Camp Safety and Medical Information

Medical Care and Policies

Our Summer Camp Healthcare Manager ensures the health and safety of all campers and staff. They will remain on-site and available 24 hours per day to respond in the event of an unexpected accident. All camp staff are First Aid/CPR/AED trained and certified to tend to camper needs. 

Health Forms

The State of Minnesota requires children's camps to collect a certificate of health for each camper (minors and adults). The certificate of health will be based on a physical examination performed no more than 90 days before camp attendance, and the physician must sign it. You can read more about the statute here.  This document is provided in the online registration an can be uploaded once complete.

Additional medical history information is collected in our online registration. This information helps our heath care staff know your camper's medical history in the event they are sick. These forms are confidential.

Medication

All medication will need to be turned in to the Health Care Manager upon arrival to camp. All medication must be listed on the camper's health form, be in the original container, and have the camper's name. Medication listed/not listed on CampDoc that is brought to camp is under the discretion of the healthcare manger in conversation with the parent/guardian.

It is recommended that campers who take medication during the school year should strongly consider remaining on their medication during camp, but this is ultimately at the doctor's discretion and should be noted on the medical form with the doctor's signature.

Head Lice Policy

Northwoods Camp has a no head lice policy. 

Please check all campers (youth and adults) for head lice before coming to camp. Everyone staying at camp will have a head check when they arrive at camp. If lice or nits are discovered, the individual may not remain at camp. At camp, children play in close contact with each other, simply exchanging hats, clothing, using another's brush or comb, pillow, or another personal article can result in the transmission of head lice from one child to another. Lice can even be transferred in the confines of a vehicle. It is best to check campers before they leave for camp.

Lice can be easily and effectively treated. However, we will not treat campers with lice at camp. The camper will need to return home for treatment. Those sent home for treatment may return for a later camp if they are found to be free of lice and nits.

If you do discover head lice, contact your doctor or the health department, or purchase a non-prescriptive head lice preparation from a drugstore, and follow the directions carefully.

Discipline Policy

Behavior Expectations

1. RESPECT: Respect our property, ourselves, and each other.
2. SAFETY: Making choices that keep myself and others from getting hurt.
3. CLEANLINESS: Picking up after myself AND others. Using clean language.
4. CARING: Including others, being a leader, helping others, listening to others.

Discipline Procedures

1. First Instance - Warning/Reminder
   • Verbal reminder of camp expectations
   • Inform that there will be consequences if the behavior continues
2. Second Instance - Negative Behavior Continues
   • Natural Consequence appropriate to the situation
     • Example 1: Camper has their feet on the lunchroom table. The Counselor will have the camper clean the entire lunchroom table.
     • Example 2: Camper is throwing garbage on the ground. The Counselor will have the camper find ten pieces of garbage or littler to throw away.
   • Acknowledge the camper's willingness to complete the consequence, while reiterating the camp expectations.
   • Inform what the consequence would be if the behavior occurs for a third time.
3. Third Instance - Unfavored Consequence
   • Issue an unfavored conference to camper
     • Example 1: Camper will sit out for part of choice time to write 10 ways they can show respect to camp.
     • Example 2: Camper will go on a walk with the Counselor during choice time to discuss the ways they will make safer choices.
   • Acknowledge the campers willingness to complete the consequence, while reiterating the camp expectations.
   • Inform that if the behavior occurs a fourth time, the camper will be making a phone call home.
4. Fourth Instance - Phone Call Home
   • At the fourth instance, the Divisional Youth Secretary (DYS) will be notified. An incident report may be filed as appropriate.
   • Camper will call home to explain what behaviors they are demonstrating at camp. that could result in being sent home early.
   • If the Counselor and DYS agree that the behavior is severely disrupting the camp experience for their peers and staff, the camper will inform their parent(s) they are being sent home early. Appropriate travel arrangements will be made.

Zero Tolerance

If the behavior includes any physical contact (with another camper, staff member, leader or officer), threats that are sexual in nature, include any other behaviors which brought harm to any person or put others at risk of being harmed, or being in possession of any tobacco or alcohol products, the camper will be immediately expelled from camp. A Safe From Harm report will be completed by the leader/officer/staff member who witnessed the behavior.