If your child is eager to join a team, head to overnight camp, or start a new school year, you may need a physical exam form signed before they can participate. Holly Springs Pediatrics offers sports, camp, and school physicals for infants, children, and adolescents through age 22, and our providers are here to make the process straightforward and reassuring.

The Short Answer

A sports, camp, or school physical is a focused preventive exam that checks your child’s overall health, growth, development, and fitness for participation in athletics or group activities. These exams help identify any conditions that might need attention or accommodation, ensure immunizations are up to date, and give you and your child a chance to ask questions. Many schools, sports leagues, and camps require a completed physical form before your child can participate, and our providers at Holly Springs Pediatrics can complete these evaluations during a scheduled visit.

Who Needs a Sports, Camp, or School Physical

Most organized sports programs, summer camps, and many schools require a physical exam within the past 12 months. The specific timing and form requirements vary by organization, so it is always a good idea to check with your child’s school, league, or camp ahead of time. Even if a physical is not strictly required, these visits can be a helpful checkpoint for any child or adolescent who is becoming more active or entering a new phase of development.

Holly Springs Pediatrics welcomes families from Holly Springs, Apex, Cary, New Hill, Fuquay Varina, Morrisville, and the surrounding areas for these exams.

What the Exam Covers

A sports or camp physical is not the same as a comprehensive well-child checkup, though the two exams do overlap. During a sports or camp physical, our providers typically review your child’s medical history, perform a focused physical examination, and complete any required forms. Here is what you can generally expect:

Medical History Review

Your provider will ask about any past injuries, surgeries, hospitalizations, or ongoing health conditions. They will also ask about any medications your child takes, allergies, and family history of heart problems, sudden death in young relatives, or other conditions that can affect physical activity. For adolescents, questions may also touch on menstrual history (if applicable), mental health, and substance use, all in a confidential and non-judgmental setting.

Physical Examination

The exam usually includes measuring height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse. Your provider will listen to your child’s heart and lungs, check vision, examine joints and spine for flexibility and alignment, and assess overall strength and coordination. For school physicals, the exam may be even more comprehensive and align closely with a well-child visit.

Developmental and Behavioral Screening

Depending on your child’s age, our providers may ask about school performance, sleep, nutrition, mood, and peer relationships. These conversations help identify any concerns that might benefit from support or follow-up care.

Immunization Review

Many camps and schools require proof that your child is up to date on vaccines. Our team can review your child’s immunization record and provide any needed vaccines during the visit. The CDC publishes recommended immunization schedules by age, and our providers follow these guidelines closely.

What to Bring to the Appointment

To make the visit as efficient as possible, please bring the following:

• The physical form provided by your child’s school, camp, or sports organization (if you have one).
• Your child’s immunization record or vaccine card.
• A list of any medications or supplements your child takes.
• Any medical records from specialists or recent hospitalizations, if applicable.
• Eyeglasses or contacts, if your child wears them.
• A list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss.

If you do not yet have the required form, let our front desk know when you schedule the visit, and we can often use a standard physical form and adapt it as needed.

What’s Normal for Their Age

Physical exams look different depending on your child’s age and stage of development. For younger children and preschoolers, the focus is often on growth, motor skills, and ensuring they are healthy enough for group play and activities. School-age children may be evaluated for posture, joint flexibility, and coordination as they take on more structured sports. Adolescents undergo more detailed cardiovascular and musculoskeletal screening, and conversations about mental health, sleep, nutrition, and safe training practices become more prominent.

It is completely normal for your teen to feel self-conscious during the exam. Our providers work to make the experience comfortable and respectful, and they will explain each step as they go.

When to Schedule a Sports or Camp Physical

We recommend scheduling the exam at least a few weeks before the form is due. This gives you time to address any findings, obtain follow-up care if needed, and complete any required immunizations without last-minute stress. If your child is due for a well-child checkup around the same time, the two visits can often be combined, saving you a trip.

Common Questions Parents Have

Can My Child Participate If a Problem Is Found?

Most findings during a sports or camp physical are minor and can be managed with simple accommodations, follow-up care, or a conversation with a coach or camp director. In rare cases, your provider may recommend additional evaluation or temporary modification of activity while a concern is addressed. The goal is always to keep your child safe and active.

What If My Child Has Asthma, Diabetes, or Another Ongoing Condition?

Children and adolescents with chronic conditions can almost always participate in sports and camp activities with proper planning and support. Our providers can work with you to create an action plan, ensure your child has the right medications and equipment on hand, and communicate with coaches or camp staff as needed.

Does My Child Need a Physical Every Year?

Many organizations require an updated physical annually, especially for sports participation. Even if it is not required, an annual visit gives you a chance to track growth, development, and emerging health needs as your child matures.

When to Call the Pediatrician, and When It’s an Emergency

While sports and camp physicals are routine and low-risk, there are times when you should reach out before or after the visit:

• Schedule a visit soon if your child has had a recent injury, concussion, or illness that might affect clearance, or if you have questions about their readiness for a specific activity.
• Call for guidance if your child experiences chest pain, fainting, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath during exercise. These symptoms warrant prompt evaluation.
• Seek urgent or same-day care if your child has a severe allergic reaction, uncontrolled asthma symptoms during activity, or a suspected fracture or joint injury.
• Go to the ER or call 911 if your child loses consciousness, has a seizure, experiences sudden severe chest pain or difficulty breathing, or sustains a head injury with confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

What You Can Do at Home

You can help your child prepare for their physical and for safe participation in sports or camp by encouraging a few healthy habits:

• Make sure your child drinks plenty of water, especially in warm weather or during intense activity.
• Encourage a balanced diet with enough protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support growth and energy.
• Help your child get enough sleep. School-age children typically need 9 to 12 hours per night, and adolescents need 8 to 10 hours, according to guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Talk with your child about the importance of warming up, stretching, and listening to their body during activity.
• Keep an eye on any new or worsening symptoms, and share them with your provider at the visit.

From a Pediatrics Perspective

One of the most common worries parents have is that something will be found that prevents their child from participating in an activity they love. In reality, the vast majority of children and adolescents are cleared without restriction. When a concern does arise, it is usually manageable and often something that benefits from early attention. The physical is not a test your child can fail. It is a tool to keep them healthy, safe, and confident as they grow.

Another misconception is that a sports physical can replace a well-child visit. While there is overlap, well-child visits are more comprehensive and include broader developmental screening, anticipatory guidance, and preventive care. If your child is due for both, ask our team whether they can be combined during a single appointment.

Questions to Ask at the Visit

If you are unsure what to discuss during the physical, here are a few helpful questions to consider:

• Is my child up to date on all recommended vaccines?
• Are there any concerns about my child’s growth, weight, or nutrition?
• Should my child avoid any activities or use any protective equipment?
• How can we prevent injuries in this sport or activity?
• What should I watch for during practices or games?
• When should my child come back for another checkup?

How to Schedule a Visit

Holly Springs Pediatrics makes it easy to request an appointment for a sports, camp, or school physical. You can call our office or use our online scheduling system to find a time that works for your family. We serve families from Holly Springs, Apex, Cary, New Hill, Fuquay Varina, Morrisville, and nearby communities, and we are here to support your child’s health at every stage.

If you have questions about what to bring, which form to use, or whether your child needs any additional care before the visit, our team is happy to help. We look forward to seeing you and your child soon.