Has your child missed out on summer camp fun due to his or her food allergies? If so, he/she may soon be able to have the traditional camp experience in a safe environment. Starting in the summer of 2011, food allergic children and their siblings will be able to attend Camp T.A.G., a weeklong day camp in Illinois, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Maryland and Texas.

The food allergy-friendly camp will feature a Registered Nurse on staff, allergy-safe snacks, educational activities, games, sports and crafts, and a Parent Education Day.

To learn more about Camp T.A.G., and to request a camp in your location, visit the original post on GoDairyFree.com.

-Nita

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Now that summer has officially begun and the 4th of July is quickly approaching, you’re probably beginning to worry about upcoming picnics, cookouts, and days at the beach. Can your child with a severe allergy safely join in on the fun? Of course! With some careful planning and the right attitude, you and your child can enjoy the summer. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Develop a list of your little one’s medications – including those taken only in an emergency

When preparing for an outing, it’s often easy to forget some of the smaller items that you keep stocked at home. To ensure you have everything you need, make a list in advance of the medications your little one uses – on a daily basis and in case of an emergency.

Prepare allergy safe food for your child in advance

If you’re picnicking with friends or family, make sure to bring some meals and snacks that your little one can enjoy. Not everyone shares your caution in handling certain ingredients, so go ahead and prepare the food yourself before leaving. And remember, to label all food carefully – it’s easy for someone to grab the wrong item, possibly leaving your child with allergies without a meal.

Make sure whoever is hosting the summer activity knows about your child’s allergies

Many times people are so busy preparing to host a group of people, that your child’s specific allergies might slip their mind. Play it safe — even if the host knows you and your child well, it never hurts to provide a friendly reminder about what your child can and cannot eat.

Keep it clean

Avoid eating directly on park picnic tables – you don’t know who was there prior to your visit and what food residue might be leftover. Instead bring a table cloth and some plates that everyone can eat on. Disinfectant wipes are also great for quickly wiping down areas.

Have an emergency plan

No matter how much you plan, it’s still possible that your child will accidentally come into contact with a food that causes an allergic reaction. If and when this happens, it’s easy to panic and forget what you need to do to help your child. Prior to your outing, write down what needs to be done in case of emergency – this will not only help you but can also serve as a guideline for any other adults onsite who can offer a hand.

HAVE FUN!
While it’s important to plan for your outing to ensure your child’s safety, summer is about having fun! Remember to bring activities such as coloring books and games so that food is not the primary focus of the outing.

What summer plans do you and your little ones have?

- Mallory

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Your beginning to pull out the tank tops and shorts, the local park is getting crowded and the neighborhood pool is about to open. All of this must mean…it’s summertime! Many allergy parents breathe a sigh of relief when the school year is over. Not only does life slow down for a bit, but you also don’t have to fret about what your child’s friend brought for lunch or what type of cake is being used for the class birthday party.

However, the summer brings a whole new set of worries — travel. It can often be difficult to be away from home for a long period of time with a baby or child with food allergies. You aren’t able to cook your normal meals and you don’t have the unlimited formula supply at your fingertips. But, with the right preparation, your trip will be allergy-free and will go off without a hitch.

Here are a few things I recommend:

• Call ahead: Before you arrive at your hotel, call them to make sure the room is allergy-free — including the mini-bar. Also, if you use a formula or you need to bring snacks that need to be refrigerated, see if that can be arranged.
• Bring extra supplies: You never know when something unexpected might happen (i.e., hitting a bad patch of traffic or arriving at a location that doesn’t have your baby’s formula or allergy-prone child’s favorite allergy-free treat). Always pack an extra amount of food and formula.
• Be happy: There’s nothing like a family vacation. Be vigilant of any potential allergens, but make sure to relax enough to enjoy this time with your family.

And for tips on how to fly with a baby that needs formula or medical foods, click here for a blog entry on the topic.

- Christine
Neocate is now on Facebook!