Camp Nurses - Please Introduce Yourself Here.

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At someones suggestion, to introduce herself, this thread was started. I will start:

I was a Camp Nurse in 2000 at a private camp in upstate New York in the Birkshire Mountains. I was there for a month and had a so so time but my kids did have a wonderful experience. My duo, now 17 and 15, share wonderful memories of that summer.

I hope we can here from others with current experiences as well. Where are y'all going this summer? Or, are you there already.

Please take some time in introducing yourself. Let me know if you want other "Stickey's" or what we can do to modify this Forum to make it more interesting for you.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Medicine, Psychiatry, Home C.

Hi,

I am new to this site. I will be working as a camp nurse for the first time this summer. I have been a registered nurse for 25 years. My specialties have been in pediatrics, geriatrics and psychiatry. I look forward to talking with many of you and to get some advice on how to be more effective as a camp nurse. Likewise, I hope to assist anyone in need.

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Specializes in lactation, MRDD, elder-care.

Is this still an active thread? If so... or if not... Same difference!

I was a camp counselor for a number of years, in a number of states. Loved camp! Worked as a cabin counselor, then a swim instructor/guard. Grew up, had kids, quit camp stuff, d/t real life.

Now that my kids are a little older, I decided to get back into it. I've got a Natural Resources degree, so the outdoor world is very comfortable to me. First I was told, the nurse needed "just first aid." Since I was a student nurse, and had "professional first aid" or whatever it's called, I decided to apply. No, they want a "nurse." So they hired a reluctant LPN. Got through LPN school, they decided they wanted an RN, so they hired a *student RN* who was in her 2nd year, and just happened to be related to the camp director... You'd think I'd learn my lesson!!

This year, they came to me, wanting a nurse, but this summer, I'll be back to school to finish my RN. **sheesh**

Some day, I'll be a camp nurse. Of course, it'll be after my kids have outgrown camp, and my main reason (to keep tabs on them/be around them/their peers) will be over.

Haven't given up my dream of being a camp nurse! I still love camp, and teach different outdoor education classes (tracking, skinning, tanning, hiking) to fill my craving!

Best wishes!

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Hi,my name is Cheryl, and I am a registered nurse who loves camp nursing:yeah:. In Camp off season I work in a pediatric unit of a local community hospital and I teach part time in a college for the BScN program (hoping to get on full time faculty in the fall) It will be my 30th summer working as a camp nurse this year and prior to that I had held other positions at different summer camps (including counsellor, director,and everything inbetween). I work in Ontario, Canada, for my 10th summer at my current camp in the Niagra Region. I have been a member of the Ontario Health Care Committee of the OCA for a number of years (which by the way is a great way to keep involved in current camp trends in your area). In April I will be travelling to Chicago for a camp nurse symposium and hope to learn even more! I am trying to put together a list of what every nurse should pack for camp (not meaning first aid supplies in general), specifically tools of the trade like a good pediatric stethascope. Any ideas of a website or list that I could use that would be user friendly for a brand new camp nurse would be appreciated!

:nurse: Looking forward to hearing from others soon!

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Hi

I have been a camp nurse for 18 yrs now and for the first time in 17 yrs I find myself going to a new camp. I am a little nervous because my old camp had become such a summer home to me. But I am sure it will be fun even if it is different. I will feel like a nomad this summer. Doing a week at my old camp with a diabetes camp, then 2 weeks at one new camp, 4 weeks at another new camp and then 2 weeks back at my old camp with another medical camp. It will be strange not being in one place the whole summer.

Rose in Altoona PA

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Hello All!

I am an LPN, currently in school for my BSN full-time in the spring and fall. So as not to "waste" my very hard-earned LPN, I have accepted a job as a camp nurse this summer. I will be working in a well-staffed health office and never be working alone, so I feel confident about my support system and am truly excited to be going to camp. I am also pretty young (and very short!!) so I think I will really bond with my campers.

Good luck to everyone this summer! I will hopefully report back when I get a chance periodically throughout the season (camp goes from June 22-August 16).

-Mandy

:nurse:

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Specializes in med surg/ SNF.

Hi,

Im Stacie LPN

Im going to WV this summer for my 1st summer camp job.

Im pretty excited and a tiny bit worried about what to expect. They are providing my 2 kids camp and travel $ its just for 2 weeks, but I know I will have to have some $. I looked at the packing list for the kids and just cot sheets are $80! I would like some insight on what to stock, bring etc. I've raised 4 kids and feel confident I can handle minor stuff, and the closest hosp is 9 miles away. So this brings some relief. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.:nurse:

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HI, which camp? Is this your first CLV experience? I am getting ready for year 4 at Korean Camp, and it is the BEST!

Sup So Gui Hosu, Sarang he-yo!

(Camp Lake in the Woods, WE love you!)

Eun-Hae

(Heather)

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Wow.. this is a position I never even thought of! I'm finding such great ideas today!:yeah:

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Hey - My name is Cathy - preparing to go to my fifth summer at Camp Sea Gull, a sailing YMCA camp along the NC seaboard. We take care of >1000 campers/counselors at a time, it is really alot of fun - I recommend it to anyone - especially if you can take your children. I took my teenaged boys, and we were able to have quality time like we haven't seen in many years.

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Specializes in Public Health, School, Camp.

Hi I'm a student nurse, graduating in May this year. I took my first position as a camp nurse at a Bible Camp in Wisconsin for this coming summer. I am excitedly awaiting this summer, but any advice from those of you who are more experienced would be greatly appreciated!

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Hi,

I am not sure if this is where I introduce myself, so sorry. I am going to be a camp nurse for a month this summer at a boys camp in Maine. I get to bring my two sons. I haven't received the list yet of what to bring, so we'll see how that goes. I am very excited as I have never had the chance to be a camp nurse. I have been a RN for over 30 years, so hopefully my past experience will help me.

Denise

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hi everyone!

my name is lisa. i've been working as a camp nurse since my first year as a new grad. i was shown the ropes by an older, experienced nurse, and after that first year, i was on my own. i absolutely love it! i do 4, week long camps, which include blind camp, junior, teen and family camp. over the years, the other 2 nurses have either retired, relocated or lost interest in camp nursing. so, i've been on my own for quite a few years now. actually, for blind camp, there have been two of us for several years, but for the rest, it's up to me. it's a beautiful camp by the sea, in nova scotia, canada. the camp atmosphere is something i enjoy so much...maybe because i was too shy to attend camp as a child! the kids are wonderful! oh, there are always challenges, but over all, i can honestly say i've never regretted going to camp.

my office does have electricity, but no running water, or even a sink. keeping everything clean and hygienic always takes some doing! :) our budget is limited, but we have the basics. i must admit, it's always bothered me that we don't have a portable o2 tank. it is very expensive for only 4 weeks, and the tank would be expired by the next year. but, we have many older campers with health problems, and there have been times when i would have given my right arm to have had access to oxygen. i guess this is the norm with camp nursing! i'd love to hear how the rest of you cope with "camp conditions" or lack of supplies. also, i'd enjoy knowing what your routines are like...do you have specific education needs with your campers, or other protocols that you follow? things is the u.s. are probably different than here in canada, and i love to learn new approaches. hope we can exchange stories!

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