It’s not all fun and games. We take health situations and preparedness seriously. Our counselors and staff are all certified in First Aid and CPR, of course, and we have a medical available at all times. Should you need to reach us in a home emergency situation, please use the number below.
| DuBois Center/Program | 618.787.2202 |
We check voicemails in the office on a regular basis, so if we are out, please leave a message.
Please do not ask your child to call home. Such calls often promote homesickness. In the case of an emergency or significant issue, we will contact you. If you have concerns, please contact DuBois Center.
Medical Care
We strive to provide a healthy environment and prevent the spread of contagious diseases. If, within the 24 hours prior to camp, the camper has an undiagnosed rash or open sores, a temperature at or above 101°, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a persistent cough or cold, he/she must remain at home until healthy. An elevated temperature must be back to normal for 24 hours before a child comes or returns to camp. Transferring to another session may be a possibility.
A trained health care provider is in residence at camp and arrangements for emergency care have been made with local facilities and transportation units. The camper’s personal insurance provides primary coverage. The medical payment insurance provided by the camp is an Excess (or secondary) Plan, which means any claims must first be filed through the camper’s primary insurance.
Tick- and Mosquito-borne illness
Ticks are common in Illinois and some may carry Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. If your camper has unexplained symptoms such as a rash, sore throat, nausea, or head or muscle aches in the weeks or months after camp, please see your doctor and be sure to mention the time at camp. If treated early, serious issues can be avoided.
We ask campers not to remove their own ticks unless they can “flick” them away. Our trained staff members remove the tick carefully, the area is disinfected, and the bite is logged. We keep all logged ticks in our Health Center for 12+ months, just in case they are needed for testing.
Current data on mosquito-borne West Nile virus indicates that healthy children and youth are at lower risk, and, if infected, show minor or no symptoms. If the mosquito-borne infection concerns you, send your child with non-aerosol insect repellent, and talk about its use beforehand, as well as when it might be appropriate to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. If you think the camper might be at higher risk, please indicate this on the Health Profile.
While hot weather can make it tough, some of the surest prevention of tick, chigger, and mosquito bites can be a crew-length sock in combination with loose, breathable pants. Ticks are easier to spot on light-colored clothing with solid colors or simple patterns. Bringing bug spray is recommended, but please send pump spray or lotions and not aerosols.
Other risks at camp
We have lots of rules at camp – and most of them are written with your camper’s safety in mind. We do not allow running on uneven terrain or asphalt- because we know a running stumble on our evenly mowed playing fields is less likely to cause injury. We do not allow campers to wander off of our camp paths into the woods so that exposure to startled wildlife, poison ivy, and other hazards is minimized. We ask that campers follow instructions closely during boating, and equestrian activities because our instructors know that their plan is safe – so long as it is followed.
Even with good conduct, campers here sometimes encounter injury, illness, and troubling feelings. All of our staff members participate in a chain of care. Our counselors and coordinators pass concerns to our healthcare staff, and our healthcare staff works with parents at home and area healthcare providers, up to and including emergency services.
We are prepared to identify and treat allergies, anaphylaxis, traumatic injury, burns, blisters, panic, tummy trouble, headaches, splinters, and more here at camp. We work jointly with local healthcare to ensure a high quality of camp healthcare. We welcome all manner of chronic illnesses and those recovering from injuries – advance notice is appreciated for the best support of your camper.
Above all – we prevent injury and illness. Please help us protect all campers by arriving healthy and encouraging your camper to follow the dress code, packing list, and conduct rules.
Our health center staff will be available during check-out to answer any questions. Please know that in the case of unexpected symptoms, involvement of outside healthcare services, or other emergencies, you will be contacted. If you have questions or concerns, please call DuBois Center at 618.787.2202.
