Health Information

Please remember that your child cannot start camp without his/her health form on file. All campers under the age of 6 must have turned in a physician signed copy of current (within one year of camper's starting date) Certificate of Good Health (HRS Form 3040) and Florida Certificate of Immunization, including a TB test (HRS Form 680) prior to the start of camp.

Campers from outside the United States require a physical performed by a United States physician. (Under state law, you must go to a local doctor or health department to get these certificates BEFORE your child can enter camp.) Please bring a copy of your child's immunization records from your country of origin WITH you to the local doctor or health department so that your information can be transferred. **Please allow sufficient time to visit a local doctor or health department upon arrival to the U.S. before camp starts. There are no exceptions.

The Emergency Release Form is also required to be on file before the start of your child's camp session.

We encourage your child to participate in every activity. A written note from the parent is required if the child is to be excused from participation.

If your child requires medication, please make sure to have an Authorization for Medication Form filled out and turned in to camp before your child's first day. Medication must be turned over to the camp's on-Site Director in its original bottle with the instructions printed clearly on the label.

Sickness

Please keep your child at home if he/she seems listless, unusually irritable, complains of a stomach ache, headache, earache, or seems to be unusually pale or flushed. It is better to be overcautious than to risk exposing the rest of the children and staff to contagion. From experience, we have found that in most cases, you will soon return to pick them up. A child should remain at home for 24 hours after a temperature goes down.

We are equipped to deal with minor cuts, scratches, abrasions, insect bites, dispensing of medications (oral or topical), etc. At Birch State Park EMS is located directly adjacent to the park in the event of a more serious injury should occur. At Oleta River State Park, EMS is located within 3 miles of the park on Biscayne Blvd. Please be sure to indicate any special medical concerns on the health form. It is important that we also be aware of any special concerns including ADHD, ADD, etc. and the medications needed, before the start of your child's session.

Please notify the camp immediately if your child incurs or is exposed to a contagious disease. The director will notify you if and when it is necessary to keep him/her home. This is determined according to the rules of the local board of health.

Please notify the camp if you are going to be away for several days, and who will be caring for your child in your absence. Often, your absence may account for unusual behavior or anxiety on the part of your child.

In the past sea lice and head lice have not been much of a problem, however, should a problem occur, we will notify you. We will also inform the other camp families with a printed informational sheet which will be sent home with the campers.