According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50 percent between 1997 and 2011¹. And, many of these children attend camp. Are you ready?

It is important for all camps to evaluate their ability to serve campers with allergies – no matter if the allergies are considered mild or severe. As with most things related to camp, partnering with the parents is critical in order to have a clear understanding of the full scope of the allergies and implications. In an historic judgment in 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice ruled that food allergies may constitute a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The American Camp Association has gathered together and maintains a list resources to help you understand the laws and plan a safe and healthy camp food service program. 

In a companion piece, ACA monitors and shares information regarding the accessibility of epinephrine auto-injectors at camp.

¹Jackson K. et al. Trends in Allergic Conditions among Children: United States, 1997- 2011. National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db121.htm