Sunday, July 5, 2009

Sunday Health Update

The following email was sent to our Kamp families on Sunday afternoon.

Dear Kamp Family,

God is big and despite the fact that the seasonal influenza is all over the country, Kanakuk is doing well. This past two-week term we continued to experience Kampers in small numbers who come to some of our health centers with temperatures and, as per our new protocol, we are separating them and sending them home with their parents. Those departures are difficult moments for us, as it’s a chance slipping away to minister to your family.

To put it in perspective, we have had over 2250 kids and 800 staff at our Kamps this past two weeks and to date we have sent 48 kids home. Some of our Kamps have had no issues and less than 2% of Kampers overall have had to go home.”

Unfortunately, we are finding out that some of the Kampers that have been sent home do not have the flu. However, we are still being advised that the best way to handle the influenza this year is to be on the safe side and send anyone who has flu-like symptoms home. Again, we are blessed that this influenza is relatively mild and the kids are recovering well from its symptoms.

Most of our Kamps will change over tomorrow and we will continue to be vigilant with our pre-screening program. Our new pre-screening program Kamp-wide is working well and we will continue to do this all summer long. Please help us by keeping your child at home if they have fever or are sick. If they have been sick we need to know that as well. This will help our program run smoothly and allow us to do what we do best…minister to and encourage your kids.

Dr. Mike Johnson, Chief of Medicine, Infectious Disease Specialist at Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville in Charlotte, NC, who was a guest with his family at Family Kamp this week commented during his stay, “You have done more than most health systems. I’m here with my family and I am impressed with how you are handling things.”

Dr. Stacy Furlow, Chief of Pediatrics for Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, AR, and volunteer Kamp physician stated, “This is the summer influenza going around this year. Fortunately, it is a mild version, but it’s the flu this season. Kanakuk is handling this situation very well.”

Their sentiment and technical advice, and the continuing support of the state and local health officials have given us great confidence in our ongoing efforts to provide a safe environment for Kampers. There are six weeks of summer left! Those of you preparing to arrive may have received or will receive an email before your term that gives you more information about the pre-Kamp screening process. Thanks for your support in helping us keep Kamp healthy.

Please be encouraged that the health and safety of your children is and always will be a top priority at Kanakuk Kamps, and we hope we have proved this once more by the manner in which we have handled this situation. The positive response and feedback we have received from so many parents is a great blessing to us.

For ongoing information please visit: www.insidekanakuk.com.

Blessings,
Doug Goodwin
Chief Operating Officer
Kanakuk Ministries

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2 comments:

ok with me said...

How can you tell your child's ok? They can seem to post photos, it appears the web site is broke or is it they just are not concerned. I find it hard to believe that a "family valued" camp doesn't care about parent support!

Organic Husband said...

With more information I can try and help make sure the photos are working for you. Photos from the previous day are posted by noon each day. All Kamps photos are working.