From Bug Bites to Bigger Needs
One of the most common questions parents carry is a practical one:
“If my child isn’t feeling well at camp, who notices, who helps, and how will I know?”
At Camp Alleghany, health and wellness are not an afterthought or a checklist item. They are woven into daily camp life. From scraped knees and summer colds to homesickness and emotional growing pains, our goal is to care for the whole child, thoughtfully and attentively, every day of the summer.
Who Cares for Campers’ Health?
At all times during our sessions, we have a dedicated Infirmary team on site and available 24/7, typically including two registered nurses and a camp doctor. They care for everything from minor injuries and daily medications to diagnosing and treating illnesses that may arise.
One important benefit of having a physician on site is that it often allows us to care for campers right here at camp, rather than sending them off site for evaluation. Our doctors are able to assess injuries and illnesses, determine next steps, and, when appropriate, prescribe treatment without disrupting a camper’s experience more than necessary. In many cases, this means fewer trips away from camp and a quicker return to normal routines.
We are also fortunate to work with a physician who is local to Lewisburg and remains available to us throughout the summer, even when she is not on site during a particular session. Her familiarity with our camp and our campers allows us to consult thoughtfully about situations that may warrant additional care or a specialist visit, and to make well-informed decisions in partnership with parents.
Our Infirmary team works closely with our counselors, staff, and directors. Health care at camp is never siloed. Communication flows intentionally so that no camper’s needs go unnoticed.
If a camper needs care beyond what we can provide on site, we are located just 15 minutes from Greenbrier Valley Medical Center and even closer to an urgent care facility. When off-site care is needed, a staff member transports and chaperones the camper, and parents are notified promptly.
Everyday Health and Wellness at Camp
The little things that matter every day.
Most health concerns at camp are exactly what you’d expect in an active summer environment. Bug bites, headaches, scraped knees, tummy aches, mild colds, and the occasional bout of fatigue and dehydration are all part of camp life.
Much of our work happens quietly and proactively, through routines, supervision, and early noticing that help prevent small concerns from becoming bigger ones.
Counselors are trained during Staff Training to notice early signs that a camper might not be feeling well. They learn what to look for, including changes in energy, appetite, hydration, hygiene, rashes, flushing, or fatigue. These topics are covered multiple times, and counselors also have opportunities to ask questions directly of our medical staff during training.
We empower counselors to handle truly minor issues using first aid kits and their training. If something is beyond what a counselor would reasonably handle at home while babysitting, or if a camper simply needs medical evaluation or reassurance, she is taken to the Infirmary for further assessment.
Daily routines support wellness too. Rest hour, regular meals and snacks, hydration reminders, showers, down time, optional Free Swim to cool off, sleep, and predictable structure all play a role in helping campers feel their best. Counselors and staff also pay close attention to hydration, meals, and energy levels throughout the day, especially during hot weather and high-activity periods.
Medications, Allergies, and Ongoing Health Needs
We take medication management and chronic health conditions very seriously.
All medications are securely stored in the Infirmary and dispensed only by our medical staff according to physician instructions. Counselors do not keep or administer medications to campers. Allergies, dietary needs, and chronic conditions are carefully reviewed through health forms before camp begins so we can plan thoughtfully and consistently.
Only essential daily medications are brought to camp, and systems are in place to ensure accuracy, documentation, and safety. Our medical team supplies routine over-the-counter medications as needed, reducing risk and confusion.
Confidentiality is always respected. Only staff members who need to know about a camper’s health needs are informed.
When a Camper Is Sick or Injured
When a camper is ill or injured, care is calm, individualized, and attentive.
Some campers rest briefly in the Infirmary and return to activities the same day. Others may need additional rest or monitoring. In more serious cases, we may involve off-site medical providers. Parents are notified in situations that warrant it, including extended infirmary stays, suspected concussions, prescriptions, or other concerns that need discussion.
The Infirmary is never a place where campers feel isolated. There are always multiple adults present, following our Rule of Three, and campers are supervised and cared for at all times. Our medical staff is warm, attentive, and thoughtful about both physical comfort and emotional reassurance.
Counselors remain connected while a camper is resting. They check in, visit when appropriate, and help campers feel supported and included as they recover.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Supporting growth with care and judgment.
Camp is full of joy, but it also includes moments of homesickness, anxiety, social challenges, and emotional fatigue. These experiences are a normal part of growth, and our staff is trained to support campers through them.
We know that every camper is different, and what feels like a small challenge for one child may feel big for another.
We are fortunate to include a Licensed Professional Counselor as part of our health care team, serving as our Wellness Counselor. She works closely with our medical staff and leadership team and supports both campers and counselors throughout the summer. She helps campers work through feelings, develop coping strategies, and regain confidence so they can fully participate in camp life.
While she is a licensed mental health professional, she does not provide formal therapy. Think of her role as similar to a school counselor: supportive, available, and focused on helping campers navigate emotions in a healthy way.
In some cases, campers continue working with their home therapist during the summer. When appropriate, we can coordinate scheduled Zoom sessions in a private space within the Infirmary, ensuring both privacy and supervision.
Homesickness and anxiety are handled thoughtfully and intentionally. If a camper has not begun adjusting after the first few days, I will call parents to gather insight and partner together. Often, hearing a supportive message from home through us helps a camper feel reassured and capable. In collaboration with our Wellness Counselor, we continue to monitor and support the camper carefully. Very rarely, we determine together that camp may not be the right fit at that moment, and we handle those situations with compassion and care.
Communication With Parents
Thoughtful, timely, and intentional.
We know that hearing from camp can feel worrying, no matter the reason. When we call, our goal is always to reassure you that your child is being well cared for and that we are handling the situation thoughtfully.
There are specific circumstances that will always prompt a call home, and beyond that, we use judgment. When deciding whether to call, we ask ourselves a few important questions:
- Will this call help the camper?
- Will it make the situation better or more stressful?
- And most importantly, would a parent be more upset to find out later than to hear from us now?
We believe communication should feel like partnership, not surprise. When concerns arise that parents need to know about, we communicate directly and transparently, always keeping your child’s best interests at the center.
A Final Reassurance
Health and wellness at Camp Alleghany are about much more than treating symptoms. They are about noticing early, responding thoughtfully, and caring for campers with warmth, professionalism, and respect.
Our goal is for every camper to feel safe, supported, and cared for so she can focus on what camp does best: building confidence, friendships, independence, and joy.
If this is your child’s first summer at camp, please know that we see the trust you are placing in us. We take it seriously, and we work every day to earn it.
