Policies and Procedures

Be sure your child knows his/her food allergies or special diet, the symptoms and signs of a possible allergic reaction, as well as what to do if they experience any reaction, no matter how small. Educate your camper regarding the self-management responsibilities of his/her food allergy or special diet. 

Things your camper should know and do:

• Know safe and unsafe foods for his/her diet.
• Have strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods.
• Recognize symptoms of allergic reactions.
• Never eat anything if they are unsure of the ingredients.
• Never share food with others.
• Ask a counselor or food service staff member if they are unsure about what is safe to eat.
• Know how and when to tell an adult about a possible allergic response.
• Know how to read a food label, especially those at the Beehive.

Your camper should understand that meals are served family style, but he/she must come up to the serving window to obtain his/her option to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and to find out from the kitchen staff what is safe to eat at the table and what is not. Never assume or think you know what ingredients are in an item. If you are unsure always ask a kitchen staff member. The camper should:

• Thoroughly wash his or her hands before and after meals.
• NEVER trade food with other campers.
• NEVER eat anything with unknown ingredients.
• Read every label and/or check with a counselor when purchasing food at the Beehive.
• Seek help from his/her counselor or staff member if there is a reaction, even if it is mild.

You should clearly describe your camper’s food allergy or special dietary need on his/her medical form. Include a list of foods to which your camper is allergic, and the specific symptoms he/she typically experiences during an allergic reaction. It is the parent's responsibility to both ensure all medical information is up to date and educate your camper regarding the self-management responsibilities of their food allergy or special diet (see Camper Responsibilities, above).

To review your camper's medical information, access your account and click "View Itineraries".

We ensure that all kitchen staff members are trained in food handling safety to avoid cross-contamination. The kitchen will obtain a list of students with food allergies or special diets from the health center staff and maintain knowledge of which food products contain allergens. 

During meals that are outside of the dining hall (Wrangler Breakfast, Smores, Overnight camping trips, etc.) the following precautions are followed:

• Emergency medications and authorizations accompany the camper and/or counselor.
• The trip kitchen supervisor receives a special diet/food allergy list from the health services staff, packs options for campers with special dietary needs and takes special precautions to avoid cross contamination.
• The counselor has access to information regarding their camper and his/her food allergy or special diet.
• The counselor has the ability to call/contact emergency assistance.
• During outside of the dining hall meals campers are expected to use the same precautions they use inside the dining hall.
• They should always ask their counselor about ingredients and never eat anything if they are unsure about what is in it.
• They should never share food with others.

Health services staff will confirm and share the list of all food allergy and special dietary needs with counseling, kitchen, and trip kitchen staff. All medications will be kept by health services staff and administer when necessary. 

The nursing staff will insure all counseling staff is trained and informed on how to notice the symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to respond to allergic reactions. 

• Review signs and symptoms of allergic reactions with the health services staff during summer training and before each new session.
• Introduce the campers with food allergies or special dietary needs to the kitchen staff and review with them the dining hall procedures.
• Remind all students to thoroughly wash their hands before and after meals.
• Assure the camper with food allergies or a special diet is taken care of first or is served first if necessary.
• Notify health services staff immediately of any suspected reaction, no matter how mild.