Camp Nursing Guidelines

A camp is a recreational place away from a usual residence which provides different opportunities and experience for children or adults. It may be for a day, overnight, or longer; in an urban or rural setting and accommodation may be in a facility, in tents or in the wilderness. A camp is a community that encourages achievement, builds self- esteem, promotes healthy living, fitness and activity, or it may just be the chance to experience a different environment that is healing in itself. Some have a theme, while others target campers with specific interests, such as music or horseback riding. Others specialize in accommodating children and adults with a particular disability or illness. A registered nurse (RN) practicing within a camp setting needs to be prepared for a challenging, demanding, and multidimensional role.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines for registrants1 engaged in nursing within the camp setting, either in a paid position, or as a volunteer. Regardless of the practice setting, the practice of all RNs is grounded in the Canadian Nurses Association’s (CNA's) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2017) and the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta’s (CRNA’s) Practice Standards for Registrants (2023).