Is Summer Camp for a Gluten Free Child Possible?
I was sitting with a friend the other day and she was telling me about a really great camp opportunity coming up in the summer. I was chatting back and forth and Lydia who was near us, piped up and in a timid little voice said “but what can I eat? Is there any camp that can actually provide gluten free camp food?”
This tore my heart out as I sat and reflected on the fact that we have never sent her to an overnight camp because of food restrictions. When she was first diagnosed as celiac, there were no options for camps that offered safe food for her to eat. Now that she is a teenager, I wonder if it is too late for her to get the away camp experience?
The timid little voice in which Lydia asked the question made me realize she also has a lot of fear regarding food and having food to eat when not under our care. I can only imagine the fear if she was away from home trying to navigate on her own to find gluten free camp food This is a lot for a little person to bear!
Lydia is not as sensitive as her dad when it comes to accidentally eating something that is contaminated with gluten, often becoming more emotional rather than ill. But this had me thinking, how would we ensure that the camp didn’t cross-contaminate the food even though they have a gluten free offering? How do we ensure that others don’t dip a serving spoon or tongs into the same food, and this makes her sick? What if she doesn’t like the gluten free option that is being served, she can be picky? Do the cooks at the camp truly understand what gluten free entails and how sick it makes her?
This made me wonder how families with peanut allergies navigate this same topic. Do they just not send their kids to camp?
I don’t have the answer to this question and I’m not sure if we will end up sending Lydia to the camp this summer. I do know I am going to take action steps to see if there are camps that offer gluten free camp food.
Questions to Ask Gluten Free Camp:
- Research the camp website and see what they mention regarding special diets on their site. I will also review policy regarding peanuts as I often find that establishments that are nut allergy aware, take other dietary needs seriously
- After review of the site and it has been determined they do have a food plan, I will reach out to the camp director to arrange a phone call.
- I will ask the pertinent questions to determine if the camp and kitchen can address my concerns:
- Cook training and awareness
- Cross contamination protocols
- Food separation from other meals
- I will ask how many gluten free kids they have had attend the camp on an annual basis and how many come each year? I know full well that if the kids are getting sick they won’t be returning the next year
- Am I able to send alternate food along? I’m not thinking perishable food, but I would really like if Lydia had a stash of gluten free protein bars and possibly some fruit she could eat if something goes awry.
- What are their policies regarding a kid who gets sick? Does the child self report? How am I notified?
While I’m not sure what the result will be. As a parent, I feel I need to do my due diligence to see if gluten free camp food is an option for Lydia. Once I have the answers I need, the next step will be letting her know the facts. If she doesn’t feel comfortable with the answers and the action plans presented, then camp will be a no go! Sad, but often a reality of having a gluten free child.
What is Your Experience?
How do you handle overnight camp with your gluten free kid? Have you figured out a way to navigate this childhood experience in the midst of food restrictions? Leave a comment below and share your experiences!
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