Whether it’s day or sleepaway camp, kids will soon be experiencing another year of outdoor fun and friendship. While camp staffers are trained to keep your kids safe, you should also remind them about your family’s safety rules ahead of time with these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology, EPA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
PROTECT THEM FROM THE SUN
Teach kids to wear sunscreen every day, rain or shine. Look for SPF-30 and products that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. And don’t forget lip balms with SPF-30, hats with wide brims, and sunglasses with UV protection, too. Sun-protective clothing, such as long-sleeved swim shirts, are another option.
DON’T LET THE BUGS BITE
Make sure kids are protected with EPA-approved insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or plant-derived ingredients such as oil of lemon eucalyptus or 2-undecanone, and use permethrin to pre-treat clothing, shoes and gear to keep ticks away. Although cases of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme were down slightly overall in 2024, cases of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue increased in New Jersey, so kids should wear repellent for all outdoor activities.
REMIND THEM TO GEAR UP
Make sure your child knows that it’s a family rule to wear protective gear. Whether kids are going to ride bikes or horses, helmets are nonnegotiable. Ditto for life jackets when boating.
MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THEIR ALLERGIES
Most camps require medical forms be filled out ahead of time, but if your child has allergies, such as to peanuts or insect stings, discuss these (and any other special health issues) ahead of time with the camp nurse and all their counselors. It’s also a good idea to send two EpiPens because one often isn’t enough.
SEND THE RIGHT THINGS Make sure your child wears closed-toe athletic shoes—and break them in before they head to camp so they won’t get blisters the first day out. Flip flops usually are not permitted, except poolside. Also, buy a bottle that keeps water cool in the heat and is big enough and labeled with their name so they stay hydrated.
—Arricca Elin SanSone is a New York-based health and lifestyle writer.
