Our first session campers are almost home feeling the carpet under their feet. Soon their sandy camp feet will be replaced with clean feet. We had a sensational first half and many tears were shed last night and this morning. Today it’s another hot, muggy day at camp. We had a cabin banner contest this morning and will display each cabin’s art work tomorrow morning. This afternoon we are tubing, skiing and swimming in Blue Lake. The staff will also be playing a softball game against the senior campers. Tonight we will enjoy the movie, “We Bought a Zoo” in Happy Camper Hall with pizza, apple slices and soda. I plan to get everyone in bed early tonight so they can greet parents with a wide smile tomorrow morning at 9am.

As many of you may know we had a very warm winter up north this past winter. I think I went downhill skiing only once all winter!  Anyway, because of our mild winter the insect population here is heavier than past summers and we are seeing more bites on various campers. In the past 24 summers I have had many cases of swimmers itch, chiggers, ticks, mosquitoes as well as other creepy crawly things found in nature,  but…… with the warm temperatures they are on the rise.

Swimmers itch appears as a small, red, raised, rash on the torso, and initially can be itchy.  My own children have been in the water all summer and have a case of swimmers itch as well. It is not harmful or contagious but rather annoying. Rinsing off with hot water and soap helps reduce swimmers itch but not all the girls’ like to rinse off until….. they get it.  The red spot may continue to increase in size for 24-30 hours after first bitten. It may continue to itch on and off for up to one week.  Children often develop swimmer’s itch more often than adults because they usually swim more often and their skin may be more sensitive.  Children also tend to stay near the water’s edge where there is less current and movement in the water.

Chiggers appear as larger, red, raised bumps that itch, burns and at times may blister. This too is not contagious and will eventually disappear. Chigger bites do not produce any long term complications. Chiggers are found in grassy areas.  Giving Benadryl may help. Washing with soap and water after outdoor activity may remove chiggers. As with mosquito bites, proper outdoor clothing can help prevent chigger bites but campers hate wearing long pants on hot summer days here at Agawak.

We want you to know that any cases we have seen regarding swimmers itch, mosquito or chigger bites have been treated by Melissa Gurvey from Hairpicksies and our nursing staff.  I just wanted to make sure none of you hit the panic button if you notice either of these conditions on your daughter.

Everything here is fabulous and we are looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow. I couldn’t ask for a better start to the summer. Remember to tune into 89.7 FM tomorrow morning as you are heading down Agawak Rd.

I’m off to go play one of my favorite sports…….softball.  One last thing, please do not ask for your daughter’s cell phone to be returned to you tomorrow if she wasn’t suppose to bring it in the first place. This excludes all flyers of course. Safe Travels North.
 

Smile on,
Mary