Camp fare… gluten free?!

We sent our oldest child to youth camp this week.  It is hard to believe that it is already Saturday as we wait for the buses to return from White Lake, WI… home of Silver Birch Ranch (SBR).  At first thought of sending our child off to camp many months ago, my mind shuddered at the thought… all that we would need to do for this child to go, let alone what might be endured during the week.  Our oldest is allergic to Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Gluten (wheat, barley, rye and oats), Eggs and Cows milk.  We have also noticed a strong sensitivity to outdoor molds…  not great for campers!  So, just to think about going to camp was daunting.  But this is youth camp… with our church.  A week of middle schoolers coming together and learning more about Christ.  We had to try to find a way to make it possible.  So, I decided to spend time praying about it.  During that time, I remembered my own really awesome travels to camp at the age of 12.  Every memory that I recalled was surrounded by the food I ate a camp.  I remembered the PB&j’s, Mac ‘n Cheese, Hamburgers, Chicken Nuggets, Pizza, Pizza, Pizza, Ice Cream bars, Graham Crackers… S’mores!  None of which was gluten, dairy or nut free.  Through all those memories and prayer time, fear began to vanish and I felt God saying He would work out the details, just try…

So, with that motivation, I placed a few calls to our church middle school staff.  They were very encouraging and thought that the food and allergy issues could be addressed.  A few weeks later, I was able to connect with the food service director at SBR and with that phone call I was blown away!  I had not expected much and they were so knowledgeable about allergy issues and cross contamination in the kitchen without me doing any training.  She guaranteed me that they could safely provide gluten and dairy free meals with a few things sent from home… it was the nut allergy that would be the greatest issue.  We say it all the time… with a Peanut/Tree Nut allergy the “Nuts make us nuts”!  I approached them about using Sunbutter in place of their typical Peanut Butter for the week… but this was not possible for them.  Nonetheless, the food service director felt things would work out with a lot of planning ahead of time.  So, we decided to send our child to camp.  Yes, even though there would be free roaming peanut butter in the cafeteria and on breakfast outings during the week.  I did my best to leave the fear of an anaphylactic reaction in God’s hands and just spent the month before camp baking and freezing and coaching my child in the routines of safety already well known.  It was an intense month.

The morning of, we packed a cooler with all the goods that I had frozen and grabbed the suitcase/sleeping bag and were off for the bus.  I was very peaceful and excited for this child.  This week is what we have worked for all these years. After being diagnosed at the age of 4 with multiple food allergies, raising our child in a world (school, sports, anyplace away from home) of peanuts and tree nuts was difficult at first.  We adapted and learned the tricks to keeping reactions at bay.  We have also been adamant that our child not be separated from the “norm” due to allergies.  It has been all about training for safety… even if that meant sitting at a lunch table elbow to elbow with other kids eating PB&J’s.  For our child, the number one safety measure that we employ is frequent hand washing.  Every time we pass a sink away from home, we take the opportunity to wash hands.  Hand sanitizer won’t due, just running water and a little soap does the trick.  So, we talked about this a lot the month before heading off to camp!

What did we send?  With some menu planning conversations with the SBR food director, our cooler was packed with:

• Udi’s frozen pizza and hot dog buns
• homemade GF scones (oat and cranberry)
• homemade GF frozen pancakes (lots of these!)
• Trader Joes frozen GF waffles
• homemade GF / DF croissant pockets (ham & cheese, pizza, and cream cheese & cinnamon)
• homemade GF chocolate chip cookies
• homemade GF graham crackers
• Enjoy Life’s GF / DF & nut free chocolate bars
• Chex’s GF Apple Cinnamon Chex cereal
• Rice Milk
• Beanito’s, Frito’s, Snyder’s GF Pretzels, and Pirate’s Booty

That cooler was packed!  I also sent along LOTS of hand wipes… enough for our child and everyone in the cabin!!  I did have the ability to touch base with the counselor ahead of time and give them some pointers for allergy issues, what to watch out for and signs of a reaction.  I was really trying hard not to be alarming, but for someone who doesn’t live life regularly with a life threatening allergy, I had to make sure the counselor at least had a handle on basic stuff.  Along with the cooler and suitcase, we packed the epi-pens and Benadryl.  Plus, several quick reference laminated cards for what to do in case of a reaction.  It was all very manageable as I had begun the preparations well in advance.  So, the morning of departure was not stressful.

Over the last week, I prayed a lot every morning and felt at peace that our child was at camp with a crowd of peanut butter eating middle schoolers!  I had friends and family praying as well which I know was a big help.  Every chance I got, I browsed the SBR website for photos… hoping to get a glimpse of that familiar smile.  I feel so blessed that we have a church that would care for kids and teens the way they do.  My prayer every morning has been that our child has the best time ever… SAFELY!  In a few short hours we will be reunited and I cannot wait to hear all the stories!  I know it will be the best, life transforming decision we have made for this child so far!

Sending allergic children to camp can be almost unthinkable for their parents.  But I believe that with due diligence, the experience of managing their days through a week at camp is one of the best training grounds we can give these kids.  After all, in a few short years, they will be off to college and living life on their own.  They don’t get to leave their allergies at home when they begin their own lives… allergies will go with them everywhere.  I’ll update you with how things went in a few days!