How Medications Work at Camp WeHaKee

Managing medications at Camp WeHaKee is a team effort led by our on-site health center, the Band Aid. To keep everyone safe, all medications, whether they're prescription or over-the-counter, are managed by our medical staff and dispensed by the camp's designated professional. Campers don't self-administer their own meds at camp. Instead, everything is turned in on arrival day and stored securely in the Health Center for the whole session.

How should I pack prescription medications?

When you're getting ready, please make sure all prescription medications stay in their original pharmacy containers. The label needs to have your daughter’s name and the correct dosing instructions clearly visible. It’s important not to move them into weekly pill organizers or plastic bags because our nurses can only dispense meds that are in their original, labeled packaging.

Be sure to bring enough to last the entire session. It isn't always easy for the camp or a local pharmacy to refill a prescription in the middle of the summer. If your daughter has a medication that needs to stay cold, just note that on her Health History form so the Band Aid can get it right into the refrigerator. Also, please remember that we can't dispense medications that aren't specifically prescribed to your daughter.

What about over-the-counter medications?

You don't need to pack a full medicine cabinet! Unless your daughter takes an over-the-counter (OTC) medication on a daily, scheduled basis, you can leave those at home. The Band Aid stays well-stocked with common OTC meds and administers them as needed following our physician-directed guidelines.

If you do decide to send an OTC item, it has to be in its original container, unexpired, and listed on the Camper Health History form. Just like prescriptions, these will be kept in the Band Aid rather than in the cabin. Vitamins and other supplements are considered OTCs and are not kept in-stock at the health center. Pack these supplements just like prescription mediciations.

We generally keep items like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, and cough drops on hand. If your daughter relies on something specific every day that's a bit unusual, just let us know and we might ask you to send a supply from home.

What about vitamins and supplements?

Vitamins and natural remedies follow all the same rules. They need to be in the original container, listed on the Health History form, and turned in on arrival day. If she takes a daily vitamin, go ahead and pack it, as the camp doesn't provide these. Our nurse will make sure she gets them at the right time.

What happens to medications at the end of camp?

On closing day, we'll return any remaining medications to you. If anything is left behind at pickup, we’ll hold onto it for a short time before disposing of it properly. To make things easy, listing everything clearly on the Health History form helps our nurse track her meds from the moment she arrives until she heads home.

What if my daughter has an allergy?

We want to be fully prepared, so please document any environmental or food allergies on the Camper Health History form. Our nurse reviews every single form before the session even begins to flag anything that needs special attention. If your daughter carries an EpiPen or other emergency allergy medication, please make sure it's labeled, in its original packaging, and noted prominently on her form so we're ready to help.

What about rescue meds like inhalers or epipens?

These are the exceptions to guidelines listed above. Inhalers and epipens, or any other rescue medication that a camper would need on-hand immediately need to be turned in to the nurse to be logged, but can then be returned to either the camper or her counselor for safe-keeping and immediate access.

Be sure to include rescue meds in the Health History form so we can anticipate your camper's needs.