Kids and Summer Camps - Staying Hydrated = Staying Safe

Is your child in a Summer Camp this year?  Will they be outside exercising?  If so, this may be helpful not only for making it a successful experience but also a safe one.  So far, the summer of 2012 has been one of our warmest in recent memory, and when we work outside we need to realize that heat illness is a very real and potentially fatal risk.  While we may have heard of the occasional death from dehydration and heat illness we most likely have not heard the latest  news from studies regarding the prevalence of heat related illnesses amongst summer sports campers.  As reported on MomsTeam.com in a study done at UConn, between 50 and 75 percent of boys and girls were found to be dehydrated and more worryingly 25 to 30 percent were found to be severely dehydrated.   This was found to occur even though water and sports drinks were made available and coaches actively encouraged kids to drink.  The problems it seems is that kids drink mostly when they’re thirsty.  Often by the time their thirst tells them to drink it is too late and other studies have shown that once dehydration occurs it almost impossible to catch up. 

Signs of dehydration are; dry mouth, thirst, headache, noticeable drops in performance, dizziness, cramps and disorientation.  When these symptoms are observed exercise should be curtailed and the camper given time to rest and rehydrate.

In order to avoid this situation a strategy for staying hydrated throughout the day should be followed.  The US Soccer Federation has an acronym G.O.A.L. for summer camp participants; Get acclimated to the heat and humidity/drink On a schedule/Always bring a sports drink/Learn the signs of heat stress. Below are a list of some of the things that coaches and parents should consider in order to keep campers well hydrated and safe throughout the day.

• Kids should drink on a schedule not when they are thirsty. This should be supervised by coaches.
• Hydrate throughout they day. Before, during and after activity.
• Use Sports drinks only and avoid sugary, carbonated, caffeinated drinks…and NO energy drinks!
• Take frequent breaks to rehydrate…no less than once every 15 to 20 minutes.  Even more if high heat and humidity.
• Take the breaks in shade.
• Have the kids drink only from their own sports bottles.

Following these simple rules will ensure that your child will not only have a safe camp experience but also a successful one.