Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world."
- Ada Louise Huxta

For many, summer evokes childhood memories of simpler times - of laughter, seashells, long lazy days and of course summer camp. Many summer camp veterans can attest that camp can be a profoundly positive and life changing experience. That is why choosing the right camp is so important.

Parents of children with epilepsy may have unique concerns when planning to send their child to a summer camp. Among these concerns are safety and the competency of camp staff to deal with their child’s seizure disorder. In addition to knowing basic seizure first aid and how to give daily seizure medicine, camp staff will also need to know how to give ‘as needed’ interventions for seizures and how to prevent seizure emergencies.

Our new Seizure Preparedness is designed to help you be prepared to manage seizures safely and not let epilepsy stand in your way. A special section on Adapting Plans to Summer Camps will help parents take preparedness a step further - helping you choose a summer camp and prepare for summer fun!

The following links will take you to Seizure Preparedness – parents are encouraged to start at the beginning and develop preparedness plans, or jump right to Adapting Plans to Summer Camps where you will find the following information:

• Choosing a Summer Camp
• Camps for Kids with Epilepsy: Summer 2008
• Understanding Types of Camps
• Evaluating Camps 101
• Preparing Staff for Seizure Management
• Using Preparedness Plans
• Participating in Camp Activities
• Tips to Enhance Camp Participation
• Staying Safe at Camp
• Water Safety

Additional resources (found in the left navigation box) include:

• Children with Vagus Nerve Stimulators: Issues at Summer Camp
• My Camp Medical Supplement Form
• My Camp Checklist

We hope you find these resources helpful and have a relaxing and fun summer!

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last reviewed: 6/01/07