So there I am at this parent information night for Camp X. I’m listening to my soon-to-be Hippo’s section heads run through a day in the life. Sports, cooking, arts and crafts, snack, swim, lunch … on the bus, off the bus …. Oh and a quick reminder that some of the campers have serious allergies, so “please make sure your children are washed up if they’ve eaten anything with nuts before camp.”

For a moment, I suspend the gut-wrenching fear for my child’s life – we’re now a few weeks away from sending him off on a non-air-conditioned bus every morning to a camp in Nowheresville to be returned on that same bus at the end of the day in one happy-go-lucky piece. And in that moment, I’m kinda loving this. Memories of my camp experiences are conjured up, leaving me worried about who he’s going to sit with on the bus, and fantasizing about the wild adventure my future archery champion of the world is about to embark on.

I recognize the couple seated next to me; they’re from my allergy education group. But it’s the woman behind me who gets the allergy ball rolling. “My daughter is allergic to egg,” she says, and goes on to ask how her little girl will be protected from her allergen throughout the day.

I was planning on reserving the allergy discussion to the four meetings I’ve set up with the director, head nurse, kitchen and entire staff during pre-camp, where I will be conducting EpiPen training and allergy tutorials out the ying-yang.

I’ve been in close communication with the camp since registering Lucas last fall, setting up protocols for the bus, around food, at the pool, etc. This just didn’t seem the forum, but allergic mom behind me put the wheels in motion and, wouldn’t you know, the evening spiraled into a bona fide allergy convention. Turns out a disproportionate number of the parents at this event have kids with severe food allergies, which got me excited. Then my friend pointed out that that’s who populates these meetings – parents with special concerns. “I’m only here because you dragged me out,” she reminded.

So we may have been speaking among the converted, but once this lady brought up the egg, we just couldn’t help ourselves. Questions, anxieties, anecdotes were flying like dust particles. I was trying to keep it general, but when that couple beside me, who were in their second year at the camp, told me that their daughter’s bus counselor breached policy by bringing Timbits and M&M’s (TIMBITS AND M&Ms!!) onto the bus last year, my bubble burst. All the fears I was suspending for this evening, all the anxiety I had worked so hard to replace with faith and even excitement, were back with a vengeance.

Now it’s two weeks to go, and all I can think about is leaving Lucas’ life in the hands of a bunch of horny, reckless, underpaid, over-entitled teenagers, who’s life experience amounts to “like, we’re going to have like the best summer ever.”

I think about myself at 17, more concerned with finding a hiding spot to smoke or spending countless hours debating whether lip-locking with Billy Shields for 30 seconds constituted cheating on my boyfriend. This is who is supposed to understand Lucas’ highly complicated group of allergies. This is who’s going to have to recognize the signs and symptoms of an anaphylactic emergency, if God forbid there is one, and act on it.

I’m really freaking out. I want Lucas to have this experience so badly I can taste it. Camp was such an important part of being a kid and growing up for me – a place and time to test my limits and discover my talents. It was where I had most of my adolescent firsts, where I connected with nature and where I forged some of the most important relationships of my childhood. I loved it, but of course I wasn’t riddled with life-threatening allergies (and thank God for that because back in the ’70s and ’80s peanut butter and camp were almost mutually exclusive).

Camp X’s administrators have been very reassuring that they will go to just about any length to ensure Lucas’ safety, and it’s as much as I can ever expect. But is it enough?

As one allergic mother who has got few years on me once explained, 50 per cent of this is vigilance and 50 per cent is holding your breath and praying for the best. That is allergic living!

Gluten Intolerance Group Summer Camps
The volunteers and staff of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) professionally support children with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. GIG dietitians work with volunteers to prepare meals in a separate kitchen to assure kids get nutritious gluten-free meals and snacks. GIG kitchen staff can accommodate most other food sensitivities with the gluten-free diet. Contact GIG for details at 253- 833-6655 or www.gluten.net.

• GIG Kids’ Camp East at Kamp Kanata, NC
  During the week of June 27-July 3, 2010, Camp Kanata, in Wake Forest, NC, will provide a gluten-free menu to kids with celiac disease who are on a gluten-free diet. The “gluten-free” campers will participate in the full program with the rest of the campers, but will be provided with delicious food that is all gluten-free. Applications are available on the Kanata website.
  Phone: 919-556-2661
  Email: CampKanata@ymcatriangle.org
  Website: www.campkanata.org

• GIG Kids Camp West at Camp Sealth, WA
  Campers with gluten intolerance or celiac disease are professionally supported during sessions 4, 5 and 4/5* by the volunteers and staff of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). Dietitians handle food prep to assure nutritious gluten-free meals and snacks. Campers may enroll in any program during these sessions.
  *This is a split session (sessions 4/5). Children may attend all 11 days or the split session 4, July 19- July 24, or mini session 5, July 26 – July 29.
  Phone: 206-826-8947 or 800-451-CAMP, ext 8947
  Email: sealthinfo@campfire-usa.org
  Website:  www.campfire-usa.org/camp/

Note: FAAN’s pdf of “Camp Guidelines” is a great resource for tips on managing food allergies at camp.

