Ep 238 Sue Goes Back to Camp Celiac

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

Two weeks in August was the culmination of a many hours of work by dedicated volunteers to make Camp Celiac 2022 happen.  I was a member of the Menu Committee and along with others we worked and re-worked a menu for the camp that would be exciting for celiac and non-celiac kids alike.  The force behind camp celiac is Carmen, a member of the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association.  Carmen spent the most time of the two weeks at camp.  I, and a few others were there for designated days.  Once the hard work of the menu was completed, we reached out to gluten free food partners to supply some of the specialty food.  Our food partners were amazing with their donations, that allowed us to present meals that were enthusiastically enjoyed by all.  For more information on Camp Celiac you can go to their website https://www.campceliac.ca/  You can also join the Camp Celiac facebook group.  If you’d like more information on volunteering for next year, or if you are interested in what it takes to start a camp for celiac kids near you, please email me and we can start a conversation – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you’ll know that Camp Celiac is not the first celiac camp I’ve helped with.  There are many different formats for a summer camp that cater to the special dietary requirements of children.  There are day camps, half-day camps, sleep over camps for kids with a variety of special needs, including a special diet.  Many of these camps rely at least somewhat on the efforts of volunteers. 

Each of these different types of camps have a few things in common.  Firstly, to give the children a typical “camp” experience, regardless of their limitations or dietary requirements; secondly, to help campers feel part of a group that is more than just a restrictive diet; and, thirdly to encourage campers to make friends with other campers who they wouldn’t have crossed paths with (or at least not having had much in common).

In the case of Camp Celiac, everything outside of the dining hall is the full-on camp experience.  Campers partake in all sorts of activities and challenge themselves personally, and as part of a group to achieve things that maybe they wouldn’t, or couldn’t have tried outside of camp.

The concept of making friends is, I think the most important thing campers can achieve during their stay at camp, any camp.  In the case of Camp Celiac, a camper may not have ever met another celiac child, let alone one that enjoys polar bear dips and archery.  Being a kid with celiac disease, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity is hard.  These kids need all the support they can get.  Some of the best support is from their peers.  Just as our kids won’t tell us some of their most personal thoughts, but will talk for hours with their close friends, some of the discomfort of growing up gluten free is best shared with a friend, one who uniquely understands.

Having seen celiac kids at the beginning of their camp week and comparing it to the personal growth that has taken place by the end of camp, the experience gives kids more confidence in themselves, their condition and their diet.  Just like the memories from camp, these positive changes can last a lifetime.