Health & Safety

At Camp Wojtyla, your child’s health and safety are our top priorities.

As a licensed residential camp, we operate under the guidelines of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Child Care Licensing, and we undergo annual inspections to ensure compliance.

We strictly follow all regulations set forth by these state agencies—and in many cases, our health and safety protocols go above and beyond what is required.

Health & Medical needs

The Camp Wojtyla medical team is overseen by a licensed physician. The team will review any camper health concerns with parents before camp begins as necessary.

Each summer session will have a medical tent with a licensed nurse and aide on duty to manage medications, special health needs, and any unexpected illnesses or injuries. In addition, counselor staff are trained in wilderness first aid, and we have full-time licensed physical therapists on site.

Special Considerations Regarding Communicable Diseases

As a state licensed summer camp, we comply with the guidelines of Boulder County Public Health when addressing communicable illness contracted before or during camp. Children may not attend or remain at Camp if showing signs or symptoms of a communicable disease. When registering, parents will be provided with a complete communicable disease policy to review and sign off on.

MEDICATIONS

To protect children from reactions to unknown allergies and prevent overdoses, the State of Colorado has very strict medication administration guidelines. Medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, may ONLY be administered at camp according to those guidelines.

This means any medication sent to camp MUST be accompanied by a fully completed Camp Wojtyla Medication/Treatment Authorization form.

  • This includes any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements and all prescription medications such as pills, topicals, EpiPens, and inhalers.

  • The form must be signed by both a parent and the camper’s medical provider. We are not allowed to administer ANY medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter, without both required signatures.

  • If a child begins taking a new medication after the form has already been submitted to the registrar, the original form must be updated, initialed, and dated, or a new form can be completed in full, then submitted by email to medicalforms@camp-w.com.

All medications brought to camp must be turned in to the Camp Nurse at check-in and must meet specific guidelines that will be provided in our Medical Forms packet after registration.

Medications you do not need to send:

Unless required for daily use, there’s no need to send pain relievers (Ibuprofen, Tylenol), antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec), gastrointestinal relief, sunburn relief, antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisone cream, fiber, cough drops. Camp stocks these over-the-counter medications listed for “as-needed” administration.

  • These medications are listed on our Medication/Treatment Authorization form for your child’s healthcare provider to select and sign off on. The medications will NOT be given if permission to do so has not been indicated on the form.

medical records

In accordance with the guidelines set by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Child Care Licensing, two physician-signed Camp-specific medical forms are required for every camper by March 15. These forms include:

  • Camp Wojtyla Participant Medical Release

  • Camp Wojtyla Medication/Treatment Authorization

Due to state regulations, we are unable to accept substitute forms.

Additionally, we must receive either a State of Colorado Certificate of Immunization or a Colorado Certificate of Nonmedical/Medical Exemption, as appropriate, by the same deadline. The CDPHE permits only specific alternate immunization forms which are included in the Camp Wojtyla Medical Forms packet.

Parents of registered campers can access the full packet through the Parent Handbook or by visiting the Parent Information Center via their Registration Portal.

Safety precautions

Our administrative team and summer staff study the human and environmental components of risks and learn how to mitigate possible risks through compliance with policy, proper planning, and sound decision making.  We take them through classroom analysis of safety related topics such as lightning, severe weather, high alpine terrain, wildlife, medical scenarios, group dynamics and sound leadership as well as in action through long, rigorous high alpine summits, rock climbing at 10,000 feet for upwards of ten hours and hours of practicing wilderness scenarios. Staff are trained in wilderness first aid and Camp safety protocols that have been developed in collaboration with local authorities.