Sunscreen at Summer Camp

If this is really their policy and they refuse to work with you, I'd get a doctors note from the pediatrician "prescribing" sunscreen being reapplied.

I worked in day camps for three years. We always reapplied sunscreen midway through the day, but it was treated like medications. We requested the spray on sunscreen because it was a time saver and easier to apply, but it was merely a request. We also had to be very careful that sunscreens were labeled carefully and didn't get mixed up. It was a hassle and not something we loved to do, but we did it. Here in Texas it is just too dangerous to go without it.

I know some are more waterproof than others. I would look into which sunscreens are longer lasting.

I'm confused: You write that he is "going out to play four hours after I appled sunscreen." Does that mean that he is, as I read it, doing something indoors for four hours, then going outside? Or do you mean he is spending four solid hours outdoors, and you perhaps left a word out and it should be "going out to play FOR four hours"? It's a little hard to tell but I"m going to assume that you mean he's going outdoors after four hours of being inside, and that your concern is that the sunscreen is wearing off while he's not outside.

I am a huge user of sunscreen and use it on my daughter liberally too.... but I think you can relax here.

It sounds from your post as if the kids are not outdoors the entire four to four and a half hours. So he's outside for what? Half an hour around midday, and at some point earlier but not for hours?

If you use a high quality sunscreen that promises it stays on well (maybe a waterproof one even if he's not going in the water), and are liberal with it, and if he does not sweat more than average, I think he will be OK. If he is especially fair, redheaded or very pale and blonde, then maybe do get a doctor's note and provide a spray-on sunscreen but they may balk even at that. Otherwise, I'd let him go. Can he keep a hat on yet at his age or will he just lose it? That is another good option to add -- a wide-brimmed hat made with material that keeps out sun.

It is possible that this policy is based on (1) considering sunscreen to be like medication, and the staff is not approved/insured etc. to administer it; and/or (2) policies against staff touching kids. A staffer would have to rub sunscreen all over a kid's face, neck, arms, legs, and even if there were zero issues, the kid might get upset at a stranger doing this. I'm not saying it's a good excuse on the camp's part but it's probably what they're thinking.

If he is indeed entirely outside for four hours straight, then yes, you might want to find another camp. You may find that some camps do apply sunscreen but I know that many camps will not.

I'd ask to talk to the director and professionally explain your situation. With all the articles out there on skin cancer these days, you'd think they'd be more accommodating. Ask about if they could at least spray him down with the spray-on sunscreen after he gets wet or in the half hour before you arrive. You should also send with a hat. If they're really not willing to budge, think about switching if that's a possibility. Otherwise, you could pick him up a half hour early. Try your best to compromise with them, since it's understandably a hassle for them to add into the schedule...but it is important!

My son is very pale and surely burns like his father and I. I'm very vigilant about good sunscreen and a hat. I can burn in 10 minutes, so if I were outside between 12:30-1:00 without sunscreen, I'd be quite red.

Frequently schools/camps/daycares aren't ALLOWED to apply sunscreen. It depends on where you are. When we lived in California, my son's preschool could apply only the sunscreen we sent labeled with his name. They had a huge tub and had to open the correct tube for each individual child. Here in Maryland, they can't apply sunscreen without the medicine form filled out (same as to give child a noon dose of meds or something).

For half day with no swimming and not sweating and toweling off, your son should be fine with what you put on in the morning. Get him a nice high SPF and make sure you are putting on enough of the lotion (really like a tablespoon is recommended on an adults face alone!).

Hope this helps.

T.

So, the outside time is not for the duration of the camp, only what amounts to maybe an hour or so? And, the camp is around 5 hours long? I'd say that if you liberally apply the sunscreen before drop off, and he's not sweating or swimming, then he should be fine. If he was going to be outside for hours, or getting wet, then I can understand being frustrated. In this scenario, I don't think it's a huge deal & not a battle I would choose to make, personally.

Schools typically cannot apply sunscreen on a child.
This is common.
So the parent has to apply it on the child, before school.

Get the kind of sunscreen that is water resistant and the "sports" type.
That lasts longer.

Also, kids should NOT be in the sun ALL day.
They should have access to shade... and be given breaks to be IN the shade etc. Or the group leaders should be having periods where they lead the kids into shadier areas.

Being in the sun ALL day, for child or adult, is not good.
Being in heat all day, for a child or adult is not good.
So ask them: will the kids be ALSO given the option or direction, to go in the shade?
Or if a child does NOT want to be in the sun, then what??? Ask your provider that.
AND, do the kids have water bottles or access to drink water, when they want to?
For some, being in the sun/heat/hotness for even 1/2 hour, is a lot.
I know, I live in Hawaii.
And this is what schools do here.

Also, even if your son is 3... teach him to say "I am hot..." etc., to the group leaders. And teach him to say "I need water...." to the Group Leaders.

*ADDING THIS:
Does the playground or whatever, have trees, for shade? Or a building structure to go under for shade?
3 year olds are young, and some may not want to be in the sun or may want to play in the shade.
Regardless, you can ask the Provider(s) that.
If they have enough adult to kid ratios, then they can certainly observe the kids and if some kids are languishing under the sun.

Also, people can get sunburned even in the shade.
I know this personally. And also being I live here in Hawaii.
Lots of sun here.

Hi.
I am living abroad in a hot climate. and my son has very pale sensitive skin :)
I apply the waterproof sunscreen at the house before we leave and then once we arrive. And my son wears a hat. He is usually fine.

Some ideas as well:
1. they make spf clothing for kids and adults. including hats and shirts.
2. can you teach your son to put some sun block on his nose and chin and other sensitive areas after snack time or something...
3. as stated, can you get a dr note?
good luck,
jilly

I would find another camp. Most of the ones I looked intp will not put it on unless they have written permssion from the parent. I have never heard of one that won't at all. That is very unsafe, and unless they have the little ones indoors, I do not see how they could send them home anything but sunburned or getting tanned depending on the kids skin types....

ETA - Based on what you added if it is only a 1/2 hour later in the day then I would not worry so much. Even though sun block weakens over time, it should still be okay for that limited exposure.

I think your being over protective. My daughters have gone to camp that has the same policy. It was never really an issue. I dressed them in shorts and a t-shirt. They were outside, but a lot of it was in the shade.

If your child is very fair skinned, that may be an issue. In that case have your doctor write an order that sun screen must be applied.

I would be upset also. My girls go to the YMCA summer day camp and they put sunscreen on the kids before they go outside each day or before they go swimming.

Research the kind of sunscreen you have that will not sweat off and will help your child the most. Will he keep a floppy hat on that covers his ears and his neck? Look for one like this which has a tie under the chin so that it will stay on.

I hope it works okay where the kids are playing.

Dawn

Like SB and Jenny, the Y here wants only the spray sunscreen - they will apply that to the kids as they don't hav to do any of the rubbing of the stuff on! I have a can of that sitting on the cabinet to take there tomorrow!

Just pick a sun screen that's water and sweat proof and he'll be fine. Ensure that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Really he'll be fine. You are definitely being over protective.

We always applied at home before drop off and never had a problem.
Sunscreen just doesn't evaporate and it doesn't break down.
He might sweat some off or it might wash off if he gets very wet. but they have some sun screens that are sweat / water resistant.
And especially if you rub in some SPF 50, it's like he's almost in shade anyway - even if it's 4 hours after you put it on him.
You are over worrying about this.
He's going to be fine and have a lot of fun!

Are they in the sun, or a somewhat shaded play area? I have to say that unless we are swimming I would not likely re-apply sunscreen on my kids after four hours for a half hour outdoors.