Personal Care:
Bathroom
o No one should ever go to the bathroom alone with a camper!! Always double team with another counselor.
o WEAR GLOVES when assisting with personal cares. Gloves, wipes, small plastic bags, laundry soap and a wash basin are kept on the stool in the bathroom. Get refills from the nurse’s trailer or ask the staff.
o When Assisting A Camper That Wears A Diaper Or Pull-Up:
Take the wipes and a small plastic bag with you into the stall. Remove soiled diaper and place in plastic bag. Place used wipes in bag, tie a knot, and throw into garbage.
o Wet clothing should never be put into the dirty clothes bag or suitcase!
Changing
Make sure your camper changes into clean clothes daily. Be sure to put their dirty clothes in a plastic bag that is labeled with their name on it. You can get a garbage bag and a label in the bin in your cabin. Ask a cabin leader if you need more.
When camper has soiled their clothing, assist them in removing clothing if needed. If they are not going to be taking a shower right away, assist them if needed to get cleaned up with wipes. Place used wipes in a small plastic bag. Clothing will need to be washed in basin with soap, rinsed, and hung on the line.
Showers
Have your camper take a shower daily or at least every other day. Ask your camper when they normally take a shower and just go with their usual schedule. They can also take a shower during free time if they haven’t signed up for any activities.
o Women’s Showers
Women can shower in the two showers in the women’s bathroom. There is also a shower house behind the dining hall and the women can use both sides for showering.
o Men’s Showers
Men can use the two showers in the men’s bathroom. There are also showers in the Smokey Bear cabin that the men can use.
Wheelchair transfer
Don’t do the transfer alone! Get one or two more people to help. Place the wheelchair right next to the commode or toilet. Get it as close as possible. The less lifting you have to do, the better. Lock the wheels on the wheelchair so the chair won’t move during the transfer. You may find that counting together with your lifting buddy helps to lift together.
One person stands behind the camper in the wheelchair and holds the camper under the arms. The other person holds the camper by the legs/lower body under the knees. Transfer the camper onto the toilet/commode.
It may help to pull the pants down before you transfer them. Get them situated then give them as much privacy as possible. Cover their lower half with a towel and turn around, or leave them in the stall and check on them after a minute.
Use gloves and wipes to clean them and give them a fresh pull-up if needed. Pull up their pants and transfer the same way to the wheelchair. Make sure they are comfortable. Pull down their shirt in the back because it can get easily twisted. Fix their pant legs as well.
Walkers
If your camper has a walker, help them to their seat and then put the walker outside of the dining hall during meals or during chapel. Those spaces are very crowded and we need it to flow as smoothly as possible.
Middle Of The Night Situations
Each of these situations is unique. Assess the situation. Go to your cabin leader first. Only get the nurse if it is an urgent situation or an emergency. Most things can wait until the morning.
Throwing Up
Stay with them in the cabin or bathroom until they are settled. Give them a garbage can or basin to keep in the cabin. Have counselor take gloves and towels back to cabin just in case.
Upset Stomach
Encourage them to use the bathroom. If they need something to settle their stomach, get some crackers or a Sprite/7-up from the kitchen. Have them take small amounts to see if that helps.
Soiled Pants/Underwear
Get sheets and a blanket from the supply room. Help the camper find clean pajamas to wear. Bag up the soiled items and have the staff launder them in the morning. If this persists, we have adult diapers available in the nurses trailer.
Some situations that you would get the nurse: Someone is running a high fever, is injured, is having a seizure, or other medical problem.
Camper With Her Period
If your camper has her period and she didn’t bring any pads with her, you can get some in the nurses’ trailer. When she goes to the bathroom, check to make sure she doesn’t need to change her pad. Make sure your camper throws the pads and feminine products away and doesn’t try to flush them down the toilet.
