Infirmary
• Any Doctor or Emergency Room Visits
• Suspected Fractures 
• Strong Allergic Reactions 
• Injury Resulting Facial Marks or Bruising
• Lice Infestation
• Fevers over 101° That Do Not Respond Well To Medication. 
• First Time Menstruation
• "Cutting"  or Other Self-Injury 
• Suspected Eating Disorder Behaviors
• Suicidal Ideation
• Any situation camp staff deems significant

Staying Healthy at Camp
​Begins at Home

Here are some things you can  do to assure your child has a great summer camp experience.

1. If your child is showing signs of illness before camp, please keep them home until they feel better. This will greatly reduce the  spreading of an illness at camp. They should be fever free (Under 100*), without medication, for 24 hours before coming to camp.

2. Teach your child to sneeze in his/her sleeve, and to wash his/her hands often.

3. Fatigue plays a part in injuries. If children are going to day camp, ensure they get enough rest at night. If children are going to resident camp, explain that camp is not like a sleepover. Explain to your child that he/she should not try to stay up all night!

4. Follow the Packing List.  

• Campers are required to to wear closed-toed shoes.  They help avoid slips, trips, and falls, and many injuries.   
• Talk to your children about when and how to use sunscreen and insect repellent - and pack a sufficient amount in your camper's luggage.
• Please emphasize the importance of staying hydrated and send a reusable water bottler with your camper.  Your child can refill it frequently during their camp stay.
• When packing your child's medication please ensure that they are in their original prescription containers and only include the amount needed for their stay at camp. Medications not in their original container will not be accepted. It is of utmost importance that the infirmary staff can see the original medication instructions as written by the child’s healthcare provider. 
• Send enough clothes so your child can wear layers. Mornings and evenings can be chilly and our afternoons tend to be hot. This enables your child to peel layers off as the weather warms.

5. The American Camp Association’s® parent-dedicated website, provides a wide range of educational resources to help parents make good health-related decisions for children.

Tick Bites

Tick bites are a common occurrence in the state of Delaware that unfortunately impacts Camp Arrowhead. This is important because ticks may carry a variety of diseases. One of the more common diseases is Lyme’s Disease.

We strive to promote tick bite prevention and tick-borne illness by continually screening campers for ticks. Camp Arrowhead is not responsible for the prophylactic screening or treatment of Lyme’s Disease.  However, if your child displays any questionable symptoms it is important to notify your primary health care provider that your child may have had a tick bite at camp.

Another Tick Bite Resource

Tick Borne Illnesses

•  Lyme’s Disease
  
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
  
• Anaplasmosis
  
• Babesiosis
  
• Erlichiosis

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever or Chills
  
• Aches and Pains
  
• Rash