Summer Camp with Food Allergies- The First Step to Keep it Safe

That crazy leprechaun just paid us a visit, which is my sign to start thinking summer camps.  I don't know if where you live is like here, but summer camps book up and they book up quickly!  My girls have a few on their short-list and we need to move as fast as that leprechaun to secure our spots.  And, with food allergies it is even more important that I am researching and planning our summer camps early to ensure we not only have a fun, but safe summer.

I am sure some of you are ready to click on to the next screen thinking my kid has food allergies, there is no way I would send them to a camp.  But hang tight, before you leave, know that I was that mom a few years ago.  The thought of sending my food allergic daughter to camp was so stressful I would break out into a sweat just thinking about it!  But, as with all hurdles we have faced with food allergies, I knew there had to be a way to give her that fun summer camp experience but still keep her safe...and me sane.  Yes it takes a little more work....but it is worth it.  Your kiddo gets to have fun and you may just get a much needed break or coverage for all of those long summer hours!

Now is the time to start doing your research.  Yes, this takes time but your research will yield a list of camps that might work for your family.

Start the Conversation
Start by talking to your child about the camps they are interested in.  You may find they have interests or concerns that you did not anticipate.  A few years ago some of my daughter's friends attended an over night camp for the first time.  She had no interest in even going to an overnight camp so that answered all of my questions....moving on to the next camp.

Once you know their interests let them know you need to do some research into available camps.  It may be a good idea to find a few camps in their interest area (for example if basketball is their thing, find a few camp options that way if one proves unsafe you will still have another option to explore).

If you live in the Louisville area, check out the awesome list of summer camps by Louisville Family Fun to start your research.  Other cities have similar lists that you can reference to start to review camp options and talk to your kiddos about their interests.

And, did you know? There are a number of camps across the US that cater to food allergic campers- talk about knowing how to deal with food allergies at camp!!  Camp TAG hosted by FAACT is one great option for a food allergy focussed camp, and you can also check out this great list by FARE of other food allergy friendly camps.

Get In Touch
Once you have your short list of camps, websites are a great place to start.  Some camps have FAQs or even pages dedicated to the topic of food allergies and how they are handled at camp.  In fact, these are camps you probably want to keep on your short list.  But, the research doesn't end there.  Once you have an idea of the camps your kiddo is interested in it is time to get on the phone....yes call someone.  Don't email, don't text...call.  Why?  Because you can tell a lot about a camp by the way their staff answers your questions.  You will be able to tell if they get it, if they have had experience dealing with food allergic campers, and if they are together enough to get you the answers that you need.

Some questions to consider asking:

• How do you manage food allergies at camp?
• What are your food allergy policies?
• Have you had food allergic campers in the past?  If so, what allergens did they manage?
• Have you ever had a food allergy reaction at camp?  
• What are your policies for brining food to camp?  
• Is your staff trained in food allergy management and emergency response?
• Do you have a nurse on the camp staff?  If so, is he/she onsite the entire camp?
• Are staff trained to administer epinephrine? If so, which staff members are trained?  
• Are you open to partnering with food allergic families to keep camp safe?  
• Would you be willing to connect me to other food allergy families that have been to your camp so I could discuss their experience?

Depending on how old your child is, involve them in this research.  Remember- some day they will be the ones that need to self-manage so at every turn (as age appropriate) help them develop those skills.

Make the Decision

After you have called the camps and had the conversations it should become apparent which camps may be an option for you.  Unfortunately, there will be some you take off the list, but at the end of the day that really is OK.  While it might be hard to have a conversation with your child about not attending a camp, the alternative is sending them into an unsafe situation- and no parent wants that!  

Depending on how old your child is, talk to them about what you found out and which camps fit not only their interests, but will keep food allergy safety a priority.  Together you can make decisions about where summer fun will also be safe fun!  

More To Come

Making the decision about which camp to attend is a huge one, but the work is not done.  Once you send in that check and sign those forms it is time to start planning how you will keep camp safe (even if they have great policies in place).  Stay tuned for more on that topic in a future blog....for now happy camp researching!  Thrive On!

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Product Disclaimer:
Thrive On Consulting was not paid to promote these products or places.  Products mentioned here are provided as ideas and suggestions to help you Thrive On with food allergies.

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Check out #thriveonthursday - Every Thursday check out my Facebook page where I share a tip for thriving on with food allergies!

What Every Food Allergy Kiddo Needs to Know

What is your food allergy parenting style?  Some of us are pretty intense (myself included!!) taking a very watchful and hands-on approach to managing life with food allergies, while others are a little more laid-back.  From the clients I work with, to the Facebook groups I participate in as a food allergy mom,  I have seen it all from super conservative to extremely hands-off.  There is no right answer, and while it may be hard to grasp the "other way" the reality is we all need to find an approach to safely manage food allergies that works for us, and for our families.  And, this approach may ebb and flow depending on the season of food allergies you are in.  For me, I will always be Type A, about everything, but as we have grown into our food allergies over the last decade I have adjusted my intensity (although some would laugh at that statement!).

Your approach has to work for you, and others may not understand the how or the why behind your actions, but as long as you are working to keep your child safe and help them move closer to being able to manage their own allergies you are on the right track!

How you do it may differ from how I do it, but here is my list of the key things we need to be teaching our food allergy kiddos so one day they will be able to successfully self-manage their food allergies.  After you read my list, comment below if you have others you would add.

