Camp

It’s estimated that each year, more than 11 million children and adults attend a camp. Throughout the U.S., there are more than 12,000 day and summer camps, run by non-profit organizations, religious organizations, or privately owned. Camps provide wonderful opportunities for enrichment and socialization.

For the 3 million children in the U.S. with food allergies, it’s important that camps have established food allergy policies in place. Food allergy reactions occur without warning, and could occur for the first time while a child is at camp. Having a written food allergy policy in place ensures that staff members are well-equipped to care for children who experience food allergy reactions while at camp.

Camps should find out whether their state government allows camp officials to have epinephrine on hand in case of an allergic reaction to a child that has not been previously diagnosed with a food allergy. Camp staffers should know where epinephrine is stored, and should be trained on how to administer it.

For more information about creating a camp policy, see review PDFcamp guidelines that are available, or order a copy of our Camp Guide to Managing Severe Allergic Reactions.

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