ready to head to camp this summer and enjoy the great outdoors—but coming down with a sunburn or a painful bug bite can easily put a damper on their day, and even cause long term illness.
This checklist will help parents pack the essentials for any outdoor adventure:
• Bug Spray
Your kids will most likely explore spaces occupied by creatures such as ants, spiders, flies, bees, mosquitoes and ticks, which can cause harmful rashes, or serious illness (such as Lyme disease). Make sure they apply bug spray on their exposed skin and clothes before venturing outdoors. Children should also have long pants and long sleeved, lightweight clothing options to wear on hikes to help decrease the risk of insect bites. It is also important to teach your children how to check for ticks each night.
• Calamine Lotion
Bug bites are very common during the summer months. When bites occur despite use of bug spray, calamine lotion can be applied to ease itchiness and irritation. Be sure your child knows to notify staff if there are any signs of infection, such as oozing, pain, increasing redness of the area affected, so they can be seen and treated for a possible infection.
• Sunscreen
A sunburn can creep up on anyone, especially during a hike. Medical experts recommend the use of sunscreen lotion with an SPF of 30 or higher for any extended outdoor activity. It’s also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours—more frequently if your child has been sweating or swimming.
• Sunglasses
Sun exposure damages the eyes as well as the skin. The best way to protect your child’s eyes is to wear sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection. This will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other forms of eye damage.
• Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen (give to a responsible staff member to administer if necessary)
Sunburn can be painful and uncomfortable so acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to help alleviate the pain or discomfort. Sun poisoning can cause a range of symptoms including headache, fever, nausea and fatigue, so young campers should know to reach out to an adult if they have these symptoms along with a significant sunburn, as they might need additional treatment.
• First Aid Kit
Not only will a great first aid kit help with injuries that commonly occur while out camping, but it can keep staff and children prepared for survival situations that might arise while out on a longer trip or hike.
• Refillable water bottle
Staying hydrated is extremely important, especially with increased outdoor activities over the summer. Be sure your child knows to drink at least 3 bottles per day. Help them get into the fun of having it with them all day by decorating it themselves with stickers and such.
Source: www.medstarhealth.org
