Darby Sheehan RN Camp Nurse
As part of the WINNICAMPS Team, my mission as the Resident Registered Camp Nurse is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of every camper—24 hours a day, every day camp is in session.
I couldn’t be more excited to be your Camp Nurse this August at both WINNIPESAUKEE BOYS LACROSSE CAMP and WINNIHOCKEY CAMP weeks! I bring not only my experience but also my passion for working with kids, my deep love for the energy and camaraderie of camp life, and my strong appreciation for athletics and the outdoors—especially hockey and lacrosse.
I earned my nursing degree from Regis College and have spent the past several years specializing in pediatric care. I enjoy this role as it provides public school-based nursing opportunities, where I am able to connect with kids and school communities while providing direct medical care and emotional support to students, including those with specialized needs. Over the last five years, I’ve worked as a private duty pediatric nurse, providing dedicated, individualized care to children. Additionally, for the past two years, I have worked at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Milton, where I continue to expand my expertise in acute care settings. My work allows me to build meaningful relationships with children and families, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need in both medical and emotional capacities.
My passion for working with children is what drew me to camp nursing—a unique and fulfilling way to extend my expertise into my summers while immersing myself in the joy, excitement, and adventure of camp life. I love staying active and grew up playing soccer, hockey, and lacrosse—sports that have shaped my understanding of teamwork, resilience, and the importance of overall well-being. My ability to connect with others and provide compassionate care is at the core of who I am as a nurse, and I’m thrilled to bring that energy to both the mainland WINNIHOCKEY session and the island WINNILAX BOYS CAMP session this summer!
Being a Resident Camp Nurse isn’t just a summer role for me—it’s something I truly love doing, and being an important part of the WINNICAMPS Team is an absolute highlight of the summer. While my primary responsibility is providing medical care and support, I also make it a priority to be actively involved in all aspects of camp life. From cheering on campers during games and competitions to participating in evening activities and being present at every meal in the dining hall, I am fully immersed in the camp experience. This allows me to be completely in tune with our campers’ medical and emotional needs and ready at a moment’s notice.
I’ll live directly in the island and mainland infirmary cabins throughout both camp sessions, which serve as our hub for care. My medical cabinet, securely locked, stores prescription medications, and we maintain a fully stocked inventory of responsive and preventative care supplies. In addition, we have multiple first-aid stations, ice packs, common over-the-counter medications, and a series of operational safety protocols that our staff are fully trained in. Most importantly, I am committed to ensuring that every camper feels safe, supported, and ready to have the best overnight camp experience ever!
At camp, I’m more than just a nurse—I’m a source of encouragement and support, making sure campers feel comfortable, confident, and empowered throughout their experience. Whether it’s:
✔ Quality Daily Nursing Tasks—Providing first aid, preventive care, and hydration reminders. These are generally the common themes, along with supporting prescribed medical, dietary, and emotional needs.
✔ Managing Medications—WINNICAMPS follows all HIPAA guidelines fully, and we work hard to create private and supportive medication administrations, handling incidental needs with the utmost care.
✔ Supporting Dietary Needs—If specified, we offer alternative specialized/gluten-free meal options to campers, as well as a customized meal prep opportunity for families to send both refrigerated and dry food items to support dietary needs. Along with our entire staff team, the Directors and I are sure to quietly check in and ensure every camper is eating and hydrating properly. Which isn't a problem as our menu are delicious and summer after summer receive our campers seal of approval!
✔ Responding to Sports-Related Injuries—We are ready at a moment’s notice to provide responsive and preventative care and are fully prepared to immediately respond, assess, and ensure our participants are accompanied to professional care at Tilton Medical Center.
✔ Family Communication—This is a top priority when it comes to medical care or emotional needs. The Directors and I will connect with families directly as needed, provide follow-ups, and be available for closing briefings on the final day before the closing ceremony. Additionally, I will be stationed at my nursing table on departure day to facilitate the return of any medications or dietary items directly to families.
✔ Supporting Homesickness & Emotional Needs—Another part of my role is helping campers—especially our younger ones—transition into being away from home for their first overnight camp experience. At WINNICAMPS, we proactively address homesickness by empowering campers to work through their feelings with the support of our experienced staff. As the Camp Nurse, alongside our Camp Mom Director, we take the lead in providing care, with active involvement from our cabin counselors and coaches, ensuring campers receive support before determining the necessity of a call home.
Our proven methods help campers acclimate within the first few days, and delaying a call home (which can sometimes heighten emotions) often aids in their adjustment, allowing them to process their feelings in a healthy and constructive way. With over a decade of experience across multiple summer camp weeks, we have found that, in nearly all cases, our thoughtful and holistic approach to homesickness enables campers to regulate their initial emotions with our support—soon transitioning fully into enjoying the camp experience and often forgetting they ever felt homesick.
In fact, research shows that attending a week of overnight camp enhances children's self-esteem, independence, leadership, friendship skills, social comfort, and decision-making abilities. These experiences also lead to improved participation in organized activities and school settings. The resulting life skill development fosters greater self-confidence and long-term success in major life events, such as attending college, traveling with sports teams, playing collegiate athletics, studying abroad, and confidently transitioning to independent living as adults. 👉 Check Out the Harvard Graduate School of Education Study.
I take pride in being proactive, prepared, and communicative, ensuring that all medical and dietary needs are handled with care, respect, and attention to detail. You’ll find me at every meal, checking in throughout the day, cheering on the games, and participating in evening activities—all while staying fully accessible in the infirmary to respond immediately if needed, day or night. From helping with homesickness to treating minor injuries and ensuring campers stay hydrated and feeling their best, my ultimate goal is simple : To ensure that every camper has an incredible, carefree, and unforgettable camp experience!
As families submit their required Camper Medical Form, included in the Reservation Confirmation Email after full payment has been received and processed : We are actively documenting and planning ahead for each and every camper. In the weeks leading up to camp, the Directors and I carefully review all submitted medical information, along with any additional direct emailed communication regarding specific camper needs, to ensure we are fully prepared to support all our participants. If there are any medical updates, dietary requirements, or prescription orders, please submit them as soon as possible via email along with an updated Medical Form for our records so that we can finalize everything before check-in.
We strive to have everything in place before arrival so that we can fully support your camper from the moment they begin their mainland camp experience or step onto the island, right through the closing ceremony.
August can’t come soon enough! I can’t wait to welcome our campers, connect with families, and help make this summer at WINNIHOCKEY and WINNIPESAUKEE BOYS LACROSSE CAMP absolutely unforgettable for your children. On arrival day, you’ll find me at my check-in table, ready to assist with any final medical preparations, securely receive medications for administration, and ensure that every camper receives the highest level of attentive, compassionate care throughout their incredible time with us!
Looking forward to an unforgettable overnight camp experience together this summer & welcome to your WINNICAMP Tradition(s)!
Until then… All the very best!
Darby Sheehan, RN
Resident Camp Nurse | WINNICAMPS
