{"id":231156,"date":"2025-05-08T17:29:16","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T17:29:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/budget-food\/food-allergies-at-summer-camp-a-parents-guide\/"},"modified":"2025-05-08T17:29:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T17:29:16","slug":"food-allergies-at-summer-camp-a-parents-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=231156","title":{"rendered":"Food Allergies at Summer Camp: A Parent’s Guide\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As summer approaches, we look forward to free time for day trips, poolside afternoons, and a childhood favorite, summer camp!\u00a0<\/p>\n

Camps give kids opportunities to make new friends, try new hobbies, and be more independent. <\/p>\n

But when your child has a life-threatening food allergy, summer camp presents some serious challenges. The break from the routines of the school year, while welcome, raises anxiety for allergy families because those familiar routines and protocols keep our kids safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Our Summer Camp Story<\/h2>\n

My daughter is severely allergic to wheat, barley, and rye, and even cross-contamination can send us to the Emergency Room (and has several times). So a busy and casually supervised camp lunch or a remote camp can be dangerous territory for her.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But thankfully, through careful planning, research and partnership with camp staff, she\u2019s been able to safely enjoy summer camps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In fact, she successfully attended her first ever sleepaway camp last year! It was life-changing for all of us. It gave us hope and a glimpse of a future where she can be safe and <\/em>adventurous.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Travel and summer camp both require considerable planning and preparation but are so worth it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I recognize that all children and their allergies are different and that what works for us, may not be an option for you. My heart goes out to each and every one of you because I know some part<\/em> of your struggle. Maybe by hearing our story, you will find an unseen path to possibility.<\/p>\n

In this Food Allergies at Summer Camp: Staying Safe Series<\/strong>, I discuss the particular challenges of sleep-away camps and how we approached each challenge to minimize risks for our daughter. All the aspects apply to or can be scaled back for day camps as well, but they are based on my experience with overnight camp.<\/p>\n

Location, Location, Location<\/h3>\n

When choosing a day camp or overnight camp for your child with food allergies, proximity to Emergency Services is a major factor. <\/p>\n

My daughter has experienced a biphasic reaction, where a second wave of anaphylaxis occurred after the first epinephrine injection. I have also seen her blood pressure drop frighteningly fast during anaphylaxis. <\/p>\n

Knowing that the effects of epinephrine begin to wane after 20-30 minutes, I will only consider a camp that is within 20-30 minutes of a hospital. You know your child\u2019s symptoms and severity, so you will need to determine the comfortable radius for your camp search.<\/p>\n

When doing so, consider that miles don\u2019t equal minutes on rural roads.<\/strong> A hospital 10 miles away will likely take 20-30 minutes to reach because of winding two lane or gravel roads. <\/p>\n

Food Allergies and ADA: Understanding Your Rights<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First and foremost, it\u2019s important to remember that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, food allergies are considered a disability if they seriously limit one or more major life activities (eating). This means:\u00a0<\/p>\n