Epi Etiquette
Simply stated- take it everywhere you go, keep it on you, and keep it temperature controlled.  So many tragic food allergy stories start with the fact the the person did not have their epinephrine with them.

Label Reading 
Make sure they know how to read a label, how their allergens may appear on the label- which may be different if you are managing a non-top 8 allergen, and any other names their allergen may appear as on labels, for example botanical names.

It's Not Just the Food
Highlight non-food risks and places where their allergens could be found, for example in personal care products or pet foods.

Be Your Own Advocate
Help them develop the skills they need to be able to advocate for themselves.  Food allergy parents do a lot of the behind scenes work, but as they get older involve them in the meetings and conversations that you have so they can see how to structure a conversation about keeping it safe.

Cooking School
If you have food allergies there is some level of cooking you will need to do to keep it safe, so be sure your kiddo has some basic cooking skills in their back pocket.  We don't need to raise gourmet cooks, but a few basic skills will go along way to boosting their confidence and making sure they can cook for themselves when you are no longer there to prepare all those safe meals.  Check out my previous blog post with advice from Chef Laura Holland about getting your kids in the kitchen for some great ideas on inspiring your little chef.

Attitude is Everything
It has been proven time and time again that your attitude will shape your experience. While food allergies can be scary and limiting, help your kiddo find the joy in their situation and model positive behaviors while managing their food allergies.  For example, approach conversations about keeping it safe with a collaborative mindset and make the best of situations even if it is not exactly how you would want it.  If you missed my blog post a few weeks ago about food allergy silver linings give it a read and see if you can relate or get some additional perspective to shape your attitude about food allergies.

What else would you add to the list?

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Need help living your best life with food allergies?  I can help you Thrive On! 
Learn more about me and my company, Thrive On Consulting, which provides food allergy coaching and training.  You can also follow me on Facebook for tips to Thrive On with food allergies.

Check out #thriveonthursday - Every Thursday check out my Facebook page -I share a tip for thriving on with food allergies!

Why You Should Attend the Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest in Columbus, OH

In just a few days an amazing event is coming to Columbus, OH-  The Gluten Free Food AllergyFest.  The GFFA Fest, which will be held on April 30^th and May 1^st, is a must do if you are managing food allergies or Celiac Disease.   

I attended the GFFA Fest, hosted by Gluten Free and More, for the first time in 2015.  I learned so much and found so many great products- all catered towards those with food allergies and Celiac- I knew I would be adding it to my list of events to attend each year. 

Here are three great reasons you should plan to attend this weekend:

Gluten Free and Allergy Friendly Products Galore!

As you walk into the GFFA Fest, you will see aisle after aisle of products, vendors and companies all focused on helping those with Celiac and food allergies.  Get ready to sample great foods, discover new products and talk with companies that get it.  Some companies sample their foods and products and some even sell things.  Be sure to grab your complimentary sample bag when you enter the GFFA Fest and be prepared to leave with more than came with!

Education Sessions and Cooking Demos Throughout the Day

In between sampling tasty foods and finding your new favorite gluten-free products you can attend one of the many lectures or cooking demos offered at the Fest.  All day long chefs are cooking up allergy-friendly and gluten free bites in the demo kitchen.  You can attend a live cooking demo and then head to the lecture area to hear from medical, Celiac and food allergy experts on how to manage and thrive with food restrictions.

This year, I am honored to be representing my company, Thrive On Consulting and speaking on Traveling with Food Allergies and Celiac Disease.  My session will be the first of the day on both Saturday and Sunday.  I will be sharing tips and advice for traveling safely with food restrictions.  Come join me for an informative session just in time for planning that summer vacation!  And, one lucky attendee at each of my presentations will win a prize bag with great accessories for traveling with food allergies or Celiac generously donated by my partners at AllerMates, Allergy Apparel and I.C.O.E. Bracelets.  You don’t want to miss the chance to win these great prizes!

Connections, Community and Advice

When you have food allergies and Celiac Disease often times you feel like the outsider at an event- making special meal requests, brining your own safe foods, feeling unsure sometimes if the situation will be safe.  This is one event where you will feel at home and be surrounded by others who also have the same concerns and take the same precautions.  You will talk to people throughout the day- company representatives, chefs, fellow attendees- that all get it.  You will be part of the gluten free and food allergy community, and you will fit right in. 

There will also be people there to provide advice and support.  There is an authors booth where you can meet and talk to leading authors – and buy some of their wonderful books and cookbooks.   After my talk, I will be in the author booth to discuss any questions you may have about managing food allergies.  My friend, and fellow AllerCoach, Tiffany Monroe, who owns Ingredients for You,will also be at the GFFA Fest to talk all things food allergy- you can find her at the booth with Soodles Bake Shop, an allergy-friendly and gluten free bakery who will be serving up some delicious and safe samples.

Cannot wait to connect with you the GFFA Fest!

Safety Note: As a food allergy coach, a little advice to help you Thrive On at the Fest- if you are managing food allergies do still bring your emergency medications.  No matter how safe or comfortable you may feel, you should never leave home without your emergency medications.  Be sure to read labels and inquire about ingredients before sampling products as your allergens may be present in some of the products.   

Tami owns Thrive On Consulting, which helps families and individuals managing food allergies.  You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter