Head Lice at camp

By: Dawn Mucci

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Hurray!ч  Camp season is finally here again.ч  It is a time for fun in the sun, new friends and new experiences.ч  For many parents and children, camp is a welcome break, something that everyone looks forward to all year long.ч ч  However, for some camp is a time of disappointment and emotional stress.ч  Especially if head lice prevents a child from attending or even worse, if a child with head lice attends camp and passes it on to other campers.

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If you want to avoid that dreaded call from the camp director and ensure that your child is safe from head lice this camping season.ч  The following are recommendations to consider prior to camp registration.ч 

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Ask your camp director what their policy is on head lice.ч  Do they provide a head lice screening at the beginning of each camping cycle and do they provide treatment to affected campers?ч  You"ll need to know this information if your child is sensitive to pesticides, or if you don"t want them to be used on your child.ч  Most camps do use pesticide to treat effected campers.ч  However, some are becoming more aware of the potential dangers of pesticide use on young children and do take a more natural approach.

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If the camp you are sending your child to does not screen for head lice.ч  You will want to make certain that you inspect your child immediately when they return home from camp.ч  This will prevent infestation within your family and in your child"s class when they return to school in September.ч  If you don"t check, who will?

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It is also a good idea to check your child prior to sending them to camp.ч  If every parent did this, lice would not even be an issue during the camping season.ч  Unfortunately some parents do not know what head lice looks like or they don"t assume their child could ever have it.ч  Therefore they unknowingly send their infected child to camp.

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Let"s all work together to make this camping season fun for all.ч  Not only will the above recommendations help reduce head lice at camp.ч  They will also reduce the severity of head lice this up coming school year.

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If you would like more information about head lice, you can visit www.licesquad.com or call their free information hotline at (705) 456-4440 or (416 859-LICE

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The LiceSquad Inc. is a private company that provides schools, families and camps with professional head lice removal services, head checks and educational training.

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Have a safe and fun summer!

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