Please note that, in order to streamline our process and minimize the potential for medication errors, we introduced a new system for medication administration using an industry standard practice known as “blister packing” last summer.
PLAN AHEAD: If your camper takes any daily/scheduled medications/supplements, please read this info and decide on a plan as soon as possible, as turn-around times for blister packing vary widely from 2-3 days to requiring 3-weeks notice.
Medication Administration
As always, the safety and well-being of our campers is our top priority. As Glisson has grown in size and the percentage of campers who take daily medications keeps rising, administering camper medications has become increasingly complex over time. In response, we are introducing what is becoming an industry best practice – medication “blister packs” – as a way to streamline our process and help minimize the potential for medication errors. Thank you in advance for partnering with us in this way as we strive to provide the best possible care for campers.
Medications At Camp
- MUST CHECK IN: Any and all prescription and over-the-counter medications, supplements, and vitamins MUST be checked in with our Healthcare Team during drop-off. These items cannot be kept in luggage or with the camper. The only exceptions are epipens and rescue inhalers, which must be cleared by our Healthcare Team and checked in with the counselor at drop-off.
- WHAT CAMP SUPPLIES: Our Healthcare Center is stocked with basic over-the-counter medications (see FAQ item below for list) that can be provided to campers as-needed.
- HOW TO PACK: For Summer 2024, how to pack medications now depends on type and timing. See boxes below for instruction. Please note that we cannot accept or dispense medications that are not professionally labeled/packaged.
NEEDS TO BE BLISTER PACKED
- All daily/scheduled prescription and over-the-counter oral medications, vitamins, and/or supplements that are in pill or chewable form need to be in blister packs prepared and sealed by a licensed pharmacist.
KEEP IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS
- As-needed (PRN) medications
- Emergency medications (inhaler, epipen)
- Liquid medications, drops, creams, powders, inhaled/injected
- Medications that are already blister packed as part of their original packaging
What Are Blister Packs?
Blister packaging refers to a process/product where a licensed pharmacist packages an individual’s daily medications into what’s known as a blister pack (aka “bubble card”, “pill card”, etc). A blister pack has multiple small, clear plastic bubbles for each instance that medications are to be taken (e.g. breakfast, dinner, etc) over a defined time period (e.g. one week, etc). Blister packs are backed with foil that secures the correct medications and doses within each plastic “bubble”, which is marked for the correct time of day to be dispensed and taken. As a visual reference, here’s a PDF with Sample Blister Packs.
Why Blister Packs?
Blister packs are becoming the industry standard, and help ensure compliance with state medication administration laws and medical protocols. We understand that the shift to blister packs adds another step to a parent’s pre-camp to-do list. Please know that adopting this system comes after much research and consulting with our healthcare team confirming that blister packs will significantly streamline camp’s medication administration process and, most importantly, minimize potential medication errors. We also anticipate campers will spend less time waiting in lines for medications, which means more time spent with their living group engaged in camp activities each day.
What needs to be blister packed?
All daily/scheduled prescription and over-the-counter oral medications/supplements that are in pill/chewable form must be packaged by a licensed pharmacist in blister packs that are professionally labeled with the camper’s name and medication names. Please do not send homemade pill packs.
How do I get blister packs?
Blister packs must be professionally packed and sealed by a licensed pharmacist. Many local, independent (family-owned) pharmacies offer this service. Please plan ahead, as turn-around times vary. There are two options available for consideration (see below). If your pharmacy or another local pharmacy offers blister packing, that will likely be the preferred option. Alternatively, Glisson is partnering with Woody’s Pharmacy in Dahlonega, GA to provide blister-packing for your convenience. See boxes below for options and steps.
A) LOCAL PHARMACY
Click + for details
Use your current pharmacy or another one nearby that offers blister-packing.
STEP 1: PLAN AHEAD
Please plan to complete Step 2 – “Choose Pharmacy” – at least 3 weeks prior to your camper’s session so that Woody’s Pharmacy (requires at least 3-weeks notice) can still serve as your fallback option. From there, please plan to complete the rest of the steps at least one week prior to your camper’s session as many pharmacies have a 2-3 day turnaround time for blister packing.
STEP 2: CHOOSE PHARMACY
Call your pharmacy and ask if they offer blister-packs. If not, please know that many local, independent pharmacies (i.e. family-owned rather than national chains like CVS, etc.) offer this service. If you cannot find a local pharmacy that offers blister packing, please proceed to option B (Woody’s Pharmacy in Dahlonega).
STEP 3: INCLUDE OTC ITEMS
If your camper takes any over-the-counter medication and/or supplements on a daily/scheduled basis, be sure to include those items in your blister pack order. If your camper uses over-the-counter medications or supplements daily that your chosen pharmacy does not have in stock, you will need to take these medications to the pharmacy for inclusion in the blister pack.
STEP 4: CALL DOCTOR
Contact your camper’s doctor/pediatrician and ask that they call in one week’s supply of your camper’s prescribed pill/chewable medications to your chosen pharmacy.
