Keep Your Camper Lice-Free
A simple parent guide for checking before camp, knowing what to look for, and helping your child arrive ready for a comfortable, uninterrupted camp experience.
A Few Minutes Before Drop-Off Can Protect the Whole Camp Community
Head lice spreads through direct head-to-head contact. At camp, children spend long periods of time together, so it can spread quickly if it is not caught early.
In most cases, a child can have head lice for roughly two to four weeks before anyone notices it. Many children never complain about symptoms at all. Approximately 50% of people with head lice show little to no signs of infestation, so waiting for itching, scratching, or a rash is not reliable.
That is why families are encouraged to perform a proper comb-based head check before camp. A pre-camp check helps protect your child and the entire camp community. It can also prevent the stress and embarrassment of having your child pulled aside during camp check-in if lice is discovered.
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Call Pete the Lice Guy directly. We can walk you through it over the phone and help you decide the best next step.
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About Camp Kern
Interested in camp programs, registration, or family resources? Visit Camp Kern directly for official camp information.
Learn More About Camp KernA Little Awareness Goes a Long Way
There is no need to panic or treat lice like it is the plague. These simple habits and packing reminders can help before your camper arrives.
Secure Long Hair
Keep long hair secured in braids, buns, or high ponytails whenever possible. As Pete the Lice Guy says at the Simplicety Salon: "Buns or Bugs."
Teach Smart Contact Habits
Teach your child to avoid unnecessary head-to-head contact during activities, group huddles, movie time, and selfies.
Pack Personal Hair Items
Pack a personal brush, comb, and plenty of hair ties for your child. Remind your child not to share brushes, combs, hats, hair accessories, or other personal items with cabin mates.
What Parents Should Look For
- Dark yellowish eggs, called nits, firmly attached to the hair shaft near the scalp. These do not slide off the hair like dandruff.
- Tiny moving insects approximately the size of a sesame seed. They may appear tan, gray, or dark in color.
- Persistent itching, especially around the nape of the neck and behind the ears.
Remember, many children with lice do not itch. A proper comb-based check is always the most reliable method.
Use a Quality Lice Comb, Not Just Your Eyes
The proper way to check for head lice is with a quality lice comb. Pete the Lice Guy recommends the Nit-Free Terminator Comb.
Comb-Based Check Steps
- Place the comb firmly against the scalp.
- Work from front to back using overlapping swipes.
- Pay close attention to the crown, temples, and nape of the neck.
- After several combing strokes, wipe the comb onto a white paper towel so you can clearly see what comes out of the hair.
What You're Looking For
- Dark yellowish eggs near the scalp
- Tiny moving insects about sesame-seed size
- Tan, gray, or dark-colored lice
- Itching around the nape or behind the ears
- Remember: not every child with lice will itch
Do Not Panic — Use the Full Action Plan
Finding lice before camp can feel overwhelming, but it is completely treatable. The most important thing is to act quickly and follow the right process.
Short Parent Guidance
Simplicety At Home has a detailed, step-by-step action plan that walks parents through exactly what to do if lice is found before camp. The full guide covers treatment options, proper removal techniques, follow-up checks, and what information should be communicated to the camp.
After a complete treatment and a successful follow-up check, your child can still attend camp and enjoy the full camp experience.
View Full Action PlanFull Action Plan
Use the master action plan for the complete step-by-step guide if lice is found before camp.
Open Action Plan
Interested in joining Camp Kern?
Learn more about YMCA Camp Kern programs, registration, family resources, and year-round camp opportunities through the official Camp Kern website.
Professional Guidance and At-Home Support for Camp Kern Families
Choose the support option that fits your family best.
Get support from Simplicety's professional head lice service for accurate checking, lice and nit removal, and follow-up guidance.
View ServicesShop the at-home treatment kit and tools Pete recommends for families who need clear, practical support at home.
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