The
Long, Dry Summer
Can sleepaway camp and bedwetting co-exist?
by Laura M. Miller
PARENTGUIDE NEWS April
2007
Our son is ready for sleepaway camp.
He’s independent, makes friends easily and loves sports. Yes, he’s
ready for camp in every way— except one. He still wets the bed occasionally.
What’s a parent to do? You’ve undoubtedly tried all the different
steps to make this problem go away: limiting evening beverages, utilizing
those nighttime alarms and “potty pagers.” It’s frustrating
enough to miss out on sleepovers. And now camp. Is there anything you
can do?
According to the National Kidney Foundation, nighttime bedwetting, also
called nocturnal enuresis, affects five to seven million American children
age 6 and over and occurs three times more often in boys. It remains one
of the most stigmatized childhood conditions.
While bedwetting in a sleepaway camp setting certainly has the potential
to be embarrassing, these statistics indicate it is a more common situation
than most parents realize. Sleepaway camps are experienced at dealing
with this condition and will implement special accommodations to avoid
making your child feel uncomfortable.
Stacey Landman, owner/director of Camp Kennybrook in Monticello, NY, says
kids in this situation can definitely succeed at camp, but it is imperative
that parents be upfront with the camp. “Occasional bedwetting is
not a reason to miss out on a great summer,” says Landman. But she
stresses the importance of the parents and camp directors working together
before the summer to devise a game plan. “We like to know ahead
of time, so that group leaders and counselors can be apprised of the situation—
which we do treat as confidential.” If staff members are armed and
aware, they can be proactive in helping. Knowing in advance also allows
the camp to assign your child to staff members who may be more sympathetic
to the problem and will be adept at handling the situation.
The group leader will find some quiet time to speak with your child in
private, to let him know counselors are aware of the condition and to
set your child at ease. The child and counselor can work out a “secret”
signal for the morning to let the counselor know if bedwetting has occurred.
Then, after the kids have gone off to breakfast or their morning activity,
a counselor or other staff member can remain behind to discretely change
the bedding.
Counselors will often place children who wet the bed closer to the bathroom,
and will wake them late at night for an extra bathroom trip. As a parent,
you should provide helpful instructions to the camp, such as limiting
caffeine and fluid intake after dinner. Also make sure to supply the camp
with rubber sheets, as well as extra bedding, pajamas and undergarments.
Then, if you haven’t done so already, talk to your pediatrician—
the sooner, the better. Unfortunately, only about a third of the families
of children with this troubling problem seek help from a physician.
There are some exciting new treatments out on the horizon. Of particular
interest is a medication administered just prior to bedtime called DDAVP,
(or Desmopressin acetate.) DDAVP, which comes in either a nasal spray
or tablet, is a man-made copy of a normal body chemical that controls
urine production. Though not a viable long-term option, (it only works
for as long as the child is actually on the medication), short-term use
can be quite effective for keeping children dry for important events such
as sleepovers, vacations and, of course, sleepaway camp. Results typically
appear within the first week— often the very first night. About
70 percent of children started on DDAVP will become completely dry.
Finally, take the time to mentally prepare your child before camp. Dr.
Lawrence J. Galinkin of Central Long Island Pediatrics in Old Bethpage,
NY, states, “Children need to understand that their condition is
a temporary one and that they are not alone.” Galinkin continues,
“It’s most important to bolster your child’s self esteem
and reinforce that the condition is not his fault and that he will outgrow
it.”
Perhaps knowing that there are other kids at camp in the same situation
will alleviate some of the anxiety your child may be feeling. Make sure
he or she knows that— when dealt with discretely— bedwetting
is not a big deal and that the group leader is always available to talk.
Dr. Galinkin feels that if kids miss out on the camp experience due to
this condition, it may further affect their social development and welfare.
So, is this the right time for sleepaway camp? Maybe not. If bedwetting
is frequent, it is best to wait an additional year to see if the situation
improves. If the situation persists, you may want to consider a camp that
caters to children with enuresis and other incontinence issues, such as
Camp Kirk in Ontario or Camp Brandon for Boys in New Hampshire.
But don’t ever rule out a sleepaway camp experience for your child.
With a little research, you can find a camp that is sensitive to your
son’s or daughter’s unique needs and is committed to making
camp a happy, successful experience for your child.
Resources for Parents
• National Kidney
Foundation:
www.kidney.org
• American Urological
Association:
www.urologyhealth.org
• American Academy of
Pediatrics:
www.aap.org
• Waking Up Dry:
www.wakingupdry.com
Laura M. Miller is a freelance writer and marketing consultant, who
has been employed by several day and sleepaway camps. Miller is the founder/marketing
director of www.CampRatingz.com, a free camp information Web site. Miller
lives on Long Island with her husband and three sons.
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