Lice Outbreaks and Summer Camps

Are you scared that your child may get lice at summer camp? Well, your fears may be justified.  A recent survey found that nearly 24 percent of camp directors reported a lice outbreak at their camps last year. Out of the US camps polled, nearly 40 percent said that they did not check for lice when campers first arrived.

The FairyTales Hair Care Camp Director Survey also found that nearly half of the camps claimed to check their campers in the first 24 hours of their arrival and 11 percent waited for up to 48 hours. The study was mainly done to judge the preparedness of camps as well as parents during the summer months.

Risa Barash, director of Fairy Tales Hair Care, said “Parents expect that camps will do everything they can to prevent lice and that should include using a metal nit/lice comb as soon as kids arrive. However, it’s ultimately up to parents to send lice- free kids which they can do using a comb as well as a natural lice prevention spray or shampoo.”

One of the best reasons to ensure that kids don’t have lice is that over 57 percent of camp directors remove the live infested camper for several days away from their own bunk. Many kids are often ostracized by their peers for having lice.

Dads need to follow a few tips to ensure that pre-camp their kid is lice-free. Some tips for dads include checking the children’s hair and scalp before they go off to camp, washing their hair with lice prevention products, and most importantly educating them about the problem.