Swine flu sends campers home early
Flu is not usually something summer camps have to worry about. Welcome to the Summer of '09.
An outbreak of swine flu led the directors of Sandy Hill Camp in Cecil County this week to send roughly 200 campers home about halfway through a two-week session. (Flu is seasonal and usually hits in the winter.) The new virus swept quickly through the overnight camp. During the first few days, six campers came down with flu-like symptoms (later confirmed as swine flu in two kids) and were sent home. On Saturday, six more campers got sick. All campers and staff on the two-week session had their temperatures taken the next morning and four had fevers. Nine more campers developed symptoms by Sunday night. With 10 percent of the kids sick and who knows how many others exposed, the session was called off and everyone went home Monday.
Not to worry, reads a letter sent to parents planning on sending their children to later sessions at Sandy Hill this summer. No one was seriously ill, the directors wrote. And the rest of the sessions this summer will go on. In fact, a one-week session that began Sunday is underway and so far no campers have gotten sick.
Campers across the country have seen their summer plans dashed as swine flu has caused closures in other locations. The Muscular Dystrophy Association canceled all of its camps nationwide -- including two sessions at Camp Maria in Leonardtown -- for fear that a swine flu outbreak could be dangerous to the sick children it serves.
On page two of the Sandy Hill letter, the camp directors try to look on the bright side: "Although not necessarily initially comforting, many experts believe that the influenza A virus will come back in additional waves in the fall/winter during the traditional flu season. It is believed that campers who work through the virus now will increase their immunity against future exposures."
Comments
"It is believed that campers who work through the virus now will increase their immunity against future exposures."
Who believes this? What evidence is there? H1N1 is behaving like the seasonal strain. Like the seasonal strain, the one you get sick with now will likely drift (hopefully not shift) come Winter. This kind of verbage only encourages irresponsible exposures in hopes that it will work like some kind of "vaccine"!
Posted by: Rene | July 1, 2009 9:01 AM
I found a camp for my children this summer using ChoiceCamps.com and when I got to camp they gave my kids a quick "swine-flu" exam. I guess they test campers temperatures as thats one of the first indicators. Kind of funny. Head lice and swine flu :P
Posted by: Gail | July 1, 2009 2:41 PM
my daughter is supposed to leave on Sunday to attend this camp. Not sure if I should still send her or not!
Posted by: Hannah | July 1, 2009 3:22 PM
im going to attend this camp on saturday this is going to be fun ?
Posted by: kyle | July 1, 2009 11:46 PM
For those with questions about Sandy Hill... my daughter is a first year counselor there and has had nothing but wonderful comments about the camp and their directors. She said the flu scare was handled properly. I would not hesitate to send my child to this place. They go above and beyond to handle allergies and special requests. Each counselor is carefully screened, printed and certified. Have a wonderful visit!
Posted by: Kathy | July 3, 2009 9:52 PM
I've been a camp counselor at Sandy Hill; it's family-run and very attentive to children's needs. The fact that the directors sent everyone home indicates how careful they are. The language quoted from their letter isn't irresponsible "verbiage"; if you're concerned, get vaccinated.
Posted by: Sarah | July 7, 2009 12:43 PM
My son has attended Sandy Hill for seven years--since he was seven years old. He is there as I write this. He will not want to come home when camp is over. I cannot imagine a better way to spend two weeks of the summer. I only wish I could go myself. So many different activities, so many great friends, wonderful, fun but responsible counselors. It is an absolutely amazing place, well-organized, well-run, and full of good clean fun.
Posted by: Julia | July 7, 2009 3:54 PM