Medical Policies: Prescription Medication

For safety reasons, most medicine is forbidden in the bunks and is turned over to the medical staff. The medical staff distributes all prescriptions throughout the day. Both the nurse and counselors know when campers should be taking their medicine, and they work together to help a camper maintain his or her regimen. For treatments taken before bedtime, a medical staff member will find campers individually and deliver their prescription every night. 

These medications will be dropped off with the appropriate staff member at camp drop off (either at the bus or the in-person drop off when you do your kid's check).

All Medication in Pill Form (Both Prescription and Over-the-Counter):

• Medications MUST be sent in their original bottle, whether prescription or not. 
• Any prescriptions need to be sent to camp in their original pill bottle, with the original prescription from the pharmacy printed on them. If the instructions on the bottle are NOT how the camper takes the medication (i.e., the pill bottle says take one pill, but Moshe takes 2), we will be unable to administer it. 
• Any OTC medications taken daily or regularly (Zyrtec, melatonin): Please send in the original pill bottle. We will not administer gummy medications. If your camper currently takes gummies, please find a chewable or swallowable pill option. Additionally, please do not send liquid medications if there is another option (i.e., chewable) for your camper. 
• Any OTC medications you want your camper to have access to: Please do not send Tylenol, Advil, Zyrtec if your camper doesn't take it with some regularity (i.e. - 3x/week or more). We have these at camp and will administer as needed, provided you give us permission when filling out the camp health forms! 
• "As Needed" Medications: Make sure this is noted on the bottle and in your camper's medical forms. Talk with your camper before camp about seeing the medical staff if they need this medication.
• Melatonin: Because of how bedtime medications at camp work, it is sometimes difficult for a camper to choose whether or not they need melatonin on a nightly basis. We recommend you make a plan with your camper ahead of time as to whether they will take the melatonin at camp or not. We find that some campers who need it at home are more active while at camp and are able to fall asleep more easily than at home, but some campers prefer to continue to use it regularly for consistency. 

All Other Prescription Medication (creams, EpiPens, inhalers, eye drops, nasal sprays, etc.):

• All creams can be kept with the camper in the bunk, provided you feel they are responsible enough to apply creams themselves and not share. If not, we will keep it in the health center and can give it to the camper upon request. 
• EpiPens and inhalers are typically kept in the health center and with our emergency medication kit at all times. This is so that the medical staff can closely monitor any situations where they may be needed and escalate care accordingly. 

Special note on ADD/ADHD Medicines: 

If your child has ADD/ADHD, it is important to discuss with your physician the administration of medications during the summer. While school is out, the unique environment of Camp is still a learning experience. Camp emphasizes experiential learning and builds social skills. For the sake of this growth and for safety reasons, campers still need attention and vigilance while at camp. Please discuss your child's summer plans with his/her physician. Many parents find that with medication, their child is better able to cope with camp and have a successful summer. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our medical staff with individual medication questions: nurse@cyjtexas.org