Is it permissible to give children over-the-counter medication if they get sick in our care?

The best practice when it comes to administering over-the-counter medication to children in a camp setting involves strict adherence to health and safety protocols. Giving children medication, even over-the-counter types, typically requires explicit parental consent due to the potential risks involved, such as allergic reactions, side effects, and interactions with other medications.

When a child is in care, the authority to administer medication is usually limited to circumstances where there has been clear communication and permission from the child's parent or guardian. This ensures that parents are aware of what their child is taking, as well as having provided the necessary medical history that could affect the child’s health.

In many camp policies, the standard guideline is to avoid administering any sort of medication unless there is consent from the child's parents or guardians. This protects both the child’s well-being and the camp staff from legal and ethical dilemmas. Thus, the policy of not allowing camp staff to give over-the-counter medications without parental consent is prudent and prioritizes the safety of the children.