HEALTH AND SAFETY AT CAMP

To support the health of our camp communities, we ask that all campers arrive at camp feeling well. If your child is sick in the days leading up to camp, including if someone in the household is ill, please contact admissions so we can determine about the best plan for arrival. In some situations, we may ask your child to stay home a little longer to rest and recover until they are feeling better, their symptoms are improving, and they have been free of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for at least 24 hours without medication.

If a camper has symptoms of a respiratory virus—such as a sore throat, headache, cough, congestion, fever, sneezing, or a runny nose—we ask that they take a rapid COVID test before traveling to camp. Notify Admissions in the case of a positive COVID test result so we can determine next steps together.

On Opening Day, our staff will conduct an intake health check, which includes asking you and your child about any new injuries or illnesses, rashes or symptoms of a respiratory illness, and recent travel. If a camper reports symptoms of respiratory illness, we will administer a rapid COVID test on arrival. If the test is positive, the camper will need to return home and come back once they are feeling better and meet our return guidelines.

At this time, we are not planning to test all campers for COVID throughout the summer, and we will not be doing opening-day testing for campers who do not have symptoms. Any testing for respiratory illness during the summer will be guided by our onsite camp medical protocols and guidance from clinic providers should your child need to be seen at the local clinic.

Please check your child for head lice in the 48 hours prior to arriving at camp. We will also conduct a follow up lice test onsite during the first few days of camp.

Head lice are easily transmitted and their presence can go unnoticed; a visual inspection is required.  If you discover and treat your child for head lice ahead of your arrival to camp, inform Admissions via call or email and check in with your camp nurse at drop-off in order to ensure follow up during their time at camp.  You can also learn more about doing a lice check at home at: How to Check for Lice Video Tutorial, WebMd Lice Overview, CDC Head Lice Flyer

 

Farm & Wilderness can only administer prescription drugs in accordance with direction from licensed medical personnel. Farm & Wilderness must have a doctor’s written direction on the original labeled bottle of medicine. Over the counter (OTC) medication must be in the medication's original packaging. Some medications may require approval from the prescribing doctor to ensure the camper can safely participate in camp. It is not recommended to disrupt a camper’s medication schedule during the time they are at camp.

We are proud of the delicious, nutritious meals and snacks that we serve. Whenever possible, our campers participate in various aspects of meal production by working in gardens, collecting eggs, learning to cook, cleaning up and other activities. We provide healthy, high quality food and regularly accommodate a variety of dietary needs such as omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free diets. We are also able to provide for campers with allergies to such things as peanuts, eggs, etc, and are not a nut-free facility. Every camper has access to healthy food choices that are safe for them to eat, though dietary restrictions may reduce the number of options available to them at each meal, or during trips, cookouts and other special events, especially in the case of multiple allergies/dietary restrictions. We do our best to accommodate a wide range of eating habits but cannot guarantee that all preferences/pickiness can be accommodated. We ask questions about your camper’s diet during the registration process, so our staff can be informed and prepared to nourish our camp communities!

Campers at Farm & Wilderness must be able to move daily on foot over uneven and natural terrain. They must be able to sleep outside in rustic wooden or canvas structures with other campers and staff. They must be able to lift and carry a backpack for hiking and trips. They must participate actively and willingly in their own self care: eat provided meals, hydrate regularly, take prescribed medications, and maintain regular hygeine. All campers must follow directions and participate willingly in camp activities, daily chores, and community living activities. Campers must refrain from violence, verbal assault, bullying or any similar behavior. See more information in our handbooks for further information about physical and behavioral expectations for your camper.

Your child’s physical exam form and immunization records from their primary physician is a necessary part of the application to camp. Please ensure that you upload a copy of the information outlined in the Physical Exam Form, completed by your camper's physician, on our registration portal prior to arriving at camp. You may use our form to submit information or substitute a form your physician provides to you, provided that form covers the same information. This form must be submitted anew every year, and all campers must have had a physical exam within one year of the start of their camp session.

Immunization records, once dates have been input into their CampDoc Health Profile, will remain in their profile from year to year to review and confirm, when you may also enter any boosters they have since received.

We require all campers are up to date with the current schedule of regular childhood vaccines as per school/childcare guidelines set forth by the VT Department of Health. Please reach out to admissions directly if you require more information about the processes for medical or religious exemptions or amended/alternative/catch-up immunization schedules, all of which are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.