Ensuring Your Child’s Health and Safety at Camp Casco

Feb 7

At Camp Casco, we understand that as a parent of a child impacted by cancer, your primary concern is their well-being. Rest assured, your child's health and safety are at the forefront of everything we do. Here's how we create a secure and nurturing environment for our campers:

Comprehensive Medical History Collection

From the very start of the application process, we prioritize your child’s safety by gathering an extensive medical history. This information allows us to fully understand your child’s unique medical needs and plan accordingly to provide the best care during their time at camp.

During the application, you’ll share details such as:

Your child’s medication schedule and dosage requirements.
Allergies and any specific triggers we need to avoid.
Ongoing or past treatments and medical conditions, including cancer-specific details.
Dietary restrictions, preferences, or food sensory issues.

This information ensures our medical team is well-prepared to meet your child’s needs, no matter what. With this insight, we can stock our medical care area– affectionately called the Med Shed at camp– appropriately, prepare personalized care plans, and offer peace of mind that we’ve covered every detail.

24/7 Onsite Medical and Mental Health Care

Our dedicated Med Shed is staffed 24/7 by licensed medical professionals, including doctors and nurses. Whether your child requires daily medications, attention for minor injuries, or simply wants a quiet space to rest, our compassionate team is available to provide expert care.

Recognizing the importance of emotional well-being, we have volunteers onsite 24/7 dedicated to supporting camper mental health. Whether your child needs a listening ear or encouragement, our team ensures they feel seen, heard, and supported throughout their camp experience.

Expert Medical Oversight

Our Medical Advisory Committee, led by esteemed medical professionals including Dana-Farber President Emeritus Dr. Edward Benz, comprises leading pediatric oncologists and infectious disease experts. They review and update our medical policies annually, ensuring our practices align with the latest advancements in pediatric oncology care.

*CEO and Co-Founder Erin Stern presents the 2023 Friend For Life Award to Dr. Edward Benz*

Each summer, we meet stringent health and safety requirements to earn our license from the local Board of Health for all our summer camps. Camp Casco also holds Gold Ribbon Accreditation from the Children's Oncology Camping Association (COCA), reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of safety and excellence in pediatric oncology camping.

Thoroughly Trained Counselors

Our camp counselors undergo a rigorous selection process that goes above and beyond state requirements, including in-depth interviews, comprehensive background checks, and extensive training. Each counselor is required to complete a virtual pre-camp training and an on-site hands-on training. Additionally, we offer extracurricular workshops for our counselors, such as webinars about supporting camper mental health, to equip our team to create a safe and nurturing environment for your child.

*Camp Casco counselors and campers enjoy a fun (and safe!) day on the lake.*

Camp is Fun AND Safe!

At Camp Casco, your child's safety and happiness are our highest priorities. We are committed to providing a secure environment where every child can enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood, build lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories. Sign up for Camp Casco 2025 here.

Common Questions From Parents

Our medical team works closely with each family to understand and accommodate individual health requirements, including medication schedules and any necessary treatments.
We have detailed emergency protocols and are equipped to handle various situations. We train our staff in emergency response and have established procedures to ensure swift action if needed.
Beyond our dedicated mental health volunteers, we train our staff to provide emotional support, fostering an environment where campers feel safe to express themselves and build confidence.
We follow the guidance of the CDC, local Boards of Health, and our medical experts when making decisions about health and safety. Please visit our COVID-19 page for the most up-to-date guidance on our policies and procedures.
We’d love to answer them! Please reach out by sending us a note (link to email or contact page) or schedule a Zoom call with our Program Director, Krystin here.

Abra Landau

Abra “Disco” Landau is the Marketing Coordinator at Camp Casco. You can find her at the beach, spending the weekend in the desert, or listening to her favorite podcasts in her free time.