On the second day of summer camp at Hi-Five Sports Camp, counselors are taking extra precautions in the extreme heat.
“We have a big, huge indoor facility we are rotating kids in and out of all day long. Making sure they’re not out in the sun too long,” said camp director Brad Greenspan.
“If a kid is looking really red in the face, or their energy seems lower than normal, or if they’re sweating a lot particularly, we have an athletic trainer here we can always go to,” Greenspan continued.
The camp has an extra large water cooler on hand, misters for cooling off and multiple tents set up for shade. There’s also a sunscreen station where campers can reapply.
“Tons of water,” said participant Gabe Price of how he’s handling the temperatures. “Sometimes I dump it on myself. Just tons of water.”
Hydration is key to avoiding heat exhaustion, according to local physician Kush Desai.
“Lethargy and fatigue, feeling nauseous, not feeling hungry, not even wanting to drink water can [all be] signs of getting close to heat exhaustion,” said Dr. Desai, who practices at Rush Oak Park Hospital.
