Inspired by Camp Tag, “to Food Allergy Friendly Camp Tag and Beyond….” is what flashed in my mind when I read about Food Allergy Friendly Camp Tag, the 5-day, full-day camp for ages 4-12, July 29-August 2. The camp will be held at Tall Pines Day Camp in Williamstown, NJ. It provides a safe place for children with… food allergies (including eosinophilic disorders and asthma) and their siblings to have fun with no worries about having a food allergic allergic reaction, as well as give them an opportunity to meet other children who share the same conditions and know they are not alone! What caught my eye was the emphasis on independence, a nurse on staff, specials sessions just for parents and potato sack races! Every summer I watch friends pull their kids from camp when they learn that the camp is unable to host their food allergic child. It is frustrating to hear that during the time of registration organizers seem to feel they can manage and then something falls apart between registration and EpiPen® training. This kind of camp is a breath of fresh air.
photo courtesy of Camp Tag
Camp TAG will also offer 1-2 educational sessions throughout the week for parents who want to learn more about food allergy management in the school setting while the campers are in session. Education sessions will be led by Eleanor Garrow, former Camp Tag director who is very respected amongst the food allergy support group leaders across the nation. I also was attracted to the idea that the last day of camp was Family Entertainment day, where the whole family is invited to join into the fun. Food Allergy Friendly Camp Tag Sponsors will host booths offering materials and literature and I believe this is very important for sponsors to see and feel the success of their kindness. More often than not, kind donors don’t participate, so to me, this is a beautiful thing.
photo courtesy of Camp Tag
The website states that the camp is 95% fun and 5% education–a nice mix too. The sad thing is that I live on the opposite side of the country, otherwise, my daughter would be all over this and my son could be a counselor. I did read that all counselors either are required to have food allergies, be a parent or sibling of a child with food allergies. I was certainly inspired by this: image a child being 100% supported and engulfed in their own food allergy community at camp. Wow.
photo courtesy of Camp Tag
To learn more and register by visiting Food Allergy Friendly Camp Tag-too bad I live thousands of miles away. Sigh.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
“too bad I live thousands of miles away. Sigh.”
That’s exactly how I feel! It’s a good model for what I hope are future camps, though!
What a wonderful camp!
Kathryn,
This is the time I wished I had lived back East!