Let's go to camp! An innovative pediatric practice placement.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Camp Health Services
• Disability Inclusion

Background:

• Easter Seals Camps in British Columbia serve over 800 children and teens with disabilities annually.
• These camps offer free, overnight experiences with essential on-site nursing care.
• The camps provide unique pediatric placements for nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the partnership between Easter Seals Camps and nursing education.
• To define the responsibilities and role of a camp nurse.
• To highlight learning opportunities for nursing students in a pediatric camp setting.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive analysis of the Easter Seals Camps program.
• Exploration of the multidisciplinary team approach involving nurses and students.
• Review of student learning experiences and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Successful provision of specialized care for children with diverse disabilities.
• Valuable hands-on experience for nursing students in pediatric and community health.
• Effective collaboration within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Conclusions:

• Innovative pediatric camp placements offer significant benefits for nursing students.
• Recommendations are provided for pediatric nurses considering similar roles.
• The importance of accessible, inclusive recreational opportunities for children with disabilities is emphasized.