Health Care

Healthy kids are happy kids. Sonlight healthcare is under the supervision of an RN, and healthcare is a priority for us. Sonlight is in a rural environment. The nearest hospital is in Pagosa Springs, a 30 minute drive. Pagosa Mountain Hospital was opened January, 2008, and is a small, rural hospital. The nearest regional trauma center is in Durango, and hour and a half drive from Sonlight.

Upon arrival to camp, each camper will check in with healthcare staff. To comply with Colorado regulations, campers are not allowed to keep their medications with the exception of rescue inhalers, and epi-pens. Medications MUST be in their original pharmacy containers, or we cannot accept them. The nurse will dispense meds, usually at meal times. Nightime meds are dispensed after campfire, before cabin time.

A health history and physical are mandatory to attend camp. Each year we need the first 3 pages of the health form completed by parents, with a current health history. A physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant exam must be completed within 2 years of attending camp. We do keep those on file at Sonlight, so campers only need a physical every 2 years. Health forms are due in the Sonlight office two weeks before the start of your child's camp session.

Current immunization records are mandatory for camp attendance. Please complete the immunization record on the health form, or attach immunization records from your clinic or pediatrician.

Sonlight will contact the parent contact defined on the health form any time out of camp health care is indicated for your child. In an emergency, should the parent/guardian not be available by phone we will call the alternate contacts. Emergency care will not be withheld in the event the parent/guardian or alternate is not available by phone. We will call if we have questions regarding the health of your child. We do not routinely call parents/guardians for minor health concerns managed by the staff at Sonlight.

Sonlight expects campers to have their health issues well managed. Sonlight does not have the healthcare staff to devote siginificant amounts of time to manage the health concerns of each individual camper (and/or staff). We do reserve the right to refuse admission to a camper who's health concerns are beyond the scope of our healthcare routines.