In June, five Goodwin College Nursing 210 students (Michelle Bonaparte, Marina Fanciullo, Victoria Iacolino, and Sharon Kyc, Kim Salerno) joined instructor Robin Cournoyer in a pilot pediatric clinical experience at Easterseals Camp Hemlocks, a program of Oak Hill, a private provider of services to people with disabilities. Oak Hill and its affiliates have over 1,700 trained professionals who serve 152 program sites in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. Located in Amston, Connecticut, Camp Hemlocks is a residential summer camp for youth and adults with developmental, intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities, including visual impairments. The camp offers adapted recreational activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and archery.

The Goodwin nursing students assisted camp nurses on registration day by welcoming campers; checking vitals; interviewing families about health issues, recent illnesses, and allergies; and reviewing physicals and medication forms. Throughout the week, they assisted with medication administration; performed focused assessments on the campers; and provided routine and emergency care as needed. Using posters, coloring pages, and songs as interactive tools, the student nurses created health and safety presentations that were developmentally appropriate, educational, and engaging. The topics included sun safety and protection, poison ivy, hydration, nutritional eating, and mindfulness/yoga.

The Goodwin students gained valuable experience from their time at the camp, both educationally and personally. They feel that the pilot program was a great success and extend their gratitude to Easterseals Camp Hemlocks and to Oak Hill.

For more information on Nursing programs at Goodwin College, go to www.goodwin.edu/nursing.