What Does a Camp Physical Form Require? A Parent's Complete Guide

What sections are typically on a camp health form?

While every camp has its own form, most include the same core sections:

• Identifying information: Name, date of birth, address, emergency contacts.
• Medical history: Known diagnoses (asthma, diabetes, seizures, allergies, heart conditions), prior surgeries, hospitalizations, and injuries.
• Medications: Every medication the child takes — prescription and over-the-counter — with dose and frequency. Camps need this to administer medication safely.
• Allergies: Food, medication, environmental, and insect allergies, including what reaction occurs and how to treat it (for example, an epinephrine auto-injector for anaphylaxis).
• Immunization records: Most camps require proof of standard childhood vaccines recommended by the CDC and AAP schedule 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2025).Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (updated July 2, 2025).Recommended vaccines for school-age children and adolescents (MMR, varicella, Tdap, hepatitis B, meningococcal, HPV, influenza) that summer camps commonly require. Some specifically ask for MMR, varicella, and tetanus boosters. Camps with swimming may require hepatitis A.
• Physical exam findings: Height, weight, blood pressure, heart and lung sounds, and any relevant findings documented by the clinician.
• Clinician attestation: Signature, license number, date of the exam, and a statement that the child is cleared for participation — or notes any restrictions.
• Special instructions: Space for anything the camp staff should know: dietary restrictions, accommodations for a disability, relevant behavioral context.

How recent does the physical exam need to be?

This varies by camp. Overnight and residential camps often require an exam within the past 12 months. Day camps may accept one from within the past 24 months. Specialized camps — wilderness, sports, camps designed for children with medical conditions — may have stricter requirements. Always check the camp's specific form; the time limit is usually stated near the top of the document.

If your child had their annual well-visit recently, the clinician may be able to complete the camp form using findings from that same visit — saving you a separate appointment.

Who can sign the form?

In most cases, any licensed clinician who performed the exam can sign: a pediatrician, family physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Some older forms still say "physician only," but this is increasingly rare.

Telehealth visits can sometimes cover the history and review portions, but the physical exam itself — listening to the heart and lungs, checking the musculoskeletal system — must be done in person for most camp clearances. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the preparticipation physical be performed in a medical home setting 2Ref 2American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and collaborating organizations (2019).Preparticipation Physical Evaluation, 5th Edition.AAP recommendation that pre-participation and sports physicals be performed in the medical home by a qualified provider, and that physical exam components (cardiovascular, musculoskeletal) must be done in person. Call the camp health office if you are considering a telehealth-plus-in-person hybrid approach.

What vaccines do most camps require?

Most camps expect age-appropriate vaccines from the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) recommended schedule 1Ref 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2025).Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (updated July 2, 2025).Recommended vaccines for school-age children and adolescents (MMR, varicella, Tdap, hepatitis B, meningococcal, HPV, influenza) that summer camps commonly require. For school-age children and adolescents, the schedule routinely includes:

• MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) — two doses
• Varicella (chickenpox) — two doses, or documented prior illness
• Hepatitis B series
• Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)
• Meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY), especially relevant for overnight camps
• Annual influenza vaccine

Camps with swimming may additionally ask about hepatitis A. Check the specific form for your camp's list and compare it against your child's immunization record before the appointment.

Tips to get the form done without stress

1. Download the form early. Camp forms are often available months in advance. Do not wait until two weeks before the session. 2. Bring it to the well-child visit. If your child is due for an annual physical, the clinician can complete the camp form at the same appointment. 3. Bring immunization records. The office may have them on file, but if your child has seen multiple providers, a printed history speeds things up. 4. List all medications in advance. Write down every medication, supplement, and allergy before the appointment so nothing is missed. 5. Ask about turnaround time. If the clinic needs a few days to sign and return the form, plan accordingly. 6. Check the camp's medication policy. If your child takes prescription medication, find out how the camp stores and administers it — you may need an additional authorization form.