Camper Medication Policy
1. Parents, Campers and Staff are expected to comply with all medication policies approved by the Ramah Poconos Medical Director and Medical Committee.
2. Pills (prescription medications, over the counter medications, supplements or vitamins) MAY NOT be kept in any camper bunk with the exception of up to 5 doses of Lactaid or a single dose of migraine rescue medication, except as outlined in this policy.
3. Rescue inhalers, diabetic testing & care supplies, and injectable epinephrine for life threatening allergies are permitted in the bunk once the camper and the bunk staff have been properly instructed/trained on their use/demonstrating ability to use items safely.
4. Maintenance inhalers, eye drops, topical creams & nasal sprays are permitted to be kept in the bunk for campers in the following edot: Bogrim, Machon, Shoafim and Gesher. MARP staff are not responsible for items kept in bunks. Campers are responsible for packing these items for out-of-camp trips, if kept in their bunks.
5. All campers (except Taste & International) are required to have all ORAL medications, supplements, or vitamins (prescription & over the counter) pre-packaged by/obtained via the contracted pre-packaging pharmacy. This includes as needed items, such as allergy medications and melatonin.
6. Registration for pre-packaged meds with our pharmacy partner and completion of the process is the responsibility of the guardian.
7. Medications, supplements, or vitamins in GUMMY form CANNOT be administered at camp. They should NOT be sent to camp with campers and our pharmacy partner will not pre-package them or send the bottle to camp.
8. No bottles of vitamins or supplements are to be sent with campers while awaiting vitamins and supplements that were ordered late from the pre-packaging pharmacy.
9. Failure to utilize the pre-packaging pharmacy partner without written approval from a Camp Director will result in a fee of $200/session, unless the pharmacy is not contracted with the camper’s insurance and the out-of-pocket cost of the medication precludes the use of the pre-packaging pharmacy for that item.
10. The Health Center stocks many common over the counter medications including Tylenol, Advil, Tums, Benadryl, decongestants and Dramamine among others. Please do not send these medications to camp unless a camper needs a specific type or flavor. They do not need to be pre-packaged by our pharmacy partner unless the item will be used as needed/routinely throughout camp (more than twice/week).
11. Items that come from home or another pharmacy must be unexpired and arrive at camp in original packaging with a current prescription label with the camper's name (not a family member). If it is an over-the-counter item, the camper’s name must be clearly visible. The administration instructions must match the instructions on the online health history, and any discrepancies must be reconciled before the medication is administered.
12. At the end of the session, all remaining doses/items will be sent home, unless otherwise directed.
13. All medications, vitamins and supplements must be recorded on the Online Health History, in the Medication section. This includes items ordered via the prepackaging pharmacy and anything brought to camp, including epinephrine auto-injectors, and other rescue medications. Not recording items in the Medication Section may delay administration.
14. The parent or guardian completing the online health history is responsible for recording the items in the medication section and making any needed changes or updates.
15. Medications are administered at camp after meals. Medication administration before breakfast, at 3-4pm, after evening activities, at bedtime, or another time of day requires established medical need and/or there must be a current doctor’s order on file or on the prescription indicating specific need for timing. ONLY sleep aids and DDAVP will be given at bedtime. Even if allergy medications or other supplements are taken "at bedtime" at home, they will be administered after dinner or after evening activities, at the Health Center. Please do not indicate "Bedtime" unless medically, it must be taken as your child is climbing into bed.
16. Limited course oral antibiotics or antiviral medications do not need to be filled by the contracted pre-packaging pharmacy. All prescription labels must be current, include the camper’s name and we are only able to complete the current course. If further treatment is needed or follow up is required, the camp doctor or NP will evaluate the camper and consult with parents and the home prescribing physician.
17. With the exception of apple juice or pretzels, any other beverage or food required for a camper to take their medication must be authorized by the Director of the Health Center or Head Nurse and provided by the parent. Health Center Leadership reserves the right to determine what may or may not be sent to camp to be used for medication administration.
Updated 01/2025