Summer Camp Health Forms: What Parents Need to Complete

What summer camp health forms typically ask for

Camp health forms vary by organization, but most ask for:

• Parent/guardian section: emergency contacts, insurance information, medical history, known allergies (food, environmental, medication), past surgeries or hospitalizations, chronic conditions
• Medication list: every prescription and over-the-counter medication the child takes, including dose, frequency, and whether the camp nurse should administer it
• Clinician section: height, weight, blood pressure, physical exam findings, immunization status, and a signature clearing the child for camp activities
• Dietary restrictions: medical dietary needs (separate from preference), often signed by the clinician for conditions like celiac disease or severe food allergies
• Swim clearance: some camps require a separate clinician note for water activities

The American Camp Association provides sample health forms and notes that camps should develop forms in consultation with healthcare staff and in accordance with state laws 1Ref 1American Camp Association (2024).Health Forms & Records for Campers & Staff.ACA standards for camp health forms including medication management, allergy preparedness, and consultation with healthcare staff and state laws. Many camps also have separate medication authorization forms that need to be signed by both the parent and the clinician for any medication administered on-site — even over-the-counter medications like antihistamines.

When to schedule the visit

Scheduling 4–6 weeks before the first day of camp is generally a good idea. This allows time to:

• Complete any catch-up immunizations that the form reveals are needed (some require more than one dose, spaced weeks apart)
• Get a referral or clearance letter if the camp requires documentation for a specific condition
• Return the form to the camp by their deadline

Camp form deadlines are often 2–4 weeks before the start date. Pediatric practices tend to fill up in late spring — booking early helps ensure availability. The AAP's 2019 policy statement on camp health recommends that clinicians review children's health needs before camp attendance and address immunization status at that time 2Ref 2Ambrose M (American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on School Health) (2019).Improving Health and Safety at Camp.AAP policy statement recommending pre-camp health appraisal, immunization review, anaphylaxis preparedness (noting ~8% food allergy prevalence), emergency medications on-site including epinephrine, and written health policies approved by a physician.

Kids with allergies, asthma, or chronic conditions

Children with significant medical needs may need additional documentation beyond the standard form:

• Severe allergies (including anaphylaxis risk): The AAP notes that approximately 8% of children have food allergies 2Ref 2Ambrose M (American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on School Health) (2019).Improving Health and Safety at Camp.AAP policy statement recommending pre-camp health appraisal, immunization review, anaphylaxis preparedness (noting ~8% food allergy prevalence), emergency medications on-site including epinephrine, and written health policies approved by a physician. Most camps require a completed Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Action Plan and a prescription for epinephrine autoinjectors. The camp nurse and counselors need to know the plan before the child arrives 1Ref 1American Camp Association (2024).Health Forms & Records for Campers & Staff.ACA standards for camp health forms including medication management, allergy preparedness, and consultation with healthcare staff and state laws.
• Asthma: A written Asthma Action Plan listing triggers, symptoms, and when to use a rescue inhaler is often required for children with moderate or severe asthma.
• Diabetes: Camps that accept children with insulin-dependent diabetes typically require a detailed diabetes management plan, including blood glucose targets and instructions for hypoglycemia.
• Seizures: A seizure action plan that includes medication instructions and when to call 911.

Bringing these plans drafted and ready to the appointment — the clinician can review and sign — saves a second visit.

Medications at camp

Policies on medication administration vary significantly by camp:

• Some camps have a nurse on-site who administers all medications from a locked cabinet
• Others expect children above a certain age to self-carry certain medications (like asthma inhalers or epinephrine autoinjectors) after authorization
• Over-the-counter medications like sunscreen, insect repellent, and fever reducers may require signed parental consent even if the camp stocks them

The American Camp Association recommends that each individual's medication profile be reviewed by an appropriate healthcare professional before arrival, and that prescription medications be sent in original, pharmacy-labeled containers 1Ref 1American Camp Association (2024).Health Forms & Records for Campers & Staff.ACA standards for camp health forms including medication management, allergy preparedness, and consultation with healthcare staff and state laws. Check the camp's specific medication policy when downloading the health form.

What if the child just had a well-child visit recently?

If a child had a complete well-child visit within the past year and everything was documented, the clinician may be able to complete the camp's health form without a full new in-person visit — for example, by pulling the chart notes and completing the form at a brief follow-up or nurse visit.

Call the clinic ahead of time to ask whether a separate in-person exam is required for the camp's specific form, or whether the recent visit's information is sufficient. Some camp forms explicitly state "must be completed within X months" — if so, a new visit may be needed even if one happened recently. The AAP Bright Futures periodicity schedule supports annual well-child visits, which in practice means most children should have a recent visit on file 3Ref 3American Academy of Pediatrics (2024).Bright Futures / AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule).Annual well-child visits recommended for children ages 3–21; supports the premise that most children have a recent visit available for camp form completion.