| Food allergies can be life threatening. In any camp setting, day camps, residential camps, sports camps, or travel camps, the risk of accidental exposure to a food allergen is present. Camp staff, clinicians, parents/caregivers, and campers themselves must work together to minimize the risk. There must also be medications and procedures in place to deal with accidental ingestion or contact. |
| Parent/caregiver responsibility |
| Choose an appropriate camp for the child. Find out the following: |
- Who is the primary health care person, and what are their credentials?
|
- Who is responsible for their duties in this person's absence?
|
- How does the camp communicate and monitor food allergy information? Is this sufficient for your child?
|
- How far is the camp from definitive care?
|
- What trips might the camper take that change the response time? Are you okay with this?
|
| Notify the camp of the camper's allergies or suspected allergies. |
- Use the camp application and/or health form to fully describe the allergy. If necessary, attach a detailed explanation of the type of symptoms. List foods to which the camper is allergic and the specific symptoms he or she typically experiences during an allergic reaction.
|
- Inform the camp director of the allergy early in the process so that appropriate personnel can be hired or instructed on the proper approach to the camper with food allergy.
|
| Make personal contact with the director, counselor, or the division supervisor before the camper's arrival at the facility. |
- Make certain that the camp director notifies all affected personnel. Pool lifeguards, transportation drivers, dining hall/cafeteria workers, camp nurses, counselors, specialty area workers, and anyone else who may offer food or plan parties or events all need to be informed of the allergy. Additionally, many camps use volunteers who may only come to camp 1 or 2 days during the week. These individuals will also need to understand the camp's food allergy policy.
|
| Provide the camp with a recent photo of the child, attached to written instructions, medical documentation, and medications as prescribed by the clinician for handling accidental contact. |
- Do not simply transfer school documentation.
|
- The specific camp personnel need to be authorized and instructed on how to proceed.
|
- The camp may have an Allergy Action Plan or use the Food Allergy Action Plan from the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
|
| Check the expiration date of all medications. |
- Be prepared to replace any expired or unsealed, previously used medication. Review with the camp director and nurse the location and storage of medications. Given the remote location of many camps, provide 2 epinephrine autoinjectors if prescribed.
|
| Educate and review often with the camper the self-management of their food allergy. |
| |
| |
- Strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods.
|
- Symptoms of allergic reactions.
|
- How and when to tell an adult about a possible allergic response.
|
- How to read a food label, especially those at the camp candy store, if age appropriate. For young campers, plan with the camp how to handle this.
|
- How to use an epinephrine autoinjector.
|
| Camper responsibility |
| The camper should: |
- Never trade food with other campers.
|
- Not eat anything with unknown ingredients.
|
- Read every label and check with a counselor (if age appropriate).
|
- Be proactive in the management of mild reactions, such as seeking help if a reaction is suspected.
|
- Tell an adult if a reaction seems to be starting, even if there is no visible appearance of allergic response.
|
- Not go off alone if symptoms are beginning.
|
| Camp responsibility |
| Be informed of the availability of emergency care. |
- Know: How to contact EMT/ambulance.
|
- How much time is needed for an emergency crew to arrive.
|
- How far it is to the nearest hospital.
|
- If the hospital has a physician present at all times.
|
- Camps located in nonurban settings must understand that rural ambulance and emergency crews may be volunteers. Therefore, additional plans and additional medications may be required.
|
- On trips away from the campsite, a communication device (ie, cell phone, 2-way radio) should be carried.
|
| Review the health records submitted by parents/caregivers and clinicians. |
| Establish prevention protocols for your camp. |
- Make plans so that the camper with food allergies may be safely included in all activities.
|
- Be certain that all food service or kitchen personnel are aware of and can identify the child with food allergies.
|
- Discuss meal plans with parents/caregivers and the camper and alternative plans, if necessary.
|
- Plan how a camper with food allergies will participate in meals. A camper with food allergies should go first in a buffet line to avoid cross-contact or may need a place to sit apart in a special, allergen-free space.
|
| Assure that all who will be in contact with the camper know of the allergy and can recognize the symptoms of allergic response. |
| Maintain an appropriate sense of confidentiality and respect for individual privacy. |
| Identify the camp core emergency response team. This should include, but not be limited to, appropriate staff. |
- Arrange to have this team meet with parents/caregivers and the camper prior to the opening activity, on or before the first day of the camper's participation.
|
- Assure that the nurse has the required authorizations and appropriate medications to use in the event of inadvertent contact.
|
| Assure that appropriate personnel are familiar with epinephrine autoinjector usage, where medication is located, and protocol. |
- Arrange a training session before the start of camp. Allow participants to become familiar with the usage of epinephrine autoinjectors.
|
| If there are planned field trips or out-of-camp activities: |
- Be certain any emergency medications and authorizations accompany the camper and the counselor.
|
- Be certain there is a way to contact emergency assistance.
|
- Enforce a "no eating" policy in the vehicle.
|
- Medications must be stored in the correct temperature range. Be certain travel personnel understand the importance of this. Many medications are rendered ineffective if left in the sunshine or inside a closed vehicle or refrigerated. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for proper storage.
|
| Food Allergy Research & Education can be contacted at: (800) 929-4040, www.foodallergy.org |