Universal Precaution Procedures
Universal precautions should be followed at all times to reduce the possibility of spreading infections from one person to another. All blood and other potentially infectious materials will be considered infectious regardless of perceived status of source individual.
o Latex gloves worn at all times when touching any body fluids. Body fluids include: blood, vaginal secretions, semen.
o The following fluids are also considered potentially infectious if contaminated with blood: feces, urine, vomit, saliva.
o Wash hands before and after contact with any body fluid, even if gloves were worn.
o If skin or mucus membrane was directly touched with a body fluid, wash immediately with anti-bacterial soap and water.
o Bodily wastes should be discarded directly into the toilet.
o Spills of blood or other potentially infectious body fluids:
• Treat with 1:10 chlorine bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water).
• The bleach should be left on spill for several minutes.
• Wearing gloves, wipe spill with disposable towels.
• Discard wipes/towels in to plastic bag and then in proper trash receptacle.
Vomit:
1. Wearing gloves, wipe with paper towels.
2. Place toweling and gloves in plastic bag.
3. Sanitize area with bleach solution.
4. Wash area with detergent.
5. Follow proper glove removal and place in plastic bag.
6. Tie and dispose of bag in proper trash receptacle.
7. Wash hands with anti-bacterial soap.
Camper Laundry:
All camper laundry must be first labeled with camper initials on tags or the inside of the garment/item to be washed. (This should be done when you camper first arrives; however, before turning in to be washed, please double check.
Pre-rinse all laundry if necessary before dropping it off in the DROP OFF BIN, located just inside the main entrance of the Lodge. (extra bags, labels, and markers are available on the side of the bin.)
All items turned in for washing should be gathered in a clear plastic bag, labeled with campers name and cabin.
Clean laundry will be placed in the PICK UP BIN or delivered to your cabin as soon as it is done.
Gloves
Gloves are the most widely used form of personal protective equipment. They act as a primary barrier between your hands and blood-borne pathogens. Gloves are available at the nurse’s trailer and bathroom.
- You should wear gloves when you anticipate hand contact with blood, potentially infectious materials, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin.
- Since gloves can be torn or punctured, bandage any cuts before being gloved.
- Replace disposable single-use gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves, as soon as possible if contaminated, torn, punctured or damaged in any way. Never wash or decontaminate for reuse.
- Bandage open wounds appropriately, even when wearing gloves.
Glove Removal
You must follow a safe procedure for glove removal being careful that no substances from the soiled gloves contact your hands.
- With both hands gloved, peel one glove off from the top to bottom and hold it in the gloved hand. With the expose hand, peel the second glove from the inside, tucking the first glove inside the second.
- Dispose of the entire bundle promptly. Remove gloves when they become contaminated, damaged or before leaving the area.
- Wash hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap and water.
- Never wash or reuse gloves.
Hand Washing Procedure
The single most effective way to prevent and control the spread of infections is by following proper hand washing procedures.
1. Wet hands under warm running water, apply anti-bacterial soap and work up a lather. Apply friction to palms, back of hands, between fingers, thumbs, and wrist.
2. Remove dirt and debris from under the nails, and rinse thoroughly with fingers pointed up.
3. Remember that faucets are contaminated, so turn off with paper towels.
4. Rough and dry hands not only harbor viruses but provide a portal of entry into your body, so apply lotions liberally when not working, especially at bedtime so that they have time to penetrate and soften skin.
Feeding Your Camper Who is Unable to Feed Themselve:
1. Wash your hands.
2. Explain to your camper what you are going to do even if you believe your camper will not understand you.
3. Place your camper in a comfortable position-a normal eating position with head tilted slightly forward.
4. Place your chair so that when you sit down, you are facing your camper with both hands free.
5. Place a small amount of food on the end of the spoon and present the food horizontally to the center of the lips.
6. If the camper does not open his/her mouth when the food touches their lips, manually open by pressing lightly with the fingertip on the chin just under the lower lip.
7. Observe for an overt act of swallowing before offering more food.
8. Do not clean food particles off the chin until your camper swallows as this may cause them to open their mouth and interfere with chewing and swallowing.
