Fun-in-the-Sun Safety at Camp!

• Children should come to camp equipped with a sunscreen that provides minimum SPF 30 protection.
• Many camp activities take place in the shade saving "sun time" for water sports and field games.
• Provide your child with clothing options that protect from harmful rays:
   
  • Wear a hat with at least a 4-inch brim that circles the head or a flap that covers the neck.
  • Use UV-rated sunglasses. Overexposure to UV rays may cause glaucoma.
  • Send a long-sleeve shirt to camp. Remember, most cotton t-shirts have an SPF of 6-10 so they aren't good protection by themselves.
  • Remind your child to put sunscreen on his or her torso, too!
• Learn to recognize the signs of melanoma by using this ABCD Watch:
   
  • Asymmetry-if folded in half, the skin mark doesn't match or is unequal in shape.
  • Border-the area has a scalloped or poorly circumscribed border.
  • Color Varies-the area has changed color or varies from one area to another. There may be shades of brown and black, or even red or blue.
  • Diameter-the area is larger than 6mm (larger than the diameter of a pencil's eraser).

Linda Ebner Erceg, R.N., M.S., P.H.N., executive director of the Association of Camp Nurses.

Healthy Kids