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Camp Prep #6: Camper Care & Medical Teams
Shalom, Parents!
Welcome back to the WimberLead, your weekly news source for camp preparation.
This week’s topic: Camper Care and Medical Teams
They say that laughter is the best medicine. While your children can expect great amounts of laughter this summer, we prefer more traditional and scientific methods of wellness. Keeping your loved ones both physically and emotionally healthy is our highest priority, a subject we cover in this week’s WimberLead.
Much like other classic duos, such as Lennon and McCartney, Starsky and Hutch, or Fey and Poehler, this talented team is greater than the sum of its parts. We will work tirelessly to keep your kids happy and healthy, making sure they fully enjoy all that camp has to offer.
Camper Care
Sometimes known as the “Camp Moms”, this team is dedicated to supporting your kids’ emotional well-being. Like a Jewish Bat Signal, a parent’s question about their child sends our Camper Care team into action, reaching out to campers and their staff to get you answers. Our team not only helps campers, counselors, and parents navigate any issues that may arise, but also works proactively with the counselors on inclusiveness and effective strategies for managing kids of all ages.
If there is anything our staff and Camper Care team should know to best support your child, please make sure that you have included it in your child’s Camper Profile. The more we know, the more effective our staff can be, the more fun your children will have, and the better you’ll sleep at night. (I don’t think we need to sell you on the value of a good night’s sleep.) After submitting, the Camper Profile can still be edited. Please add any missing or additional details two weeks prior to the start of your child’s camp session so we can finalize the Camper Profiles. The more info we have, the better.
Please be patient if you reach out to Camper Care, as it takes time to properly address your questions. Some steps they will take include checking in with your camper’s Merakez/et (unit head), their counselors, and observe their interactions with other campers. We want to get the most information about your camper’s experience to address any concerns you may have. You should expect a reply from the Camper Care Team within 24 hours, excluding Shabbat.
Medical Care
Our full-time Medical Care team consists of 2 registered nurses and 2 medical assistants, along with doctors who visit throughout the session. Our health team will administer all medications and treat all minor injuries and illnesses.
Things our nurses will contact you about:
- Overnight stays in the Health Center
- Repeat visits for a recurring issue
- A routine or emergency service requiring a physician visit outside of camp
- New prescription needed
Things our nurses will not contact you about:
- Cuts
- Scrapes
- The latest episode of “Grey’s Anatomy”
Pre-camp tips to help the Medical Staff on Opening Day:
- Double check your Health History Form. ALL medications MUST be listed on your Health History form. Make sure that any medication is listed on your child's Health History Form WITH THE CORRECT DOSAGES. The dosages on CampMinder should match the instructions on the prescription bottle from the pharmacy that you bring to camp. IF THESE DO NOT MATCH, WE CANNOT ADMINISTER THE MEDICATION. Like the Camper Profile, this form can be updated even after it’s submitted, so please review it ASAP.
- Please do not send over-the-counter medications, unless it is something your camper takes daily (like Zyrtec, Claritin, or Melatonin). We have most everything in stock. To allow us permission to give as-needed over the counter medications to your children, please click the consent in your Health History Form. Click here for the list of those OTC (over the counter) medications that we provide if needed (please note that this is only for those OTC meds that are taken as needed, not those that must be taken daily)
- Please pack ALL allowed medications together in one Ziploc bag (they’re not sponsoring us although they really should be). You will be able to give these to the nurse during check-in on Opening Day. Include in the bag written instructions (don’t write on the bag, it’s too hard to read and it smudges.) Make sure that all prescriptions are current and that medicines are in their original packaging.
- We will not accept gummies or liquid medications, unless there are no alternatives. Please contact the nursing staff if you need to request an exemption for a gummy or liquid.
While you are always welcome to call us, the best way to reach us at camp is by email. Your questions are best documented in your words, and our internal system ensures that emails are responded to in a timely manner. To reach our Medical and Camper Care teams, use one of these addresses:
- campercare@cyjtexas.org (Camper Care team): Though they will respond as soon as possible, please keep in mind that they are out and about with your campers most of the day and do not always have immediate access to emails.
- nurse@cyjtexas.org (Health Center): The nurses can answer any medical questions or concerns that you have.
If you aren't sure who to email, use info@cyjtexas.org and your questions will get routed to the right place.
We will do our best to reply the same day to all emails received before 6:00 PM. Please keep in mind that our offices are closed for Shabbat, so give us a little extra time to get back to you.
As always, if you have any questions as you get ready for camp, let us know: info@cyjtexas.org or 713-723-8354. You can also search our Knowledge Base to learn more about not only our Camper Care and Medical teams, but anything else you need to know as you get ready for camp.
Next up in the Camp Prep series: Parent Survival Guide
Click on the links below to read previous Camp Prep emails: