Health & Wellness

While we recognize that trips to the health center are not completely unavoidable, we work diligently to minimize any time spent away from camp activities. This means that we take a proactive, holistic approach to caring for your camper. Ways that we do this include, but are not limited to, focusing on the importance of:

• handwashing
• bug spray
• sunscreen
• hydration
• rest

Our health center is staffed by licensed health professionals and health care assistants. A physician acts as the medical director, providing a yearly review of our policies and treatment protocols.

Filling out your camper's Medical History Form is the best way for us to know how to serve your camper. Any time a camper goes offsite for care or if a camper has to stay overnight in the health center, we will contact you.

Sky Ranch has comprehensive policies and procedures in place to monitor for all infectious illnesses, including measles. Our experienced health staff is trained to recognize the symptoms of common infectious diseases and follow strict protocols for isolating and managing any cases. In the event of a diagnosis of any infectious illness, we will work closely with local health authorities and communicate transparently with parents.

A note about Emergency Contacts

On your camper's health form, you will be asked to list additional Emergency Contacts. These individuals can be any trusted adults in your life, in addition to you. In the event of an emergency, if we cannot reach you or any other administrator on the account, we will contact the Emergency Contacts listed here. We recommend letting those people know you have named them on this form, as the expectation is that someone could be at camp in Van, TX, within 2 hours in the event of an emergency. Please ensure the Emergency Contact has the Camper Code image.

Health Tips for Camp Prep

A healthy camp starts at home! As you prepare to send your child to camp, here are some ways that you can ensure they have a wonderful experience:

• Prevent the spread of illness:
  • If your child shows signs of illness, please keep them home. This greatly reduces the spread of illness at camp.
  • Teach your child to sneeze in his/her sleeve and to wash their hands often at home and at camp.
• Staying Hydrated: Send a reusable water bottle so it can be refilled frequently during the week.

Medications

Commonly Used Medications 

The Health Center stocks commonly used medications, such as Tylenol, for as-needed use.

Bringing Medications

If your child takes medication regularly, it will be stored in our health center and dispensed by a licensed health professional. All medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) must be checked in when you drop off your camper.

To help expedite your check-in process on Sunday, please follow the instructions below:

• Original packaging required for all medications
  • Both prescription and over-the-counter medications must be in their original packaging and contain only the medication identified on the container.
  • Do not put medications in pill containers.
• Legible prescription label
  • If your child requires a prescription medication, the prescription label must be legible and include the camper’s name.
  • Do not use old bottles or those belonging to another family member, as they will not be administered per state law.
  • Prescription label instructions will be followed. If your child’s doctor has recently changed the timing or frequency of the medication, make sure the prescription label is up to date.
• Non-FDA-approved medications need an order from a licensed provider
  • Non-FDA-approved medications include most vitamins, oils, and dietary supplements, and will only be accepted and administered to your camper if accompanied by an order that is signed by a licensed provider (MD, DO, NP, or PA).
  • This order must instruct us on when and how much to give. This is to ensure your camper's safety and comply with the Nurse Practice Act.
• Check the expiration date
  • Expired medication will not be administered per state law.
• Rescue Inhalers and EpiPens
  • The ONLY medications permitted to be kept with the counselors are RESCUE inhalers (with spacer) and EpiPens. These are the only medications that our counselors are trained to administer. Campers are not allowed to keep their own rescue medications for safety reasons.
  • A counselor who has your child’s rescue medication will be with your child at all times. The counselors are allowed to keep glucometers.
  • If you have any questions, please contact JenW@SkyRanch.org prior to camp.
• Picking up medication:
  • All medications can be picked up by parents on the last day of camp.
  • Medications that are not picked up will be disposed of, so please stop by our medication return table.
  • If your child has a rescue medication kept by the counselor (EpiPen or rescue inhaler), it is your responsibility to obtain these from your child’s counselor when you pick up your child from camp.

To serve your family with excellence, we follow the regulations for Colorado and Texas Youth Camps and subscribe to the American Camp Association standards.

Special Dietary Requirements

We are happy to accommodate your camper's needs! When completing the Medical History form for your camper's registration, please complete the section on food allergies and dietary requirements. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact our food service department directly by emailing FoodService@SkyRanch.org.

Bed Bug Prevention

Bed bugs have become more common in the United States and worldwide over the past few years. Sky Ranch takes several precautions to ensure facilities are free of these pests, but as with all hospitality businesses, we have no control over the potential of guests bringing in bed bugs.

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