Sun-smart safety tips: avoiding the burn.

Skin cancer is increasing faster than any other form of cancer. More than one million cases will occur in the United States this year. However, sunburns and skin cancer can be prevented. By using sunscreen and avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours, you can reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that children receive about 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of eighteen. To protect your campers, include sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 on your packing list. Sunscreen should be applied daily, even on cloudy days, at least twenty minutes before going outdoors and reapplied every two hours. Also, teach campers the shadow rule: seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you are tall.

Dr. Susan Boiko, a pediatric dermatology consultant, has developed plays, songs, parent and staff information letters, and activity ideas that build knowledge of sun protection at camp. Here, she shares seven strategies for reducing the risk of developing skin cancer.

Super Strategies for a Safe and Sunny Summer Season

Write a letter

Dear Staff Parents, and Campers,

Here comes an exciting camp season. We're looking forward to sailing, horseback riding, and 'roasting marshmallows. Carefully pack every sock and T-shirt. You'll notice that your duffel has a tiny bit more room. Is there something you've forgotten? Yes, sun protection.

But at camp, sometimes you're only out in the sun for an hour at a time or it's raining. Besides, isn't a little bit of tan healthy? No! American children and teens face a one in five risk of developing skin cancer, not to mention acne flares and tender, peeling red skin. One severe sunburn before age eighteen doubles a child's risk of getting a deadly melanoma skin cancer.

Sunburns and skin cancer are painful but easily prevented. Camp will be prepared with new ways to keep your skin healthy this summer. Start today and get in the groove for camp. Make wearing protective clothing, seeking shade in the peak burning hours (10 A.M. tO 4 P.M.), and the application of sunscreen part of your daily health habits. It's just as important as brushing your teeth.

In Australia, where one in three adults develops skin cancer, there is an outdoor "No hat, No play" rule. You need a broad-brimmed hat for camp; are you the floppy fisherman or the Crocodile Dundee hat type? You'll also need sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) rays. We'll be taking regular' "shade breaks," and activities that can take place in shade will be done there.

Please help me ban the burn this summer!

Camp Director

Inventory shade spots at camp

Know where naturally occurring shade is located. Can you add extra shade via huge umbrellas at the waterfront or a tarp lashed from branch to branch, or can you purchase a cabana? What happens to your shade areas as the sun moves throughout the day?

Schedule as many activities in the shade as possible

Check your program; are activities scheduled for shady spots? Can activity times be adjusted to avoid peak sun times for those activities that must happen in sunlight? The hottest part of the day may be from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. Shade and plenty of fluids are essential by this time.

Tell campers and staff

Add a weather report to camp announcements. Report the area's UV index. Remind people to use sunscreen. Repeat the message in as many ways as possible. Get campers involved.

Notice the "Shining Examples"

Campers and staff who consistently follow sun-safety practices deserve special note. Ice-cold Popsicles, a camp hat, or a bottle produced at arts and crafts and labeled "SPF 1000" may make just the memento for those people who win the "Most Pale, Least Tanned" award.

Invite a "shady character" to camp

A local dermatologist or television weather personality may welcome the chance to visit camp and share the sun-safety message. Maybe this person can present awards to the shining examples.

Post creative signs

Place a sign by the pool or at the waterfront saying: "No Tanning Zone - Violators Will Be Fried!" When you send a letter to parents, include a paragraph that explains why you don't want campers to come home with a tan this summer.

Adapted from "Seven Super Strategies for a Safe and Sunny Summer Season" by Susan Boiko, M.D., ACN CompassPoint, Spring 1997.

UV Index

Developed by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, the UV Index provides information to help plan outdoor activities and avoid overexposure to the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. The amount of uv radiation reaching the ground depends on many factors, including the time of year, the altitude and latitude of a location, and cloud cover. The National Weather Service considers these factors when determining the UV Index.

The UV Index gives the next day's amount of exposure to UV rays. it predicts exposure levels on a 0 to 10+ scale. Zero indicates a low risk of overexposure, and 10+ indicates a very high risk of overexposure. When the index is high (7-9) or very high (10+), try to minimize outdoor activities during the peak hours of 10 A.M. to 4 PM.

U Index Exposure Levels

0-2 Minimal 3-4 Low 5-6 Moderate 7-9 High 10+ Very High

RELATED ARTICLE: Sun Behavior Benchmarks

Don you want to know how effective your UV risk reduction plan is? Here are some ideas to measure effectiveness. Keep in mind that they may need adaptation to compliment your program.

* Measure or weigh the amount of sunscreen left in the bottle each week. Particularly target the sunscreen of the staff wo are supposed to be using it.

* Count the number of hats - effective ones! - on campers' and staff's heads at the waterfront or pool.

* From last year's health records, count the number of sunburns that were reported. Beat that number this season. Better yet, go for a "zero burn" year!

- SB