(c) Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.
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Summer camp is a coming-of-age ritual. But signing a child up for a week in the woods is something many parents of kids with allergies and asthma might never consider. Well, Mom and Dad, take heart. The following are a few of a growing number of excellent camps that recognize the detailed precautions needed to manage allergies, asthma and celiac.

You will find the list in this order:

1. Canada – Food Allergy, Celiac
2. Canada – Asthma
3. U.S. – Food Allergy, Celiac
4. U.S. – Asthma

Canada – Food Allergy, Celiac Camps

AAIA Food Allergy Camp / YWCA YoWoChAs Centre Summer Camp
Location: near Edmonton, AB
Campers: co-ed, ages 6-16
Dates: July 26 – 30, 2010
Description: Children with food allergies are welcome all summer, but one week is dedicated to them specifically. A registered dietitian and the camp’s head chef work to create menus that address numerous food allergies, and a nurse, paramedic, or other medical professional is on-site for the duration of the camp. A pediatric allergist from Edmonton is on-call. All staff are trained in first aid, CPR and the administration of epinephrine. Older campers carry their own auto-injectors and puffers, while ever-present counsellors carry them for younger kids. Camp is located on Lake Wabamun, 80km west of Edmonton. This camp strives to be peanut/nut-free year round.

Proximity to emergency dept.:
Stony Plain hospital is 30 minutes away.
Phone: 1-866-456-6651
E-mail: prairies@aaia.ca
Website: www.aaia.ca or www.ywcayowochas.org

B’nai Brith Camp
Location: Lake of the Woods (Kenora), ON (2 ½ hours east of Winnipeg)
Campers: co-ed, ages 8-16
Description: At BB Camp, no products containing fish, peanuts or nuts, including any bulk food items, are permitted to be used on site. The camp cook and his team do not use any ingredients in food preparation that contain fish, nuts or peanuts. Menus are planned to accommodate several food allergies and celiac disease, and are kosher-style. All food allergies are posted in the kitchen confidential binder for the cook each week. Depending on the severity of the allergy or asthma, children either carry their own auto-injectors and inhalers, or they’re kept at the Health Centre, where there are two registered nurses or medics available 24 hours a day. Counsellors of allergic campers are given extra instruction in allergen prevention and in recognizing the signs of anaphylaxis.

Proximity to emergency dept.:
An eight-minute boat ride to Lake of the Woods General Hospital.
Phone: 204-477-7512
E-mail: info@bbcamp.ca
Website: www.bbcamp.ca

Camp Couchiching
Location: Longford Mills, ON
Campers: co-ed, ages 6-16
Description: A wellness director is responsible for meeting the needs of kids with dietary restrictions. When necessary, food is segregated and prepared by a designated person in the kitchen. Registered nurses and respiratory therapists are on staff, and all counsellors are trained on the use of inhalers and EpiPens. It’s up to the parents, respiratory therapist and camper to decide whether medication will be carried by the camper or kept at the health centre.

Proximity to Emergency Department:
Soldiers Memorial Hospital is 10 minutes away.
Phone: 705-325-3428
E-mail: info@campcouchiching.com
Website: www.campcouchiching.com

Camp Manitou
Location: Parry Sound, ON
Campers: co-ed, ages 7-16
Description: The camp is nut safe. Menus are planned to accommodate several food allergies and celiac disease. Children with severe allergies can bring their own food. All staff are trained in first aid and in the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. 7 EpiPen stations are located at key areas around the camp. In addition, campers may carry their own auto-injectors per their parent’s instructions. A doctor (pediatrician or family physician who specializes in dealing with children) and 2-3 nurses/health care assistants are on-site for the duration of the camp.

Proximity to Emergency Department:
Parry Sound Hospital is within 20 minutes away.
Phone: 416-322-5888
E-mail: mark@manitoucamp.com
Website: www.manitoucamp.com

Camp Wahanowin
Location: Orillia, ON
Campers: co-ed, ages 6-15
Description: Campers will allergies get alternative meals, and one person in the kitchen is designated to prepare them. For some dietary restrictions, such as celiac disease, parents need to provide the food. One doctor and three nurses are on staff all summer, and children carry their own auto-injectors and inhalers. The camp strives to be peanut- and nut-free.

Proximity to Emergency Department:
Soldiers Memorial Hospital is 12 minutes away.
Phone: 416-482-2600
E-mail: info@wahanowin.com

Website: www.wahanowin.com