Medications, Vitamins, and Supplements at Camp

What is CampMeds needed for?

ALL ORAL medications, vitamins and supplements (anything taken by mouth) - both over the counter and prescription, daily and *as needed - must come from the CampMeds Pharmacy. This includes:

• Pills that are swallowed
• Chewable tablets
• Dissolvable tablets (ODT, orally dissolvable tablets, fast melt)
• Liquids
• Powders

Medication Exclusions: Isotretinoin (Accutane), Oral Contraceptives & Lactaid, Benadryl for Allergic Reactions

Camper Exclusions: International & Taste Campers

*This is a change from the past two summers. As needed items for allergies, sleep, anxiety, GI health, migraine relief that can be packaged must be packaged. If you think your child may need this item more than twice a week, it must be obtained from CampMeds.

If your child needs Advil or Tylenol for a headache occasionally or a TUMS every once in a while- we have that and will give these items to your child when needed. You do not need to order those through CampMeds.

Importance of the Online Health History

In order for us to administer any Medications (over the counter or prescribed), Supplements or Vitamins, the parent/guardian is responsible for including all items in the ONLINE Health History, in the medication section. This includes: epinephrine autoinjectors, inhalers, allergy shots, and monthly/weekly injections.

The Online Health History MUST be updated ANY TIME changes are made to any medications, vitamins and supplements. The online health history can be accessed and updated at any time, once it is available for the season.

If you have any indication that your child may need medications, vitamins or supplements at camp that must be obtained via CampMeds, avoid late fees by registering and submitting all necessary information in advance of deadlines. Registration and completion of the process is the responsibility of the guardian, as is completing the Medication Section of the online health history. We are available to answer questions and provide support before the summer season starts. We have limited time once we arrive at camp for Staff Week and begin caring for campers.

Medications at Camp

No bottles of vitamins or supplements are to be sent with campers while awaiting vitamins and supplements that were ordered late. These items will not be administered until they arrive from the CampMeds packaging pharmacy.

Oral medication sent on the bus or handed to us at drop-off will not be accepted or administered until they arrive from CampMeds and are added to the Medication Section of the Online Health History unless you have received written approval.

At the end of the session, all remaining doses/items will be sent home, unless otherwise directed.

Failure to utilize CampMeds 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.

Inhalers, topicals, eye drops, nasal sprays, and patches can all be obtained from CampMeds. This is encouraged to avoid administration delays so your child’s medications will be checked in, set up and waiting when your camper arrives.

Ramah Poconos does not permit campers or bunk staff to keep oral medications, vitamins or supplements in the bunks. This is strictly enforced, and any oral medications, vitamins or supplements found in bunks will be removed and given to the health center. Medication in the bunk causes the potential for serious safety hazards and may result in consequences outlined in the handbook.

Timing for Medication Administration at Camp

When you order over the counter items or the doctor sends prescriptions, TIMING matters so that pills are packaged correctly. Please talk to your child’s provider about this. For example:

If written “daily,” the item will be packaged for the morning.

At Bedtime (also written as HS) are ONLY for items that will be given as a camper is getting into bed, such as Melatonin or DDAVP.

Allergy medications and other items will be given after dinner, at the health center, and must be ordered and packaged for AFTER DINNER or PM. Younger campers (Notzitzim and Tze'erim) begin getting ready for bed 45–60 minutes after dinner and therefore can take most of their PM and bedtime meds after dinner.

To avoid re-packaging fees, please be sure that the orders/instructions clearly match when the item will be administered at camp. This includes meds that need to be given BEFORE BREAKFAST, after breakfast/AM, at lunch and 3-4pm. We cannot open packets and remove pills, but we can pull an additional packet with pill(s), if you need to add a new item. If you need guidance, please contact us at marp@ramahpoconos.org