my son is in cub scouts. We got some registration forms for camps this summer, and one of them is a health form which includes request for vaccine records.

I explained to the leader that our beliefs do not allow vaccines, and do not allow the vast majority of medical care. She spoke with the cubmaster, and his words were, "he cant go to camp without a complete medical form, that is signed."

the exact wording of the emergency consent is what I have the problem with.
It states:
"In case of emergency, I understand every effort will be made to contact me. In the event that I cannot be reached, I herby give my permission to the physician selected by the adult leader in charge to secure proper treatment, which may include hospitalization, anesthesia, surgery, or injections of medication for my son"

I cannot with a clear conscience sign this form. I also worry that a religious exemption will not work and my son will not be allowed to go to camp.

Anyone been there done that? Any advice?

thanks

The exemption would be submitted in lieu of the vaccination record, so that's not a problem. Don't even bother wasting your time explaining exemption statutes with the leader or discussing it further with him, they don't know. You'll have no problems with your exemption. All they care about is being in compliance with public health law.

As far as the emergency care wording if they can't reach you or DH - if you are worried about vaccines, I would add at the end: with the exception of immunizing agents.

I've done this several times for football and football camp. I wouldn't be too concerned about it because I'm sure they would be able to reach either you or DH in the event of an emergency. Do you both have cell phones with voicemail?

By the way, was that really a "request" or did the form say immunizations were required by NE law?

It looks like day camps are not required to maintain immunization records in Nebraska, which is not uncommon. In that case, don't submit an exemption.

From the Nebraska childcare regulations:

Program shall mean the provision of services in lieu of parental supervision for children under thirteen years of age for compensation, either directly or indirectly, on the average of less than twelve hours per day, but more than two hours per week, and shall include any employer-sponsored child care, family child care home, child care center, school-age child care program, school-age services pursuant to section 79-444, or preschool or nursery school. Program shall not include casual care at irregular intervals, a recreation camp, classes or services provided by a religious organization other than child care or a preschool or nursery school, a preschool program conducted in a school approved pursuant to section 79-328, or foster care as defined in section 71-1901. The State Board of Education may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations which shall apply to any program and any school-age care program operated or contracted by a public school district.

Definition of recreation camp:

Recreation Camp: Programs or services that are recreational, social, or instructional and that are provided on a time-limited or irregular schedule and are not for the purpose of providing child care services.

http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/docs/pilot/pubs/center_regulations.pdf

form just says "give date of last innoculation" then lists tetanus, polio, etc....

I think I am going to type up an addendum to the consent, saying that the consent is not valid without the addendum.

hopefully that will do it, or words like "attorney" "religious discrimination suit" will start flying :D

thanks LI

form just says "give date of last innoculation" then lists tetanus, polio, etc....


I would just write in that section: "Immunization history is not required under Nebraska law."

I did this for my son's nursery program, which listed lead screening on the state medical form. I put a line through it and wrote: "Not required under NY law."