Skip to content

Camp Wellness

Staying Healthy At Camp

Many campers never need medical care while at camp.  By far the most common medical complaints are minor ailments such as headaches, fatigue and stomach aches. But should a camper need medical attention while at camp, here is what you can expect.

Medical Treatment
Insurance
Medications

Medical Treatment at Camp

The FSU Summer Music Camps does not have a nurse on staff, and employees of the Summer Music Camps are not responsible for making health decisions on behalf of the campers.

Any required medical care will be given by a health professional at one of the following facilities:  Campers age 13 and over who experience health problems while at camp will be treated at the FSU Wellness Center (9am-4pm) or at Patients First, a group of local urgent care facilities. All campers age 12 and under will be treated at Patients First. The Tallahassee Memorial Hospital or Capital Regional Medical Center will be utilized for all emergency situations.

If a camper does not necessarily need medical treatment, but they are not feeling well, the policy listed below applies:

When a Camper Feels Unwell
PARENTS MUST BE PREPARED TO COME TO TALLAHASSEE TO COLLECT THEIR CAMPER IF ILLNESS OCCURS. 
IF A CAMPER MUST BE SENT HOME DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS, THERE ARE NO REFUNDS.

We know that no one wants to go home early from camp, but it is VITAL that campers report any illness. One unwell camper can infect instructors, counselors, and fellow campers, impacting all of our camp weeks.  Please read the Camper Conduct Contract and make sure you understand that by attending camp, you have agreed to report any illness immediately.

In order to protect all of our campers and staff, the following will be our protocol for managing any illness that presents at camp:

Overnight Campers

  • If an individual has a fever (100.2 and above), they will be moved to sick bay. The camper’s parents/guardians will be contacted, and they must take the camper home immediately. We can keep the camper until the parent/guardian is able to travel to Tallahassee to take the camper home, however, parents must be prepared to collect the camper within 24 hours. 
  • If an individual feels unwell (headaches, stomach aches, sore throat) but does not have a fever they will be moved to sick bay. The camper’s parents/guardians will be contacted. Parents can choose to come get the camper, or the camper may remain in sick bay and monitored for up to 24-hours. If during the 24-hours symptoms do not improve, symptoms worsen, or if the camper develops a fever, then the camper must go home immediately. If after 24-hours the camper feels better with rest, symptoms are completely gone, and there is no fever, the camper will be allowed to return to normal camp activities.

Day Campers

  • If an individual has a fever (100.2 and above), the camper’s parents/guardians will be contacted, and they must take the camper home immediately. We can keep the camper isolated until the parent/guardian is able to arrive to take the camper home, however, parents must be prepared to collect the camper by 5pm that afternoon. 
  • If an individual feels unwell (headaches, stomach aches, sore throat) but does not have a fever the camper’s parents/guardians will be contacted. Parents should pick up the student and monitor for 24-hours. A COVID-19 test is suggested.  If during the 24-hours symptoms do not improve, symptoms worsen, or if the camper develops a fever, or if the COVID test comes back positive, then the camper may not return to camp. If after 24-hours the camper feels better with rest, symptoms are completely gone, there is no fever, and the camper has tested negative for COVID, the camper will be allowed to return to normal camp activities.
Ongoing Medical Concerns

Our camp can accommodate students that have medical conditions, even those that may restrict participation in activities, and we are happy to work with your family to make your camper’s experience as carefree as possible. Give us a call in the office to discuss how we will be able to assist your camper. If your son or daughter has an ongoing medical condition, has a history of other ailments, or was recently hospitalized for any reason, please alert us on the Medical Information Form or contact us directly in the office to talk through arrangements. Before you come to camp, be sure that your child knows to alert an adult immediately if they are experiencing any signs of symptoms.

One of the required camp forms is a Medical Information Form. This form is used to alert us of any ongoing medical issues or conditions. Once you are registered for camp you will be required to fill out this form and to include as much information as possible. No vaccine history or physical examination by a doctor is required.

Insurance

FSU requires that all students provide proof of medical insurance (or Military ID) in order to participate in the camp. If your family does not have medical insurance you will be asked to indicate this on the Statement of Voluntary Consent Form and agree that all medical costs which may be incurred at camp will be the family’s responsibility. Please contact us at 850-644-9934 if you have any questions.

Medications at Camp

ALL CAMPERS SHOULD BRING A SUPPLY OF COMMON MEDICATIONS IN CASE THEY DO NOT FEEL WELL DURING CAMP.
EXAMPLES: TYLENOL, ADVIL, MOTRIN, TUMS, COLD MEDICATION. 
The FSU Summer Music Camps does NOT have a supply of medication to give to your child if they are feeling unwell, so it is essential that you pack some.

You will indicated how you want medications to be handled at camp using the required Medications Form.

If You Want Camp Staff To Administration Medications

If a camper will be bringing medication that you want to be administered by camp staff (prescription or over-the-counter), you will turn it over to the counselors at camp check-in.  Medications will be held in the camp office, and the camper will come to the camp office at the appropriate time to take the medication.

Medications shall be dispensed according to written directions on the label.   A log is kept in the camper’s record of each dose.  Though the camp staff is not responsible for ensuring that campers take their daily or routine medications, campers that do not come to take their medications may be pulled from class so that they can take them. The Summer Music Camps also reserves the right to have medication administered by the Health & Wellness Center if necessary or to contact parents if the camper is not taking the medication as directed.

Please note that the camp does not have a supply of common medications to give to campers.   Any as-needed medications that you do not supply can only be accessed by the camper by going for treatment at the FSU Health & Wellness Center, Patients First, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital or other care facility and then supplied by medical personnel in collaboration with you.

It is the parent’s responsibility to:

    • Provide medications in their original container.  Prescription medications must have a label stating the name of the physician, child’s name, name of the medication and the medication directions.  Non-prescription medications must be in their original packaging.

    • Provide exact dosing information on a sheet to be signed by a parent (required) or the physician (preferred).

    • Provide updates and/or changes to medication usage and/or dosage.

    • Provide ample medication at the start of camp.

    • Ensure that the medications are actually given to the counselor on the first day of camp.

We suggest that parents pack medications in a large, Ziplock bag marked with the camper’s name on the outside and place a copy of the sheet of dosing instructions inside the bag.

If You Want Your Camper To Administer Their Own Medications

If you prefer that your camper be able to administer his/her own medications (either prescription or over-the-counter) you can sign the Medication Permission Statement that is part of the Medication Form. This statement requests that the camper be permitted to keep his/her medications on their person or in their room. You will also acknowledge that your child will be solely responsible for these medications and for taking them as directed and that it is not permissible for your child to provide medications to another camper(s) and that doing so may result in dismissal from camp.

Please note that the camp does not have a supply of common medications to give to campers.   Any medications beyond what you send with the camper may only be accessed by going for treatment at the FSU Health & Wellness Center, Patients First, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital or other care facility and then supplied by medical personnel in collaboration with you.