9. Begin procedure again. With each mouthful, remember to offer a variety of food, not just one food.
10. Make sure your camper’s face and hands are wiped clean before leaving the dining hall.
11. Wipe off the wheelchair tray if one is used. Clean and remove food remnants from the wheelchair.
12. Pay special attention to the dietary instructions noted on your camper’s application. This includes setting limits for your camper who may want to overeat.
13. Report to the nurse any problems you may have had with feeding.
Medical Care
There is a nurse on duty at all times during camp. The nurses are here to help you. Never feel that any question is too dumb, funny, or embarrassing to ask. The nurses are here to help with medical issues, as well as dispensing medications and overseeing the Nursing Office, which is located in the white trailer next to the chapel.
Medications
1. All meds for campers and counselors are secured under lock in the nursing office. We also stock over-the-counter meds, which are available upon request from a member of the nursing staff.
2. Counselors and workers must turn in their meds, including prescription and over-the-counter items (vitamins, aspirin, etc.), to the nurse. This policy is for the safety of your camper. It is too easy for someone to get into your suitcase, purse, or dresser. Camp Daniel would be held liable for any incidents of campers taking improper meds.
3. Check suitcases, purses, etc. of the campers for any meds that may have not been turned over to the nurse at check-in.
4. Medications are given at specific times as noted on the camper name tag. Each counselor must familiarize themselves with their camper’s med schedule. The nurses should not have to search for you. The meds are passed:
(a) before each meal (8a.m. breakfast, noon lunch, 5 p.m. dinner).
(b) after evening chapel (counselors must bring campers directly to the nursing station immediately after the chapel service and before they get their evening snack).
(c) other times as noted on the name tag of camper.
(d) all meds are given out at the table in front of the nurse station.
Armbands
1. Each camper is given an armband at check-in.
2. If the camper has a red armband, this means alert. Either the camper is subject to seizures, is a diabetic, or has allergies.
3. If your camper loses the medical armband, go to the nurse and they will make you a new one.
Awareness of Abuse
Check your camper for marks, rashes, or bruises. This is done casually during your camper’s first night of preparing for bed. If your camper tells you anything unusual about circumstances occurring at their place of residence, report it to the camp director immediately.
Being Outside
All campers have received instructions to bring sunscreen and insect repellent to camp. If they do not bring these items, they are available at the nursing office. If the weather is unusually hot, push liquids. Water and lemonade are always available in the dining room.
Night time Nursing
If there is a problem with your camper during the night, seek out the head counselor or lead counselor in your cabin. If help is needed from the nurse or other staff person, the head counselor/lead counselor will contact the nurse. If the problem is not an emergency and can be handled in the morning, please wait. For example, vomiting once is not an emergency but repeated vomiting is. However, if the problem is indeed an emergency, seek help.
- Campers becoming homesick tends to occur at bedtime.
- If you need help with the personal care of your camper ask an intern or staff. They will arrange for assistance.
- An Incident Report must be completed for all accidents and unusual incidents. These forms are available from the nursing office.
Seizures
Many campers and counselors have seizures. It is important to have an understanding of what to do during these events.
- Help the person to the floor or ground, if necessary
- Cushion the head, if necessary.
- Do not restrain person.
- Do not place anything their mouth.
- Sometimes the person will just sit and stare during the seizure (this must also be reported to medical staff).
- Most of our seizure-prone campers are regulated with medication.
- Many people who have a seizure will want to rest or use the bathroom afterward.
- Some will not remember the seizure or will be disoriented.
- Counselors will be told if their camper is subject to seizures in addition to being noted on the arm band.
- Contact medical staff immediately.
Wash Your Hands
- 80% of all diseases are spread by hands
- Washing your hands is the most effective way to stop the spread of sickness.
