Health and Wellness
Our Health Plan
Health and wellness at Camp Talooli begins before campers even arrive at camp. Each child is required to have a health form filled out and turned in at least two weeks before coming to camp for the first time. Both Day campers and Resident campers are required to complete the health history and shot records portion of the form. Forms can be completed online by logging into your child's registration account. 
Our medical staff is comprised of one or more RN's who reside at camp on a rotating basis. Upon arriving at camp, each camper is informed where the nurse can be located if s/he needs medical attention. The camp nurse is available to address any medical issues, to dispense medications, and to make sure our Health Plan is carried out on a daily basis.
Any medication your child may need to take while at camp must be give to the camp nurse or camp director in the original prescription bottle. A doctor's signature on our form must accompany any medicine brought to camp (including Tylenol), explaining the dosage. The medication can only be dispensed according to the doctor's written directions.
All overnight campers meet with the camp nurse and/or directors upon arrival to discuss the information on the child's health form, whether or not anything has changed since it was submitted, and the health of the child at the time of arrival.
We encourage open communication between parents and our directors so that we can serve your child the best way we know how and also so that we can work to accommodate any special circumstances or needs your child may have. Proper care and supervision of campers is our primary aim.
Parents will be notified by phone if their child has received an injury resulting in broken skin where a tetanus shot may be recommended. Parents will also be notified if their child is running a fever above 101 degrees or vomiting.
Safety at Camp
Camp Talooli is licensed by the Oswego County Health Department and accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). This accreditation means that Camp Talooli has volunteered to adhere to a minimum set of ACA guidelines pertaining to health and wellness, programming, human resources, strategic planning, transportation, and food service.
The ACA guidelines help us to maintain a nationally recognized standard and to provide the best camp program we can. Every three years, visitors from ACA visit us to observe and "grade" our camp program. Not only has Camp Talooli been accredited by the American Camp Association for over twenty years, but we have also received a perfect score for most of those years.
Camp Talooli was also recently awarded the Markel Insurance Safety 1st Designation.
Before campers arrive, our staff is on site for a week of training. During this week they are trained in different areas pertaining to the safety and well-being of campers. We take this opportunity to stress the importance of maintaining a high safety record at camp. Staff are trained in risk management, camper behavior, child development, programming, supervision of campers, and they become familiar with our Health Plan. Additionally we have many staff who have completed CPR and Red Cross training, EMT classes, and life guarding certifications.
Our staff training includes how to approach and greet anyone who comes onto camp property whom they do not recognize, and to connect them with the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director. While camp is in session our staff makes it a priority to assure that each camper is mentally, physically, and emotionally safe while at camp.
A Special Note Regarding Personal Information About Your Child
Some parents wonder why we ask for certain personal information about your child. After all, in some ways, it is none of our business! What is our business is your child's success at our camp. The more we know about your child before they come to camp, the better we can prepare our staff, and the better we can work together to make your child's transition to camp and time at camp as positive and rewarding as possible.
Some parents are reluctant to share certain information with us, because of a concern about confidentiality or stigmatizing their child. After all, many parents want camp to be a "fresh start." Other parents worry such information may bias us against htheir child. Some parents have told us ther child has sworn them to secrecy because they are too embarassed and don't want anyone to know about things like bed wetting, a tic disorder, ADHD, an IEP (individualized educational plan) or a history of trauma or abuse. We understand and respect that concern. Having said that, let us tell you why we think it is better for us to know as much as possible about your child.
Our Partnership and Our Promise
When you entrust your child to our care, we are sure you do it with one thing uppermost in your mind - that your son or daughter have the safest, happiest experience with us as possible. We have the same goal. We want you to think of us as your partner in your child's wellbeing. We can keep our end of the parentership only if we have the information to prepare our medical staff or leadership team and ensure your child is well cared for and free to have the nest time of their life!
Once you share information with us, our promise is to share it only with the people who will have direct contact with your child. This may be our medical staff, their counselor, and program directors, as appropriate. If you have special concerns about confidentiality, please let us know so we can sort them out together.
A Note About Stimulant and Other Medications
More and more children are on medication for ADHD, depression or other psychological conditions. These medications allow a child to take advantage of all that a school environment has to offer. Camp is no different in this regard, but many prescribing pysicians are not familiar with camp and may take a child off medication without knowing the full implications. If you child is on a psychotropic medcation and you are planning to or have made a change in that medication any time up to six weeks before camp, please discuss it or have your doctor discuss it with us first. With regard to psycho-stimulants, some children may actually need a higher doseage than usual at camp since stimulants are often metabolized more quickly in warm weather or in active children.
Please call us if you have any questions regarding our ability to support your child's physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing at camp. We are happy to talk through individual cases and make plans for your child's success at camp. The Talooli Integration Program (TIP) also helps to support campers with a wide range of special needs have safe and successful camp experiences - please visit the Integration Page for more information on the TIP program.
Resources
Links for Parents
IdentaMe Labels - Keep Track of your Child's Belongings!
