Letter to parents re: lice policy?

[CloudySue]

Hi... I was wondering if your camps sent any such letter/email to parents ahead of time to remind them all of your lice policy, what you do if someone comes to camp with it, what you use, etc. and if so, would you be willing to post a copy of your letter here? We had some girls come last year with lice, and I don't think we've put too fine a point on our policies in the past, so I'm thinking this might be a good way to be proactive on the matter this year. Thanks in advance!

[Romy87]

Hi Sue,

It's ​so funny that you posted this now because I just sent an email to my camp's director asking if I could whip up a letter to parents on this exact topic. It will be my first summer as a camp nurse and I'm concerned about sending poor disappointed kiddos home on the first day because of a previously undetected infestation. I'm planning on keeping it pretty short and including links to local health unit's websites and a good YouTube video demonstrating lice screening on a child's hair. Waiting to hear back if I can do this, then I'll let you know what I write!

--Romy

[tining, BSN, RN]

We absolutely send a letter to our parents, I think it is with our forms to be signed, so no excuse - if you signed - you agreed to policy & treatment. We have a lice and nit free policy, if we detect either at check-in we have them start treatment with the 'lice ladies' and the parent is charged - usually $500. They do have the choice to pick up and return, but most opt for the camper to stay at camp. We have (knock on wood) been lice free for 3 years since this policy began. I can't post the letter, but it does start out with we hate lice as much as you do... Again this is all in our form to be signed by the parents. We have the parents sign the document as some are offended that their cupcake could have possibly gotten that dirty bug. Can you believe a parent wanted to sue - I don't know what could be sued, they sent the child to camp with lice not us.