Bathroom Hygiene
1. Campers who are independent in the bathroom will not need direct assistance but may require direction.
2. Use wipes and gloves when assistance is needed.
3. Do not flush wipes, gloves, diapers, or feminine products in the toilet.
4. Place soiled diapers in plastic baggies that are provided for each bathroom; thereby, reducing the smell.
Showers/Hygiene
Make sure you and your camper shower at least every other day, including hair. If soiled or wet, shower daily. Be sure you check the water temperature prior to the camper entering the shower. If your camper awakens “wet or soiled” in the morning, shower right away. Even though many campers are independent, they will need direction. Men should shave daily. Ensure they use deodorant, brush teeth, and comb hair. Be sure your camper changes their clothes every day. Everything you do for yourself each day should be done for/by your camper. When your camper leaves the cabin in the morning they should present a clean, neat appearance.
Special Diets
1. Follow diet instructions noted on your camper’s application.
2. Do not give food or drinks to campers not assigned to you. Diets, allergies, and overeating must be considered.
3. If your camper can’t have certain foods, be careful to not give these items.
4. If on low sugar diet: Don’t give extra foods such as: candy, regular pop, and desserts.
5. Low salt: Don’t give chips, pretzels or add extra salt to meal. Limit to one pop per day.
6. No sugar diet: Don’t give dessert unless sugarless. No candy or regular pop. Kitchen staff provides alternate desserts when a dessert is part of the meal.
7. Diabetics: Ask the kitchen staff or nurse what extra food the camper can have.
8. If camper is constipated, give prune juice, which you can get from the nurse. If problem persists advise the nurse.
9. If camper has diarrhea, give the camper bananas. If problem persists talk to the nurse.
10. Make sure your camper is drinking enough water. This is especially important when the temperature is hot. Water is always available in the dining room.
Miscellaneous
1. Place wet sheets and clothes on the clothes line prior to placing them in plastic dirty clothes bag.
3. Do not cut finger nails or toe nails of campers. If you feel they need to be cut, contact a nurse.
4. Poison ivy is present on the grounds. Keep your camper out of uncut grass. Report any rash to the nurse.
Please get the nurse or staff if you need any of the items listed below:
- Sling
- Insect Repellent
- Thermometer
- Plastic Spoons
- Small Plastic cups
- Straws
- Sudafed Pills
- Tylenol (baby & adult)
- Aspirin (baby & adult)
- Benadryl
- Tums
- Motrin (baby & adult)
- Bleach
- Hand Sanitizer
- Paper Towel
- Hand Soap
- Gloves
- Wastebasket Bags
- Tongue Blades
- Room Spray
- Flashlights Clothes
- anti-diarrhea pills
- Milk of Magnesia
- Cough drops
- Vaseline
- Band-Aids
- 4×4 sponges
- 2×2 sponges
- Ace Bandages
- Dressings
- Butterfly Band-Aids
- Tape
- Cotton Balls
- Hydrocortisone Cream
- Triple Antibiotic Cream
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Benadryl Cream
- Benadryl itch stick
- Nasal Spray
- Medicated powder
- Calamine Lotion
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Sun Screen
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Denture Cleaner
- Saline Solution
- Alcohol Wipes
- Alcohol
- Cold Compress
- Peroxide
- Wipes
- Eye Drops
- Q-Tips
- Razors
- Ear Plugs
- Sling
Jen, Marceaux and MJ Bury
Tim is the Developmental Director at Camp Daniel and serves on the Camp Daniel Board of Directors. Tim is also the Pastor of the Able Church, our church for people with disabilities in Green Bay. Janice is part of the leadership team at The Able Church while working full time for EarthLink. The Mandich’s have been missionaries with Camp Daniel since 2010.
Pink tags & stickers are for the ladies to put on their luggage, and the green tags and stickers for guys. You as the counselor, will also be given a garbage bag and a green or pink sticker to put on it. This garbage bag is for your camper’s belongings that won’t fit in the suitcase, such as a pillow or sleeping bag. Use a different garbage bag for their dirty clothes.
