Health & Safety
Safety Comes First—Always
The Summer at Brooks Health & Wellness Center is central to our commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for every participant. Located in the heart of campus, the Health & Wellness Center is staffed by a registered nurse at all times and equipped to support campers who need care or a quick moment to rest and recharge.
Our medical team manages daily medication administration, provides first aid, and offers preventive care with professionalism and compassion. If additional medical attention is needed, families are contacted promptly, ensuring that every situation is handled with transparency and care.
We’re also proud to have Melissa Donais, RN, FNP-BC, serve as our Health Care Consultant. A board-certified family nurse practitioner, Melissa provides expert guidance and ongoing consultation to our staff, further strengthening the quality of care available on campus.
In every program and activity area, at least one counselor is certified in both first aid and CPR, ensuring that participants are always supported by trained, capable professionals.
At Summer at Brooks, safety isn’t an afterthought—it’s part of who we are.
Food Allergies
Healthy, inclusive dining is an important part of the Summer at Brooks experience. All lunches are prepared by the Brooks School Dining Team, known for high-quality, school-based food service that balances nutrition, variety, and care.
Our food services are managed by a professional with more than twenty years of experience in school nutrition and certifications in ServSafe, Allergy Awareness, CPR, and First Aid. This expertise ensures that every meal is prepared and served with safety and inclusion in mind.
While our campus is not entirely nut-free, we prioritize nut sensitivity and make every effort to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. Ingredient lists for snacks and meals are always available for families to review.
Campers may bring their own lunches or enjoy those provided by our dining team—lunch is included in tuition. Lunches brought from home are collected at drop-off and stored in a refrigerated area until lunchtime.
Families are encouraged to share any allergy or dietary information through registration forms or directly with our team. Whether through careful menu planning or personalized accommodations, your child’s health and safety are always our top priority.
Medications
Medication management at Summer at Brooks is guided by the same high standards of care that define every aspect of our programs. To support the safety and well-being of each child, all medications—prescription and over-the-counter—must be stored securely in our Health & Wellness Center and administered under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Medication Drop-Off Requirements:
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All medications must be in their original pharmacy-labeled containers
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A completed Medication Administration Form, signed by a parent or guardian, must accompany each medication
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EpiPens and inhalers may be carried by campers when medically appropriate and approved by the Health Services team
Medications should arrive in their original containers and be accompanied by a completed Medication Administration Form, signed by a parent or guardian. Inhalers and EpiPens may be carried by campers when medically appropriate and approved by the nursing team.
During registration, families receive detailed instructions on our medication policy and are encouraged to contact the Health & Wellness Center team to discuss any specific medical needs. Our goal is to make this process clear, supportive, and seamless—so every camper can participate with confidence.
Action Plans for Chronic Conditions:
If your child has a medical condition that requires ongoing support—such as diabetes, anaphylaxis (EpiPen use), or asthma (inhaler use)—a physician-approved individual action plan is required. These plans provide essential guidance to our medical staff and help ensure timely, accurate care in any situation.
You may upload your existing physician-provided action plan or use one of our approved templates:
Please ensure all documentation is up to date and submitted via the Parent Portal.
Required Medical Information
To ensure the health and safety of all participants, Summer at Brooks requires each child to have an up-to-date Physician’s Report and Immunization Record on file. These documents must be submitted via the Parent Portal within 14 days of registration in order for your child’s application to be considered complete.
Per Massachusetts state law, the Physician’s Report must reflect a physical exam conducted within 18 months prior to the start of the program. For full-season compliance, we require that exams be dated on or after February 15, 2025.
The submitted health form must:
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Be completed and signed by a licensed medical provider
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Include current immunization information
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Be written in English
Campers will not be permitted to attend without completed and approved medical documentation. Our Health Services team reviews all submissions on a rolling basis and will follow up with families as needed to ensure timely approval. Please allow adequate time for this review process.
Additional Notes:
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If your child is scheduled for a physical during the summer months, please inform our office in advance so we may note this on their profile.
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If your child has a documented history of chickenpox (varicella), this must be confirmed by a licensed provider in lieu of immunization.
For your reference, below are links to the current Massachusetts immunization requirements:
We appreciate your attention to this important step in keeping our camp community healthy and safe.
Staff Training
Our greatest strength is our people. Each member of the Summer at Brooks team is carefully selected for their professionalism, integrity, and genuine enthusiasm for working with children.
The majority of our staff are educators or pursuing careers in education, bringing a strong foundation in youth development, mentorship, and communication. Team members under eighteen are graduates of our Leaders-in-Training Program, ensuring that even our youngest staff have meaningful leadership experience before joining the team.
Every summer begins with a week-long, in-person training that covers everything from safety procedures and program design to camper care and community building. Throughout the season, regular meetings and ongoing professional development sessions help staff stay connected, informed, and supported.
In addition to our Health Center team, all activity staff are trained in first aid and hold CPR certification. Our pool and waterfront lifeguards are certified in Water Safety Instruction and Small Craft Safety, maintaining constant vigilance to ensure participants’ well-being.
Emergency preparedness is woven into every part of campus life. Our nursing team has access to a dedicated medical cart, and essential life-saving equipment—including AEDs, EpiPens, first-aid kits, and emergency phones—is available across campus.
Supervised by a robust leadership team of experienced educators and administrators, every program operates with clear communication, accountability, and care—so families can feel confident that their children are in capable, compassionate hands.
Meet Our Staff
