In order for a child to attend a summer camp, a physical exam is often required. Even when it isn’t enforced by the camp itself the American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommends an exam to ensure your child’s health. A camp physical assesses potential risks summer camp could pose for your child based on several factors. Among those are medical conditions, allergies, lack of immunizations, disabilities, and general health.

The pediatric primary care provider will screen your child for any pre-existing medical conditions that could be triggered during a standard camp activity. Summer camps can also be ripe with allergens capable of triggering allergic reactions or asthma. Resultantly, your pediatric primary care provider will assess potential triggers and advise parents of medications, treatments, or recommended precautions to ensure the summer camp poses no risks to your child.

It is important to have your child’s camp physical conducted well ahead of the date your child will attend camp to ensure enough time is available to catch up on potentially lagging vaccinations or address medical conditions or concerns that arise during the examination.