With temperatures soaring into the 90s, Fort Wayne doctors and parks officials say the warning signs of heat exhaustion are showing up earlier—and more often—at youth summer camps.

As the Midwest bakes under a heatwave, sports fields across northeast Indiana are buzzing with activity. But under that same blistering sun, local doctors are sounding the alarm.

It’s not just about discomfort anymore. It’s about danger.

This week, with temperatures hitting the mid-90s and humidity pushing the “feels like” temperature even higher, physicians are calling for urgent attention to hydration, shade, and signs of heat-related illness among children attending sports and conditioning programs.

Kids Feel It First — And Hardest

Dr. Anna Menze with Parkview Health has seen the signs too often — the flushed cheeks, the wobbling walk, the blank stares from kids who “just need one more sprint.”

“You’ve got these young athletes pushing themselves to prove they belong,” Menze said. “But the body has limits. Especially in this kind of heat.”

She stresses that heat illness doesn’t always look dramatic. It can start quietly — with a headache, some nausea, maybe a kid who suddenly isn’t talking as much.

Then it can turn fast.

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Camps Told: Normalize Breaks and Hydration

Coaches and counselors want kids to tough it out, to train hard. But Menze says there’s a fine line — and ignoring early symptoms is risky.

“What we need,” she said, “is a culture shift. Breaks shouldn’t be seen as weakness. They should be expected. Hydration should be constant. Not reactive.”

She recommends starting hydration before kids hit the field. Water alone isn’t enough if they’re already behind.

And it’s not just about water. Electrolytes, sunscreen, breathable clothing — all of it matters. Because kids don’t self-monitor the way adults do.

What Parents Can Do

April McCampbell from Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation said parents have a role, too — even before drop-off.

“Acclimating your kids to outdoor temperatures gradually is key,” she explained. “Don’t just throw them into a three-hour practice in full sun without preparation.”

She also pointed out the importance of packing right: hats, sunscreen, extra water bottles, maybe even a cooling towel.

And it’s not just about gear. It’s mindset.

“These are kids. They’ll push through pain because they think they have to,” McCampbell said. “It’s up to adults to help them stop before it’s too far.”

Here’s what parents should look out for during hot weather activity:

• Skin that feels clammy or cool, even if the child is sweating

• Unusual behavior: quietness, confusion, irritability

• Dizziness or rapid breathing

• A child saying they “feel weird” or “off” — even if vague

All of those could be signs that the heat is taking a toll.

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heat Stroke: Know the Line

Understanding the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be the difference between a quick fix and a trip to the emergency room.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

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Not Just Summer Problems — They’re Getting Worse

The heat itself isn’t new. But the intensity, duration, and frequency of these heat waves? That’s changing.

Indiana saw over a dozen heat advisories in 2024 — triple the average from a decade earlier. And 2025 is shaping up to be even hotter, with multiple 90°F+ days before July.

“This isn’t just summer weather anymore,” said Menze. “This is a serious environmental shift. And we’ve got to change how we plan youth activities around it.”

Camp organizers, McCampbell said, are responding. Many are pushing activities to earlier in the morning or cutting afternoon hours. Some are adding shade tents or rotating kids inside during extreme days.

But others? Still running full throttle in full sun.

“That’s where the risk lies,” she said.

One Parent’s Wake-Up Call

Laura Espinoza’s son is 11. He plays travel baseball. Last week, after just 45 minutes at a midday practice, he came home vomiting with chills.

“I thought he had the flu,” she said. “Turned out, it was heat exhaustion.”

Now she keeps two coolers in her trunk — one with drinks, one with ice packs. And she doesn’t hesitate to pull him out if things seem off.

“You think you’re being overprotective,” she said. “Until you’re sitting in urgent care with a kid who just wanted to finish batting practice.”