STEP 5: BRING TO CAMP
Pick up your blister pack and have it with you in the car on check-in day. Our healthcare team will collect your camper’s blister-packed medications during check-in.
B) WOODY’S PHARMACY
Click + for details
Use our partner pharmacy – Woody’s Pharmacy in Dahlonega, GA – and have your blister packs delivered to Glisson.
Step 1: Plan ahead
Please follow the steps below at least 3 weeks prior to your camper’s session:
Step 2: Call Woody’s
Call Woody’s Pharmacy at (706) 867-3784 to set up an account for your camper. They will collect all pertinent information over the phone including insurance and billing.
Step 3: Provide Med & Camp Info
If your camper takes any over-the-counter medication and/or supplements on a daily/scheduled basis, be sure to provide this info to Woody’s for inclusion in your blister pack order. These items will be supplied at a low cost according to their inventory. Please be sure to specify your camp session as well (ex. “Village Week 3, June 9-14”).
Step 4: Call Doctor
Call your camper’s doctor and ask that they call in one week’s supply of all prescribed pill/chewable medications to:
Woody’s Pharmacy
706-867-3784
406 East Main Street
Dahlonega, GA
Step 5: Delivered To Camp
Your camper’s blister-packed medications will be picked up by Glisson staff prior to your arrival. All other PRN, liquids, creams, etc. should be turned in to our healthcare team during check-in in its original packaging.
Can I make my own blister pack at home?
No. Blister packs MUST be packaged by a licensed pharmacist. Pharmacists ensure that your camper’s medication is labeled correctly so that our healthcare team can administer the right dose at the right time to the right camper. Any and all medications and supplements must either be blister packed by a licensed pharmacist or in their original containers (see boxes above for details). Per industry best practices and state laws/protocols, we cannot accept or dispense homemade packs of medications of any sort.
Will I still get to fill out a Medication Administration Form?
You betcha! As in previous years, campers with medications will need to complete a Medication Administration Form prior to arrival (PDF also included in pre-arrival emails).
How do campers receive medications while at camp?
Upon arrival, all medications are collected by a member of our healthcare team during check-in. During the week, our staff ensure that campers receive their medications at the correct time as noted on their Medication Administration Form. Village and Sparrowwood campers are escorted to visit our healthcare team at the Health Center. Outpost camper medications are stored in a secure location, then distributed by each camper’s counselor.
Additional FAQs & Contact Info
For more info about specific medical administration scenarios, click or tap the questions below. If after reading the info on this page you have any questions about medication administration prior to your camper’s session, contact us at: summer@glisson.org or (706) 864-6181
Liquid medications, drops, creams, powders, inhaled/injected medications cannot be blister-packed and must be turned in to the healthcare team in original packaging during check-in.
Any as-needed (PRN) medications that are not taken regularly should NOT be blister-packed. Please provide these medications to our healthcare team in their original packaging during check-in. Note that our healthcare center is stocked with basic as-needed medications that can be provided to campers as-needed (see list below). Also note that no medications, vitamins, or supplements are to be kept in luggage or with the camper with the exception of epipens and rescue inhalers, which must be cleared by our Healthcare Team and checked in with the counselor at drop-off.
Below is a list of over-the-counter medications our Health Center keeps stocked and can provide as-needed.
- Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Antihistamine/allergy medicine (Claritin/Allegra/Zyrtec)
- Diphenhydramine antihistamine/allergy medicine (Benadryl)
- Pseudoephedrine decongestant (Sudafed)
- Guaifenesin cough syrup (Robitussin)
- Dextromethorphan cough syrup (Robitussin DM)
- Sore throat spray
- Laxatives for constipation (Milk of Magnesia)
- Anti-diarrheal (Imodium)
- Pepto-Bismol
- Antacids (Tums)
- Lice shampoo or cream (Nix or Elimite)
- Calamine lotion
- Itch relief swabs
- Antihistamine ointment
- Antifungal ointment
- Antibiotic Ointment
- Analgesic Ointment
As soon as you get your prescription, call to see if your chosen pharmacy can complete a blister pack in time. If not, please bring the new medication to check-in in its original container.
Some medications (e.g. ADHD, birth control) already come packaged in a blister pack. These medications do not need to be re-packed into new blister packs.
If your camper needs scheduled/daily over-the-counter medications not provided by your pharmacy while they are at camp, please discuss options with your pharmacist/pediatrician as these must be included in the blister packs. Legally, we cannot administer medications that have not been prescribed by a doctor, are not FDA approved, and/or have not been packaged by a pharmacist. If your camper can go without it for their time at camp, leave these medications at home.
Per state laws/protocols, our healthcare team is only allowed to administer what is prescribed to your camper from their doctor’s prescription. Checking the correct dosage before administering any medication is a standard safety practice. Please do not request a higher or lower dosage than what is prescribed/labeled.
If after reading the information provided on this page you have any questions about our medication administration system prior to your camper’s session, please contact us at: summer@glisson.org or 706-864-6181.