My Camper has a Dietary Restriction, What Will She Eat While at Camp?

At Camp Alleghany, we understand the importance of catering to diverse dietary needs, and we take these concerns seriously to ensure that every camper enjoys a safe and delicious dining experience.

Dedicated Support for Dietary Needs

One of the key assurances we provide is the presence of a chef exclusively dedicated to handling special diets. In addition to this, we have a Special Diets Manager who oversees the meticulous planning and execution of specialized meals. Whether your camper follows a vegetarian diet, has allergies or intolerances to specific foods like gluten or lactose, or has other dietary restrictions, rest assured that we are committed to accommodating these needs.

The Food Allergy/Dietary Restriction Agreement

To streamline and formalize our commitment to meeting dietary requirements, we have established the Food Allergy/Dietary Restriction Agreement. This agreement serves two primary purposes:

  • Strict Adherence to Dietary Restrictions: We ensure that your camper’s dietary restrictions are met with the utmost care and attention. This includes offering substitutes for allergens or ingredients that your child needs to avoid.
  • Inclusive Meal Options: We strive to make mealtimes a shared and enjoyable experience for all campers. This means going beyond merely meeting restrictions and actively seeking to provide similar foods to those enjoyed by the rest of the camp. For instance, if it’s pancake day, gluten-free pancakes will be available, or on hamburger days, a veggie or soy-based burger will be provided.

Medical Conditions and Special Considerations

For campers with dietary restrictions arising from medical conditions, such as Celiac disease or allergies requiring an epi-pen, we understand the critical nature of these needs. In such cases, there is no additional fee or charge for substitute or alternative foods. We request that your camper’s physician confirm the medical necessity of the dietary restriction on the Health Form. To ensure our campers’ safety, our medical staff is present at all meal times with necessary medications should there be a need.

Understanding the Fee Structure

Recognizing that accommodating certain dietary choices involves purchasing pricier substitute foods, we have implemented a fee structure for non-medical dietary restrictions. A fee of $15 per week is applied only when your camper opts for substitute foods due to choices like vegetarianism or personal preferences. This fee helps cover the increased cost of allergen-free or meat-free alternatives such as eggs, dairy, gluten, meat, peanuts, tree nuts, and soy.

It’s important to note that this fee is only applicable when a camper specifically requests substitute foods. If your child is content with the available options on the table or at the salad bar without needing a substitute, there is no additional charge.

Contact Us for Clarifications

We understand that each camper’s situation is unique. If you have any questions or concerns regarding dietary accommodations, please feel free to reach out to our office at info@campalleghany.com. We are here to provide clarity and ensure that your camper’s dietary needs are met to the best of our ability.

More Questions?

Follow along on our Blog this spring as we answer more of our Frequently Asked Questions! Or if you want more answers, visit our FAQ page or email us with specific questions.