Camp Medication Policy–

As our camp continues to grow, we are always looking for ways to better care for our students– especially when it comes to health and safety. This year, we are making an important update to how medications are handled at camp.

Due to the significant growth in the number of students attending camp in recent years, and in order to stay compliant with state laws and guidelines for camps of our size, we are adjusting our medication procedures to better serve everyone.

What’s Changing?
We are requiring that all prescription medications be provided in pharmacy-prepared blister packs.

Blister packs are pre-sorted by a pharmacist and organize medications by day and time. This allows our medical team to quickly and safely distribute medications without confusion or delays.

Why This Matters

  • Increases safety and accuracy by reducing the risk of missed or incorrect doses
  • Speeds up medication times, so students spend less time waiting and more time enjoying camp
  • Helps us remain compliant with state regulations for camps of our size
  • Supports our medical staff as they care for a growing number of campers with increasingly complex medication needs

How to Prepare

  • Contact your pharmacy and request that your child’s medications be packaged in a blister pack organized by date and time
  • Many pharmacies offer this service if requested in advance
  • Over-the-counter medications (such as allergy medications, pain relievers, or vitamins) must be sent in their original packaging with your student’s name clearly labeled on the container
  • If your child takes multiple daily over-the-counter medications, you may ask your pharmacy if they can include them in the blister pack

Inhalers

  • Inhalers (if needed) should be brought with the student, and a final decision on who will handle them will be determined at check-in, in coordination with the student’s leader. Based on the student’s age and level of responsibility, a decision is made as to whether the inhaler will remain with the student (typically for older campers) or be carried by the leader. Leaders are often in closest proximity to the student throughout camp activities, so having the inhaler readily accessible to them helps prevent any delay in responding to a need. This approach is consistent with procedures followed in previous years.

Diabetes Care

Students with diabetes often use insulin pens, insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and other diabetes supplies that cannot be packaged in pharmacy-prepared blister packs. These items are exempt from the blister pack requirement.

Families of students with diabetes should contact the Camp Director before camp to discuss the student’s diabetes care plan, including insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, emergency supplies (such as glucagon), and whether the student will self-manage or require assistance while at camp.

Emergency treatment for low blood sugar must remain immediately accessible at all times.

If a Blister Pack Isn’t Available
If you are unable to get medications blister packed, please contact us directly as soon as possible. We will work with you on an appropriate, approved alternative.

Important Policy

  • We are no longer able to accept medications in ziplock bags, loose form, or pre-filled organizers from home under any circumstances
  • Students who arrive without medications properly packaged in a pharmacy-prepared blister pack (or an approved alternative arranged in advance) will not be able to remain at camp, as we must prioritize the safety of all campers

We understand this is a significant change, but it is a necessary step to ensure a safe, efficient, and enjoyable environment for every student. Thank you for partnering with us to care well for your child!

If you have any questions or need help navigating this process, please contact the Camp Director, Skyler Sanford: skyler@openbiblecentral.org

Medication FAQ

  1. What is a blister pack?
    A blister pack is a pharmacy-prepared package that organizes medications by day and time. It looks similar to a pill organizer, but it is sealed and labeled by a pharmacist to ensure accuracy and safety.
  1. Why is this required now?
    With the growth of our camp and the increasing number of students taking medications, this change helps us:
  • Reduce the risk of medication errors
  • Administer medications more efficiently
  • Stay compliant with state laws and guidelines for camps our size
  • Better support our medical staff during busy medication times
  1. Where can I get a blister pack?
    You can request blister packaging from:
  • Your regular pharmacy (especially local or independent pharmacies)
  • Chain pharmacies (availability may vary by location)

When calling, you can say:
“My child is attending camp and needs their medications packaged in a blister pack organized by date and time.”

  1. What if my pharmacy says they don’t offer blister packs?
    If you are unable to find any pharmacies that provide this service, please contact us before camp. We will work with you on an approved alternative.
  1. Can I organize the medications myself at home?
    For safety reasons, medications must be prepared by a pharmacy unless you have received prior approval from us. This helps prevent dosing errors and ensures proper documentation.
  1. Can I send medications in a ziplock bag or pill organizer like in previous years?
    No. We are no longer able to accept medications in ziplock bags, loose form, or pre-filled organizers from home under any circumstances. These methods create safety risks and do not meet current requirements.
  1. What happens if my student shows up without medications properly packaged?
    Students who arrive without medications in a pharmacy-prepared blister pack (or an approved alternative arranged in advance) will not be able to remain at camp. This policy is in place to ensure the safety of all campers and to comply with regulations.
  1. What about over-the-counter medications (like allergy meds or vitamins)?
    These should be sent in their original packaging, clearly labeled with your student’s name. If your child takes multiple daily OTC medications, you can ask your pharmacy if they can include them in a blister pack.
  1. When should I request blister packs?
    We recommend contacting your pharmacy at least 2–3 weeks before camp to allow enough time for preparation.

  2. What if my child has diabetes?

    Insulin, insulin pumps, CGMs, and other diabetes supplies are not subject to the blister pack requirement. Please contact us before camp so we can review your child’s diabetes management plan and make appropriate arrangements for medication administration and emergency care during camp.

  3. Who can I contact with questions about matters related to this?

Please contact the Camp Director, Skyler Sanford: skyler@openbiblecentral.org