Camp Staff Lice Protocol – SimplicetyAtHome.com
Summer Camp Toolkit → Camp Staff Protocol
For Camp Staff

Camp Staff Lice Protocol

A complete reference for camp nurses, counselors, and directors. Pete the Lice Guy — 14,000+ cases treated, zero harmful chemicals — provides this guide and is available for in-person staff training visits.

14K+
Cases Treatedby Pete since 2011
Zero
Harmful Chemicalsin Pete's approach
13+
Years Experiencehands-on cases
1
Free Treatment Visitfor partner camps
Staff Procedure

Lice Check-In and Case Protocol

Follow these four steps from arrival day through clearance. Every action is documented, confidential, and guided by Pete's field-tested approach.

📋

Staff Role: Identify, Document, Notify, and Refer

Camp staff should not attempt treatment. Your job is to screen accurately, communicate clearly with parents, and refer to a professional. Pete's team handles the rest.

1

Arrival Day Screening

Screen all incoming campers before cabin assignment. Use Pete's 60-second rapid screen — a targeted visual check at the nape of the neck, behind the ears, and along the hairline. Any camper flagged receives a full comb-through before proceeding.

  • Use good lighting and the Terminator Comb on damp hair
  • Nits are dark (yellowish to brown), NOT white. Look for dark oval specks on the hair shaft
  • Document all results in your health log
2

Confirmed Case — Same Day

If a full check confirms lice or nits: notify parents immediately using the email templates below. Keep the camper comfortable and screen cabin-mates, prioritizing bunk-mates. Do not announce the case to the wider camp.

Important: Camp staff should not attempt treatment. The role is to identify, document, notify, and refer. Treatment is the parent's or a professional's responsibility.
3

While the Camper Is Away for Treatment

  • Wash the camper's pillowcase in hot water before their return
  • No deep-cleaning is needed. Lice die within 24 to 48 hours off the scalp
  • Instruct cabin-mates not to use the absent camper's personal items
4

Clearance Check and Return

Perform a full comb-through clearance check before the camper re-joins their cabin. Document the date and result. Schedule a day-7 follow-up check as standard practice.

Get Pete for Your Camp

Pete offers in-person staff training visits and 1 free treatment visit for partner organizations.

Call 877-414-6487

Camp Partnership

Get a branded toolkit page for your camp — one link, one QR code, all families covered.

See Camp Ernst Example

Quick Reference

  • Screen all campers on arrival day
  • Full check if screen flags concern
  • Nits are dark, not white
  • Notify parents same day
  • Do not treat — identify and refer
  • Clearance check before return
  • Day-7 follow-up recheck
  • Document everything
Clearance Criteria

Return-to-Camp Policy

Use these criteria consistently across all clearance checks. When in doubt, contact Pete for a professional assessment before allowing the camper to return.

✓ Cleared to Return — All Must Be True
  • Complete treatment performed — all live lice and nits manually removed
  • Clearance comb-through by camp nurse finds no live lice
  • No viable nits within half an inch of the scalp — empty casings further out are acceptable
  • Parent confirms treatment date and method
✕ Not Yet Cleared — Hold Until Resolved
  • Live lice still present on clearance check
  • Viable nits found within half an inch of the scalp
  • Chemical shampoo used only — nits were not manually removed
  • Parent has not yet been contacted or confirmed treatment
Parent Communication

Copy-Paste Email Templates

Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending. Click Copy Template to copy the full text to your clipboard.

Subject: Head Lice Awareness — What to Do Before Drop-Off To: All Camp Families
Dear [Parent/Guardian Name], As we prepare for the upcoming season, we ask all families to check their child's hair within 48 hours of arrival. Nits are dark (yellowish to brown), NOT white. Use a metal nit comb in good lighting, focusing on the nape of neck and behind the ears. If you find anything, please do not send your child to camp until treated and cleared. Complete checking guide: [Camp Toolkit URL] Questions? [Camp Health Phone] [Staff Name] [Camp Name] Health Team

Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending.

Subject: Health Update — Action Required for [Camper Name]
Dear [Parent/Guardian Name], During a routine health check on [date], our health staff identified evidence of head lice on [Camper Name]. Please know that this is a common occurrence, handled with complete confidentiality. Next steps: 1. Arrange pickup or home treatment as soon as possible 2. On return, check in with our nurse for a clearance check before re-joining the cabin 3. Let us know the treatment date so we can schedule follow-up Treatment guide: simplicetyathome.com/ask-the-expert/found-lice-before-camp/ [Camper Name] is comfortable and being well looked after. [Staff Name], [Camp Name] Health Team [Phone]

Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending.

Subject: Return to Camp — Clearance Info for [Camper Name]
Dear [Parent/Guardian Name], Thank you for acting promptly. We look forward to welcoming [Camper Name] back. Before return: 1. Confirm treatment is complete — all live lice AND nits manually removed (chemical shampoo alone is not sufficient) 2. Check in at [Health Office Location] before the cabin. Our nurse will do a brief clearance check. 3. We will perform a day-7 follow-up check on [date] as standard practice. Questions: [Camp Health Phone] [Staff Name], [Camp Name] Health Team

Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending.

Subject: 7-Day Follow-Up Check — [Camper Name]
Dear [Parent/Guardian Name], As part of our standard protocol, we completed a day-7 recheck on [Camper Name] on [recheck date]. [IF CLEAR:] Good news — the check came back clear. No live lice or nits found. Case is resolved. [IF SOMETHING FOUND:] During today's check, we found [describe finding]. Please arrange a follow-up treatment as soon as possible and contact us at [phone] to discuss next steps. Thank you for your cooperation throughout this process. [Staff Name], [Camp Name] Health Team

Replace all [bracketed fields] before sending.

✓
14,000+ Cases Treated
✓
Zero Harmful Chemicals
✓
13+ Years Experience
✓
Staff Training Available
✓
1 Free Treatment Visit