Thanks for sharing these issues as we know the camp nurse often becomes the individual to address these challenges. We (ACN) want to do everything we can to help prepare camp healthcare providers and leaders about MESH. We teach classes at conference, provide webinars, have resources on the website, and hope to hear from members like yourself to adjust how we support you.
I just returned from camp myself and we had a great week. We did a great deal of preparatory work and education with parents prior to campers arriving onsite. They were well versed in not only our COVID procedures, but the arrangement and plans to manage MESH issues. No matter if it was anger, frustration, anxiety, or other behavioral variance, one of the best tools is to have a plan discussed with parent before the camper(s) arrive. We had a “runner” this year who only knew how to cope with his anger by running. By having a well-defined plan and knowing how to partner with this youth after talking to the guardian, we were able to have a really success week with him. He learned to use his words over his feet. It was a great experience.
I hope you are able to create a system of pre-planning and communication with parents before campers arrive. Preventative and preparatory work will save hours of effort in trying to intervene and rescue situations.
How can ACN assist? What might we do to help support/educate/prepare camp nurses for MESH challenges?
Best to you
Tracey Gaslin
