Resources and Seizure Action Plans for Summer Camp

 

My Toolbox offers a variety of tools to help you organize information about your child (or yourself) and prepare camp staff most easily. The staff will not have access to a medical record, so you’ll want to give them as much as they need in easy-to-read forms. Your child's doctor will also be asked to complete camp specific forms.

Visit My Toolbox and print off the following forms as you prepare your child for camp. Fill them out as completely as possible. Take them to the doctor or nurse and ask him or her to fill out relevant sections. Make plenty of copies and give forms to the appropriate camp staff. In most situations, this will be the camp director and nurse or doctor.

  • My Camp Medical Supplement: This form gives parents a place to add relevant information about their child’s seizure history in more detail. Complete this form in advance and make sure that the medical staff or nurse has time to read it and talk with you about your child’s needs. This information will serve as a basis for developing your Seizure Action Plan.
  • If you use a seizure diary, you may be able to print out a copy of the medical history, medications or any other information you have entered. This could help supplement camp forms if needed, or make filling out camp forms easier.
  • My Camp Checklist: Use this form to help you prepare your child for camp. Remember to pack medical supplies, including medications, magnet, equipment, or other medical needs.
  • A Seizure Action Plan is a working document that will tell people about your seizures and how to respond when help is needed. Seizure Action Plan (General) is intended for people of all ages in any setting. The Seizure Action Plan (School) is specific to school settings. Use whichever meets your needs in the camp setting your child or you will attend.
    • Print off a blank paper copy from the Toolbox and complete. Fill out the form while thinking specifically about the camp environment and available staff. Make sure you have full information about what to do in an emergency and who to call for help.
    • Or create a Seizure Plan from your online My Seizure Diary.
    • Ask your child's doctor or nurse to review this with you before you give it to the camp staff. Use this document as a teaching tool to help the staff understand your child’s needs.
  • Medicine Schedule: Use this form to write out exactly what medicine your child takes and how it should be given. You can print this from your My Seizure Diary too! You’ll need to find out from camp staff how medicine will be given to your child and how you should send it to camp.
  • My Health Care Team: Staff at overnight camps may need information about how to reach your child's health care team. Use this form to organize contact information. You will still need to complete medical release forms for each provider, allowing them to talk to camp staff about your child.
  • Communication Book: Ask camp staff to use a notebook or journal to write down any general comments, observations or questions for you or other staff. This can help everyone know what to do more easily. If you prefer electronic communications, email or text messaging may also help, but don’t rely on this for emergency situations! Make sure that there is always a way for camp staff to contact you or another emergency contact directly.
  • Resources to Track Seizures: You’ll want staff to know what to look for when they see a seizure, how to track seizures and what to write them on. Visit My Toolbox and print off the forms that work best for you. Add personal notes too!
    • Seizure Forms: A variety of forms help people know what to observe, how to track seizures, use different types of diaries and develop Seizure Action Plans.
    • Medication and Communication Tools: Forms to help organize and track medications, communicate with your team, remember to do lists and questions, and tips to manage lifestyle and safety.

Authored By:

Patty Obsorne Shafer RN, MN
Steven Schachter MD

Reviewed By:

Epilepsy Foundation Digital Strategies
Joseph I. Sirven MD
Patty Obsorne Shafer RN, MN

on Tuesday, April 14, 2020

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