[osborncs]

I'm seriously considering being a camp nurse at Camp Lohikan in the Poconos. Anyone have experience there? It looks nice and the staff I have talked to have been courteous and welcoming. Specifically, I will be travelling a long way there, and am concerned about having my husband welcomed there for a visit. Also, I'll be flying in so won't have my own transportation.

Any info appreciated.

[NRSKarenRN]

Sorry, never heard of it. Where is it located?

Know of several camps in Pocano's, but not this one. Did you look at ACA camp site for info?

[osborncs]

Thanks for the idea. I'll check ACA.

[Jayonoway]

Wow...I just accepted a position there this summer! I've sent you an email so please contact me if you've accepted a position there.
Jill

[osborncs]

Originally Posted by Jayonoway

Wow...I just accepted a position there this summer! I've sent you an email so please contact me if you've accepted a position there.
Jill

Congratulations on your job at Camp Lohikan! I hear all good things about working there.

I have decided to take a position at Camp Shane, a fitness camp for overweight kids. It is in the Catskills Mountains in New York state. I'm looking forward to working in a cooler climate than Austin, Texas in the summer! Of course, Hell is cooler than Austin in the summer, so it should be an improvement no matter what.

Since overweight staff members are expected to abide by the food plan served there (and no snack food brought in!), I'm hoping to lop off some pounds myself. And, of course, looking forward to working with the youngsters.

Keep me posted on how Camp Lohikan goes. It looks great and, like I said, I've not heard anyone complain about it.

Catherine

[scsb79]

Need any further info I'll be happy to help you out.
email meat scsbbarm@hotmail.com

Originally Posted by Jayonoway

Wow...I just accepted a position there this summer! I've sent you an email so please contact me if you've accepted a position there.
Jill

[osborncs]

I left camp at the end of the first session (after giving 2-week notice.) It was much harder than I thought it would be. Not enough nurses; not very well organized. My fellow nurse and I were working 12 to 16 hour days every day except for one day off per week. I got sick and was on ABX by the time I went home. No heat or air conditioning in Infirmary. I don't think the kids got very much sleep, so URI's were rampant. Many kids didn't want to be there, so there were frequent Infirmary visits to get out of activities. Several campers were on multiple psychotropic meds. It was very difficult to get their meds to them on time. That is one of the things that took up so much time and effort.

I could go on, but that's the gist of it. Has anyone else had such a dismal experience in camp nursing? I've been encouraged to try again at another (non-profit) camp. The encouragement came from another nurse who has worked at camps for 10+ years.

I need a nap.

[nightingale]

osborncs:

Sorry your camp experience was not positive. I think many nurses have enjoyed their experience. I did not; you can research it in archives. In a nut shell it just was like a miniprison but my kids had the time of their life!

If you have kids to bring I think it makes a big difference in your acceptance of the set up as long as they are having fun.

[osborncs]

Originally Posted by nightngale1998

osborncs:

Sorry your camp experience was not positive. I think many nurses have enjoyed their experience. I did not; you can research it in archives. In a nut shell it just was like a miniprison but my kids had the time of their life!

If you have kids to bring I think it makes a big difference in your acceptance of the set up as long as they are having fun.

Thanks for the reply. I also got a similar reply from someone who worked at Camp Lohikan (which was my Number 2 choice!) She had to leave at the end of 2 weeks--just couldn't tolerate it anymore. May I ask where you had your camp nursing experience? I think there are good camps out there, we just have to research more. I have heard that Camp Illahee in N. Carolina is nice and they value their nurses.

Tried to find archives, but no luck. Have you done camp nursing since your experience? Did you inform the owner/manager of your thoughts about the camp conditions?

[nightingale]

Originally Posted by osborncs

May I ask where you had your camp nursing experience?

Tried to find archives, but no luck. Have you done camp nursing since your experience? Did you inform the owner/manager of your thoughts about the camp conditions?

My Camp Nurse Experience in Retrospect, not quite archived but one of the many readings of the Camp Forum:

http://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20262

They were aware I was unhappy.

I would do it again with a different camp. I volounteered " locally" to daycamps in the area but no one has had a need so far.

Good luck and let us know how you are doing.