EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Summer camp season is kicking into high gear, but so are the number of doctors visits for poison ivy, bug bites and other nuisances that can put a cramp in your child's fun.
Like most summer camps, kids at Mesker Park's Zoo Camp spend several hours outdoors.
While that can be a lot of fun, Family Nurse Practitioner April Shoulders can tell you there are a lot of things that can go wrong.
"Ear infections, pink eye, bug bites, poison ivy, but bug bites and poison ivy are the top things we see in the clinics," says Shoulders.
To prevent that, she has six items she says kids should have with them at any camp.
First on the list is a First Aid Kit, "They have band-aids, anti-biotic ointment, itch relief, things like that."
Next, is sunscreen or sun block. Shoulders recommends between SPF 30 and SPF 50. She says anything over 50 doesn't make too much a difference and only costs more.
Shoulders says you should reapply every couple of hours, even if it is water-proof.
Next, is bug spray. "We're seeing a lot of spider bites, certainly tick bites," says Shoulders.
Camp counselors at Mesker Park Zoo Camp always have it on them, especially in July when things can get bad.
"We plan our schedule to avoid peak insect times, or peak insect locations," says Camp Director Diana Barber.
Shoulders also recommends you pack antibiotic ointment, itch relief cream and hand sanitizer.
Barber has one more suggestion, "Anytime a camper has an allergy we put together an allergy plan for that camper. It could be nuts, it could be insects, so I would say make sure your camp has an allergy plan," she says.
If you are interested in signing your kids up at zoo camp, you can register here. There are still a few spots open.
Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.
