Summer camp is an excellent opportunity for your kids to get outside, learn lots and make new friends. If your kids have allergies, you might feel hesitant to send them to groups like The Botanical Conservatory’s Camp ACTIVenture or the Franke Park Day Camp. Luckily, allergies don’t necessarily mean your kid can’t participate!
With proper preparation and some allergy-safe tips, you can send your little one to camp without worry. Let’s look at a few of those tips below.
1. Talk to the Camp
When you sign your child up for camp, you’ll need to complete some paperwork. The paperwork will vary by camp, but you will likely need to sign a waiver and complete medical forms listing allergies and other health concerns. Make sure you list all allergies, including mild ones.
If your child has severe allergies that require an EpiPen, make sure they wear a medical alert tag and carry an EpiPen. Indiana allows camps with staff trained to recognize anaphylaxis and to administer an EpiPen in the event of an emergency.[1] When you’re signing your child up for camp, double-check that their staff has the training to intervene if necessary.
If your child also has asthma, their allergies will increase their risk of an asthma attack. Make sure to pack their inhaler and ask the camp to keep an eye on them during any sports or other active events.
2. Talk to Their Allergist
Before sending your child to sleepaway camp, talk to their Ear, Nose and Throat Associates allergist about extra medication and any additional steps you can take to prevent a reaction.
3. Think About Their Clothes
If your child has pollen allergies, outdoor camps will increase their risk of an infection. One way you can limit skin reactions is to pack long-sleeve shirts, pants and tall socks for them to wear. Look for lightweight, moisture-wicking materials to help keep them cool in the summer heat.
4. Teach Your Child About Food Allergies
In addition to alerting your child’s camp to food allergies, teach your child which foods they should avoid. Ideally, they will receive a separate lunch, and it won’t be an issue, but you should also remind your child not to share food with other kids.
By following the above tips, your child can enjoy summer camp with minimal symptoms. For more information about managing their allergies, contact Ear, Nose and Throat Associates today.
[1] Indiana Code § 16-41-43 (2015). Emergency administration of epinephrine. https://statecodesfiles.justia.com/indiana/2015/title-16/article-41/chapter-43/chapter-43.pdf