The health, safety, and well-being of campers and staff is Camp Pemigewassett’s foremost priority. As an accredited member of the American Camp Association, Pemi undergoes rigorous assessment every three years and consistently meets — and in most cases exceeds — all ACA standards for every aspect of camp administration, which includes criminal and sex offender background checks on all employees. The camp is inspected and licensed by the state of New Hampshire for compliance with strict health and safety standards.

Medical Care

Two qualified nurses are on-site at Pemi’s Health Center. Our nurses dispense medications (supplied by CampMeds; see below.) at mealtime and look after the daily medical needs of an active camp community. If a boy requires the attention of a physician, he will be taken to nearby Bradford, Vermont, to the office of Dr. Mark Harris, the camp pediatrician. Emergencies and severe illnesses are cared for at either Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth (20 minutes away) or at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Hanover/Lebanon, (40 minutes away). Parents/guardians are responsible for expenses not covered by their insurance, and agree to promptly pay the treating physician, clinic, or hospital directly.

CampMeds: Prescription Medications, Vitamins, Allergy Pills…

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All campers and staff who take pills of any sort on a daily basis are required to enroll with CampMeds and to provide CampMeds with prescriptions/instructions 30 days prior to start date at Pemi. The key is “in pill form” and “on a daily basis.” This includes prescription and non-prescription pills (such as Claritin or Zyrtec for allergies, vitamins, and fish oil). CampMeds is not a part of Pemi, but is a company that provides this service to our families and staff.

CampMeds dispenses medication in pre-packaged daily or as-needed doses, and ships directly to Camp Pemigewassett. No medication (including vitamins, allergy, and dietary supplements) is kept in cabins except—with permission—epi-pens and inhalers. Medications are dispensed at mealtimes. Only if it is medically necessary and if a specific time is written on the prescription will the meds be dispensed at a different time of day.

Enroll with CampMeds via the CampMeds web site or by calling 954-577-0025. There is a fee for this mandatory service, and CampMeds will impose a late charge if deadlines are missed. All meds left over at the end of camp will come home with the camper. Our Health Center stocks as-needed over-the-counter medication such as Tums, Tylenol, Benadryl, and Nyquil, should your son need them.

We want to be clear that we do expect 100% participation from families with campers who will need medication in pill form while at camp. The only exception to this procedure is if CampMeds notifies us that they are unable to accept your insurance. If your camper does not take medication in pill form, you do not need to register with CampMeds.

Campmeds is an AmericanCamp Association business affiliate and provides service to over 100 camps throughout the US. Please visit www.campmeds.com for more information and to enroll.

Notification of Illness

You will be informed by telephone and/or email if your son sustains an injury beyond basic bumps and scratches and which requires a visit to the doctor, or if he suffers an illness requiring a stay in the infirmary.  If you will be difficult to reach at times during the camp season, or plan to travel, please make sure that we have your itinerary and contact information in addition to the emergency contact names and numbers that you will provide on your son’s health forms.

Staff Training

Pemi staff gathers pre-season for comprehensive training. In addition to instruction from professional educators in lesson planning and teaching skills, all staff members discuss and practice conflict management skills, learn about characteristics and needs of camp-age boys, and are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. Pemi’s philosophy is for all members of the community to be inclusive, respectful, and nurturing.

Water Safety

Swimming is allowed only at certain specified times in designated swimming areas and is always closely supervised, with trained counselors on duty. Pemi uses the Red Cross “buddy” system, and certified Lifeguards supervise all swimming activity.

Drivers/Transportation

Drivers of camp vehicles are age 21 or older and are trained and authorized by camp directors.