Comments on: Summer Camp Allergy Policy is All Wrong

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:38:18 +0000

I think you need to investigate a step further. Is it the camps making the policy because that’s “what they are comfortable with,” or will their insurance not cover them to administer medications. This may be the case in many municipal day camps, but I do not know for sure (I would like to know). I can’t speak to resident camps with medical personnel on staff. So, if it is an insurance issue, then what?

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:18:05 +0000

As a thought experiment, encourage the camp director to think through a similar policy for defibrillator use. Life saving treatment on hand, but only if you can help yourself? That is crazy and inhumane! Especially given the minimal downside to giving epi unnecessarily.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:06:42 +0000

I am 21 and I have life threatening food allergies to dairy, nuts, and all legumes. When I went to summer camp as a kid the staff was just as clueless – the camp nurses said they wouldn’t administer an epi pen if I needed one because both the epi pens my mom had sent with us had my brother’s name on them (he also has several life threatening food allergies). Luckily that was easily solved by sending one with my name on it too. But it just shows that people really don’t understand the severity of allergic reactions. I have had 6 anaphylactic reactions in my life, and someone else had to administer the epi pen every time. When your hands and eyes are swollen, you’re about to pass out, and your nerves are insane, it’s pretty much impossible to give yourself an epi pen, let alone hold one firmly with your hand. I think this is a great article and it’s raising awareness about an important (and strangely contentious) issue.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:55:02 +0000

My daughter (with peanut allergy) wanted to go to Girl Scout Day Camp two summers ago, when she was 6. I enrolled her and turned in all the forms for her Benadryl and EpiPen. I had one HECK of a time getting them to understand that the Bendaryl and EpiPen needed to stay WITH my daughter at all times (and not be kept in the camp office 1/2 mile away). And then I had to fight the “self administration” thing.

Thankfully, just a week earlier, I received your magazine with an article on Katie Compton having an anaphylactic reaction. I forwarded this photo to the camp director, stressing that when this reaction happens, SOMEONE ELSE has to step in and administer the EpiPen. Besides, what 6-year-old would willingly stick a needle into themselves?

http://singletrack.competitor.com/files/2011/04/2011-SOC-KC-Bee-23-634×421.jpg

In the end, my daughter went and enjoyed camp, but needless to say we didn’t go back. I didn’t feel that she was completely safe, or that my concerns were taken seriously. I just hope that my fight helped them to better understand the severity of allergies and the proper way to handle them.