School, Sports & Camp Physicals

Whether your child is beginning a new school year, joining a team, or heading to camp, a physical helps confirm that they are ready to participate safely. We complete school, sports, and camp physicals for children and adolescents, along with the required forms.

The visit includes a review of medical history, medications, allergies, past injuries, and family health concerns. Your provider will measure height, weight, and vital signs; evaluate the heart, lungs, joints, strength, and flexibility; and discuss activity-related concerns. If follow-up is needed before clearance, we will explain the next steps so your family can plan accordingly.

Services:

    School & Camp Forms

    Sports Clearance

    Heart Screenings

    Pre-Participation Exams

REQUIRED CHILD PHYSICALS

Ensure Your Child Is Ready for School, Sports, and Camp Each & Every Year

A school, sports, or camp physical evaluates overall health and readiness for participation. We review medical history, perform an age-appropriate exam, address concerns, and complete the necessary forms.

Thorough physical exams assess overall health, ensure readiness for activities, and meet school, sports, and camp participation requirements.

School, sports, and camp physicals help determine whether your child is healthy and prepared to participate safely. In addition to meeting program requirements, these appointments allow your provider to review your child’s overall health, physical development, and any concerns that could affect participation.

Physicals are often required each year for school enrollment, organized athletics, and camp programs, particularly for school-age children and adolescents.

A physical exam typically includes:

  • Review of medical history, medications, and injury history
  • Height, weight, and vital sign measurements
  • Musculoskeletal and general physical evaluation
  • Heart health screening

Your provider can also discuss physical activity, injury prevention, and any health conditions that may require monitoring or accommodations before your child begins an activity.

Looking for a pediatrician you can trust with your child's care?

SouthernMED Pediatrics welcomes new patients from birth through age 18. Our providers partner with families through every stage, offering preventive guidance, timely treatment, and personalized attention.

Components of School, Sports, and Camp Physicals

School, sports, and camp physicals combine a careful medical-history review with an examination focused on overall health and activity readiness. We also discuss injury prevention and complete required school, sports, or camp forms.

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What to Expect

Assessment

Your child’s physical begins with a review of medical conditions, medications, allergies, previous injuries, family heart history, and any symptoms that occur during activity. This background helps your pediatric provider evaluate your child’s readiness for school, sports, or camp participation.

What to Expect

Comprehensive Physical Examination

Your child’s pediatric care team will assess overall health and activity readiness, including the heart, lungs, joints, strength, flexibility, and other age-appropriate areas. The exam may identify concerns that should be addressed before participation.

What to Expect

Clearance and Form Completion

After reviewing the findings, your child’s provider will complete the required forms and explain whether they are cleared to participate. If a concern requires treatment, testing, or specialist evaluation first, we will outline the next steps and any temporary restrictions.

School, Sports & Camp Physicals FAQs

Parenthood comes with plenty of questions. Our pediatric care team is here to provide clear answers and practical guidance to help you make confident decisions about your child’s care.

  • How often does my child need a physical? School, Sports, & Camp Physicals

    Most children should receive a physical exam once a year. Schools, sports programs, and camps often require an annual physical to confirm that a child can participate safely. Even when an exam is not required, yearly pediatric checkups help monitor your child’s growth, development, and overall health.

  • What if my child has a medical condition? School, Sports, & Camp Physicals

    If your child has an existing medical condition, our pediatric care team will review their health history, current symptoms, and overall health during the school, sports, or camp physical. The provider will determine whether your child can participate safely and discuss any necessary precautions or restrictions. Additional testing, evaluation, or follow-up care may be required before medical clearance is provided.

  • What happens if my child is not cleared? School, Sports, & Camp Physicals

    If your child is not cleared during their school, sports, or camp physical, the provider has identified a health concern that requires further evaluation before they can participate safely. Our pediatric team will explain the findings and recommend next steps, which may include testing, treatment, or a follow-up appointment. Once the concern has been addressed, your child can return for another evaluation and possible medical clearance.

  • Can a school, sports, or camp physical be completed if my child is sick? Appointments & Scheduling

    Your child should be feeling well on the day of their school, sports, or camp physical. Symptoms such as fever or fatigue may affect the examination and prevent the provider from accurately clearing them for participation. If your child is sick, the physical may need to be rescheduled after they have recovered.

Comprehensive pediatric services for every stage of childhood.

Well Visits & Preventive Care

Wellness visits provide an important opportunity to follow your child’s health and development throughout every stage of growth. During these routine appointments, our pediatric providers focus on preventive health and age-appropriate needs. Each visit helps us:

  • Track physical growth
  • Assess developmental progress
  • Promote healthy habits and long-term wellness

Sick Visits

Sick visits provide timely attention when your child develops symptoms that need to be evaluated by a pediatric provider. These appointments can help identify the cause and determine the appropriate next steps for concerns such as:

  • Fever
  • Cough or congestion
  • Ear pain
  • Sore throat
  • Stomach or digestive concerns

Counseling & Behavioral Health

A counseling and behavioral healthcare visit allows our team to carefully evaluate you and provide the support you deserve. Each visit is designed to understand underlying concerns, build healthy coping skills, and help you grow with confidence and resilience. Our counseling services include:

  • Behavioral parent training
  • Social skills training
  • Behavioral intervention plans
  • Anxiety, depression, and ADHD treatment services

Telehealth

Telehealth visits offer families a convenient way to connect with a SouthernMED Pediatrics provider from home for certain non-emergency concerns. During the virtual appointment, we’ll review your child’s symptoms, provide recommendations, and determine whether an in-person visit is needed. Telehealth may be appropriate for:

  • Colds and coughs
  • Rashes and allergies
  • Pink eye
  • Minor stomach concerns

Immunizations & Vaccines

When your child is due for vaccines, an immunization appointment allows our pediatric care team to review their health and provide the protection they need. Each visit is designed to follow recommended schedules, ensure vaccines are given safely, and support your child’s long-term health and well-being.

  • Vaccine education and guidance
  • Alternative and catch-up scheduling
  • Answers to your vaccine questions
  • Safe, age-appropriate administration

Lactation Consultation & Support

Lactation consultations offer dedicated time to discuss your feeding experience and address concerns for both you and your baby. Each appointment is tailored to your family’s needs and may include:

  • Reviewing feeding patterns, routines, and concerns
  • Observing latch, positioning, and milk transfer
  • Recommending practical adjustments to improve comfort and feeding progress

Other Specialty Services

Specialty services give families access to focused pediatric attention for needs that may extend beyond routine visits. Our pediatric providers take time to assess your child’s specific concerns, explain available options, and develop practical next steps based on their health and development.