4-H is an extra-curricular club that serves kids from ages 9-19 with mini-members being as young as 7 years old. Many people think of 4-H as a livestock and agricultural club, but it is evolving to be much more than that. There are projects in all the livestock species (sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, poultry, rabbit) as well as dog obedience/agility, dog sledding, aviation, robotics, public speaking, horse, cavies, sewing, business entrepreneurship, cooking, leadership, arts & crafts, gardening, mechanics, veterinarian skills, photography, and so much more. Offerings vary by your area and volunteers willing to lead the project. All adult leaders, including the camp nurse, are volunteers.
Every away-from-home camp should have a camp nurse on site. This position goes beyond basic medical care; it ensures that campers have both a safe and enjoyable experience. The camp nurse serves as a trusted health advisor, a comforting presence, and an adept problem-solver for the various challenges that can arise during camp activities. I was a camp nurse for almost a decade and also a conference nurse for California 4-H State Leadership Conference in addition to being an active adult project leader at one time or another in sheep, goats, dog obedience, arts & crafts, vegetable gardening, and leadership.
The core responsibility of a 4-H camp nurse is to safeguard the health and well-being of campers. Daily tasks include administering medication, providing first aid, and handling emergencies. Nurses must be knowledgeable about each camper's medical history, particularly concerning allergies or chronic conditions. For example, if a camper has a severe peanut allergy, the nurse must ensure that all meals are free from contamination. 4-H does not discriminate against kids with disabilities. I have had campers that had a clotting deficiency, labile diabetes, autism, severe allergies, anxiety disorder, ADHD, cerebral palsy, and many more conditions require nursing care not listed.
Injuries and conditions I have treated include anything from splinters, lacerations, puncture wounds, bleeding, anxiety, allergic reactions, homesickness, headaches/pain, sunburn, and GI upset. Parents provide a medical intake form listing any medications their child(ren) are on and are required to provide any medication that must be administered on a regular basis. Some medications are once a day, up to 4x per day. Prn medications may be provided by the parent or the parent can sign that it is OK for the camp nurse to give prn over-the-counter meds (i.e. diphenhydramine, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, itch cream, cough medicine, sunblock, TUMS). My nurse cabin had a defibrillator machine and an ambu-bag.
As the camp nurse, I was provided with private camp nurse lodging that had a private bathroom, my own room, and a separate sick bay area. I provided a stethoscope, a thermometer, and BP cuff. I also stocked toiletries because some campers forgot to bring them. I froze Capri-sun juice that could be used as ice packs and then drunk later on. This practice was hygienic because it was individual and I did not have to track down an ice pack later on.
The camp nurse plays a vital role in health and wellness education. I encouraged all campers to drink plenty of water because our camp was at a high elevation that some were not used to, and hydration helped the kids from feeling sick the first day. I encouraged sunscreen/sunblock on sunny days. I had some future nurses who wanted to help in my clinic and we talked about what nurses do and all kinds of other things. I gave out lots of free hugs and talked to parents and kids who missed each other. In general, I was responsible to 150 campers plus all of the adults. All campers must be independently mobile or have someone assigned to them if they needed assistance.
The camp nurse must be ready to address minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. They need to provide quick, effective care on-site to ensure camper safety. Nurses often manage multiple incidents at once, particularly during active games or sports, making their role both busy and crucial. Any injury or illness that is beyond a quick fix should be sent home or to a higher level of care as needed.
Keeping accurate health records is another important responsibility. I accepted medication on the first day of camp and made sure to return any unused portion on the last day. The camp nurse is responsible for the medications. I created a MAR (Medication Administration Record) to keep track of medications and an injury/treatment log.
To excel as a camp nurse, he/she should have a diverse skill set. A camp nurse may hold an RN or LPN license, a paramedic or EMT may be an assistant. Beyond educational qualifications, a camp nurse should have good communication skills, problem solving abilities, possess empathy, and have patience. Communication is important with campers' parents to alleviate anxiety or if their child has sustained an injury or illness.
The nurse cabin should have easy access to medical supplies and resources. I always carried a small backpack with First Aid supplies, scissors, tweezers, and Tylenol. Everything else was at the nurse cabin. The camp nurse interacts with campers during activities, meals, and free time. I posted a dry erase board on my door to show where I was if I was not in my cabin so that they could find me if they needed me.
Emergencies can pose significant challenges if camp is far from a medical facility. For example, if a camper experiences an allergic reaction, the nurse must act swiftly and effectively while keeping a calm demeanor and may need to administer a shot from an EpiPen or call for further medical assistance. Broken bones or cuts requiring stitches also need a higher level of care. A well-prepared nurse will be able to act quickly and efficiently.
Campers and parents feel secure when they know and trust their camp nurse. Camp provides exciting adventures, builds friendships, and creates lasting memories...and it was nice to be recognized by kids and parents at the fair when the kids are showing their animals. I watched many 4-H kids grow up from a young age, alongside my own children, to adulthood and being provided me with a sense of family and community.
The role of a 4-H camp nurse requires a blend of medical knowledge, communication skills, empathy, and quick thinking. If you are passionate about healthcare, enjoy working with children, and love the outdoors, volunteering to be a camp nurse could be the perfect match for you!
I volunteered as a camp nurse. My children did not receive any reduction in camp fees, but some camps do have funding to pay for a camp nurse and may provide subsidy or even waive children's camp fees.
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