The state of New York maintains strict regulations regarding the administration of medication to minors. Any participant who is under age 18 at the time of their La Vida Expedition is considered a minor and must have authorization in writing from their doctor for any medication they might need while participating in a La Vida program. This applies to both standard prescription medications and any prescribed over-the-counter types of medication (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, etc.). La Vida instructors can only administer prescribed medications to minors during their participation on a La Vida program; they are not authorized to administer any non-prescription medications to minors.
Any minor who will need to take any prescribed medication during La Vida activities is required to have their doctor complete and sign an Authorization for Administration of Medications at Camp, detailing what medications they will need, the purpose for which they are authorized to take those medications, and what the dosages should be. All medications must be stored in their original containers and will need to be turned in to the La Vida instructors at the onset of the program, along with any permission authorizations. La Vida instructors will carry all participant medications in a designated first aid kit and dispense them according to the accompanying physician’s instructions as noted on the Authorization for Administration of Medications at Camp.