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What Does a Camp Nurse Do?

A camp nurse is responsible for promoting the health and safety of campers and staff in the unique environment of a camp. Camps can be summer activities, but many also offer year-round options. The age may range from preschoolers in day camps to seniors on a weekend retreat. Camps are often in pristine natural settings, but may also be housed on campuses and in urban settings. Activities may focus on the outdoors or on learning a new skill. The many types of camp activities and situations means that camp nurses are challenged to be flexible and creative in providing service to campers.

Typically camp nursing involves reviewing the health history forms that campers send in with their applications, planning for special needs of campers with health problems, and overseeing safe administration of medications. Camp nurses provide care for individuals with minor illnesses and injuries in the camp infirmary and assess which problems require the camper to be seen for more advanced care, for example, burn care. Nurses are crucial to keeping the community of the camp protected from infectious diseases by ensuring that immunizations are up to date, identifying illnesses that may be contagious, and promoting measures to reduce the spread of infection.

Education and Training Required to Become a Camp Nurse

Camp nurses are typical licensed RNs, but may in some situations be LPNs or, on the other hand, nurse practitioners. Although there are no specific camp nursing degree programs, it is helpful to have current CPR and first aid certification. Experience in community health is an asset.

Typical Characteristics of a Camp Nurse

A camp nurse may be the only health professional on site in some situations, so needs to be autonomous, able to provide leadership, able to work effectively with both campers and staff, and enthusiastic about the setting and mission of the camp community.

High Demand for Camp Nurses

Nursing is among the fastest-growing occupations in health care, and camp nursing is no exception. According to the Association of Camp Nurses, over five million children attended camp last summer and many did not have access to a nurse. The Association states that camps need nurses. The ever changing landscape of camps with a trend toward year-round programs makes it likely that demand for camp nurses continue.

Camp nurses typically make less than RNs employed in clinical settings, according to the Association of Camp Nurses, but may receive other benefits such as housing and meals.