What is the policy for a fever of 100.5 degrees at camp check-in?

• A. Not allowed to enter, and may return once fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.
• B. Allowed to enter with a note from a parent.
• C. Allowed to enter if the fever subsides within two hours.
• D. Only allowed if a negative COVID-19 test is provided.

Answer: (A)

Fever policies at camp are about preventing illness from spreading to others. A fever of 100.5 degrees signals that a child may be contagious, so the rule is to stay out of camp and only be allowed back after they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications. This 24-hour window helps ensure the child is truly recovering and less likely to transmit anything to other campers.

Parent notes don’t override this concern, and a fever that goes away within a couple of hours isn’t a reliable sign of recovery. A negative COVID-19 test also wouldn’t address all possible illnesses or contagiousness, so it isn’t the criterion used for reentry.