Posted: July 6th, 2009 - 9:37pm
Source: Wall Street Journal

In Santiago, Chile, for a study-abroad semester, 20-year-old Nellie Gotebeski fell ill in March after eating some undercooked fish. Her condition worsened and her kidneys shut down, leaving her hospitalized for 22 days on a dialysis machine, too ill to go home.
Summer camp, teen tours and study-abroad programs are great for building character and broadening horizons. But with growing recognition that such activities can also result in injury, illness and even death, parents need to evaluate the risks and make contingency plans for emergencies.
The American Camp Association, which accredits camps, is taking part in a five-year study of illness and injury at camps. Chief Executive Peg Smith recommends that parents ask if anyone on staff is trained in CPR and learn about provisions for emergency transportation, protective sports gear and safe food handling. Parents can check on whether a camp is accredited and view videos on issues such as swine-flu preventive measures at campparents.org.