June 16-21, 2008

Did you enjoy summer camp as a child? Or perhaps you never had the opportunity to attend camp, but you've been hoping your child would have the opportunity to learn and grow in a summer camp environment! This can be difficult, even impossible, if your child struggles with food related health problems. That is why Camp Westminster is offering a week of gluten and casein free camp this summer. 

Whether your child has allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances, we hope to meet their needs. The food prepared for GFCF camp will be free of gluten, casein, milk, lactose, wheat, oats, rye, barley, peanuts, and derivatives of these foods. Food preparation will be handled by people with experience in special needs cooking. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions.   

Is your camp kitchen always gluten and casein free?  How will you prepare the kitchen?
The camp kitchen is not gluten and casein free year round. It will be gluten and casein free during the week of GFCF camp. Prior to the start of camp, the kitchen will be thoroughly cleaned in an effort to prevent cross contamination from wheat flour dust on shelving, counters, and storage areas. Staple foods that may have been exposed to wheat flour (example: bag of sugar) will be put away, and new containers will be used for GFCF camp. Clean up will be supervised by people familiar with food related health issues, and once clean up is complete, the kitchen will remain GFCF until the close of GFCF Camp.

Who will be cooking?  What is their experience with special food preparation?
Pam Jann and Deanna Seng will be planning the menu and supervising all food preparation, as well as training and educating the kitchen staff. They have approximately 10 years of experience handling food related health issues, including multiple food sensitivities. They coordinate a support group in Howell, MI that specializes in gluten and casein free dietary intervention and education. If you have any food related camp questions, please contact them: Deanna Seng dkseng99@voyager.net or Pam Jann pamelajann@hotmail.com.

Our family is gluten free, but we drink milk.  What will my child drink at camp?
We understand that not everyone attending this camp avoids milk. The following milk choices will be available for drinking and cereal: Cow milk, Soy milk, Rice milk, Almond milk, and potato based Dari Free. Please make sure you fill out the food questionnaire for each camper you are sending to assist us in our planning. This will also help us answer your child's questions regarding what they should be drinking. All baked goods and prepared foods will be milk free.

Can you accommodate food sensitivities in addition to gluten and casein?
That depends on which sensitivities you are dealing with, and how many additional sensitivities there are.  Contact Pam or Deanna to discuss your individual situation, and we'll see what we can do.

What foods will you be serving?
The menu is still being planned, but it will be available approximately one month prior to the start of camp. The menu will include many camp favorites. There will also be a sponsor/donor list available, as several manufacturers have expressed an interest in providing specialty foods for GFCF camp.  

Can you accommodate children with special needs, such as autism?
Camp Westminster is a mainstream church camp. At this time, we are not able to provide for special needs beyond a gluten and casein free diet. Any child registered should be able to participate in camp activities without specialized assistance. If you have questions about whether or not Camp Westminster will be a good fit for your child, contact the camp office at 313.341.8969 or email info@campwestminster.com. 

Will there be a nurse on site during GFCF camp?
Yes, there will be a Registered Nurse on site during GFCF camp.