Medications

If you are sending your camper to camp with medications (either OTC or prescription), the medications are required to be turned in at registration. There, you will meet with the Healthcare Supervisor to discuss medication dosage/timing, and any other concerns you might have.

General Healthcare Procedures

Gravatt can provide OTC pain medication and first-aid treatments to handle minor health issues that can occur at camp. Our Healthcare Supervisors serve for one session at a time, and are career healthcare professionals who stay in the Byrd Health Lodge throughout the session to administer medications, provide first-aid to campers and staff, and address any medical emergencies. Additionally, many of our staff members are also certified in First-Aid/CPR, trained in AED usage, or have additional safety certifications. Also, please know that if your child becomes ill, needs to stay overnight in the Byrd Health Lodge, is seriously injured, or needs emergency medical care, a parent will always be contacted.

Camper Personal Health

At Gravatt, we accept campers as young as rising 1st Grade, however, we recognize that every child is different in terms of their development, temperament, and experience. At a minimum, your child should be able to shower and wash by themselves, use the restroom and properly clean themselves on their own, and be able to serve themselves at mealtimes. Also, to give your child experience with being away from home, we suggest having them spend a few nights at a relative or friend’s house prior to sending your child to Gravatt for an entire week.  This will help your child develop confidence in being away from you and their familiar surroundings before they come to camp.

Our staff is trained to compassionately and discreetly handle campers who may wet their beds/clothing or have an occasional accident. While this can sometimes happen at camp, we are not equipped to handle campers who regularly experience these issues. If your camper has trouble with bathroom-related issues, you will want to consider whether or not their child is ready to attend camp. Please contact our Camp Director if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s individual situation.

Dietary Restrictions/Accommodations

In Campwise and during registration, you will be asked to list any and all allergies–this includes environmental, food, and medication allergies. You will also be asked to provide information on any dietary restrictions. This will allow our health staff, along with our kitchen staff, to be able to prepare a healthy week for your camper. In general, we are able to accommodate most common food allergies and dietary restrictions. Should you have any questions, or should your child have a unique need, please contact the camp director to discuss your camper’s specific needs.

Safeguarding

Our staff is trained and certified to prevent, identify, and report abuse of any kind. Staff are also trained to ensure safe, appropriate, and caring interactions with campers at all times. Our programs and procedures are designed to minimize or eliminate the risk of inappropriate behavior or abuse, and Camp Gravatt has a zero tolerance policy for any type of abuse. In addition, Camp Gravatt also maintains robust procedures for identifying and reporting any suspected abuse involving campers or staff, and our Community Covenant specifies the kinds of behavior we expect as well as behaviors we do not tolerate.

Safety Procedures

Your camper’s health and safety is our number one priority while they are with us, and we take this responsibility very seriously. Your camper will participate in waterfront safety drills, safety checks on the ropes course, and be instructed on general outdoor safety during their time at camp. Gravatt also maintains robust protocols for fire, intruders, and full-camp evacuation. Our goal is to always be prepared, and if your camper’s health or safety is ever in question, a parent will always be contacted.

Inclement Weather

Occasionally, we experience inclement weather at Camp Gravatt. We actively monitor the weather, have access to alerts, watches, and warnings from multiple sources, and our staff is trained in the implementation of our protocols in the event of inclement weather. If necessary, campers are moved to a larger structure, such as Collett Dining Hall, until the weather passes. We ask that parents refrain from contacting camp if they are concerned about the weather. If there are any serious emergencies, you will always be contacted.

Accident Insurance

Camp Gravatt carries secondary accident insurance to help with costs of medical treatment for uninsured campers or if the family’s primary insurance does not cover accidents that may occur to campers during their stay at Camp Gravatt. Please note that the camp’s policy does not cover illness. Any fees incurred by Camp Gravatt for medical treatment are the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

HEALTH AND SAFETY FAQ’S

What if my camper gets injured or becomes ill at camp?

Your camper’s health and safety are our number one priorities while they are at Camp Gravatt. And while we always strive to have a safe and healthy environment at Camp Gravatt, sometimes campers get sick or injured while they are with us. This is a normal part of summer camp, and our staff is trained to handle a variety of medical and/or emergency situations. We have a Healthcare Supervisor at camp 24 hours a day during the camp session, and the Byrd Health Lodge is always open if a camper does not feel well. In addition, each counselor has quick access to general first-aid supplies, and our staff is trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED usage.

We will always err on the side of caution when handling sick or injured campers, and we can handle most bumps and bruises quickly and compassionately. Should a more serious medical situation arise, please know that we will always contact parents if we think that your child needs to be seen by a doctor or if your child needs to stay in the Byrd Health Lodge overnight.

Campers with fevers are not allowed to stay at Camp Gravatt, but they may return once they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication.

What if my camper needs to take medication while at camp?

During registration, you will have the opportunity to give your child’s medications to the healthcare supervisor. All medications at camp are required to be administered in the Byrd Health Lodge by the healthcare supervisor. Please include enough medication for the entirety of your camper’s stay. All medication must be in the original container and the container must have your child’s name on it. The Byrd Health Lodge has all necessary over the counter medications; however, if there is an OTC medication your child takes regularly, please provide it to be kept in the infirmary along with instructions for the healthcare supervisor.

What if my camper has an allergy?

If your child has an allergy, please include this information in the Food Allergies / Dietary Restrictions form in Campwise so we can make necessary arrangements. We are happy and able to accommodate most food allergies and restrictions, and our kitchen staff is trained in the proper preparation of a variety of foods. Additionally, our staff is trained in preventing and responding to environmental allergies as well.

If your camper has any life-threatening dietary issues or allergies, please contact our Camp Director, Fletcher Spigner at fletch@campgravatt.org before camp to discuss how we can best accommodate your child. For severely restricted diets, we sometimes recommend that you provide our kitchen staff with supplemental food. In the event that we cannot accommodate your camper’s allergy or dietary restriction, a full refund will be issued directly to you.