Kids with Severe Food Allergies at summer camp
I am a mother of two children with food allergies. One who is severely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. He is almost six years old and goes to day camp and they say they are a “Peanut-Free” camp.
I have been on pins and needles each and every day that he is there. It has been a big challenge to make sure that my son is completely safe when eating and participating as a camper even with Epi-pens stationed with the Head counselor and with the nurse—I always worry.
I have discovered that the administration and counselors don’t really have great procedures in place and lack communication between staff members.
They just seem unaware of the consequences of such an allergy. I have caught many slip-ups with procedures and they have thanked me afterwards for pointing things out.
This camp is on its 10th year and you would think they would have everything under control when it comes to severe food allergies.
We need to come together to educate these camps and bring awareness to the people that work there about these severe food conditions.
Please write in your comments if you are a parent of a child with a severe food allergy, and let me know if your child’s camp experience has been a positive or a negative one.
