Food Allergy Info and Parent Questionnaire for Blue Rill Day Camp, serving Rockland and Bergen Counties and Manhattan

Frequently Asked Food Questions

What is BLUE RILL’s food allergy/issue philosophy?

Blue Rill is very aware of the increasing number of children with food allergies and issues, and our goal is to provide a safe and successful summer experience for all campers. Our Food Allergy Coordinator, Jill, (a mom of a child with severe food allergies) manages campers with food concerns and oversees all food related activities and events. Jill is extremely knowledgeable and sets up a food action plan for children with all the major food allergies including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, wheat (celiac), soy, fish and shellfish, as well as seeds, food dyes, etc.

How does BLUE RILL handle allergy issues?

Prior to the start of camp, parents are asked to complete a Food Questionnaire so we can gather information regarding the camper’s allergies and your input on how to best handle your child’s needs.
Depending upon the severity of the allergy, you may meet with Jill, one of our nurses and your child’s group staff to review the appropriate protocol.
During the camp season, Jill is in constant contact with you via phone calls, emails and letters to keep you updated on what is happening with your child in regards to food at camp.
There is a list of available lunch and snack bar options in the Current Families section of our website.
Our 2010 cooking recipes as well as an ingredient list of all lunch, snack bar snacks and ice cream/ices are available upon request.
A letter is sent home to the families of the other children in the group to let them know a camper in their child’s group has a food related issue.
We ask that you leave an Epi-Pen prescribed by your physician at camp. Blue Rill also has Benadryl and Epi-Pens for use in an emergency.

How does BLUE RILL train staff regarding allergies?

Blue Rill’s Health Director oversees our staff of registered nurses and EMTs. Our Health Director, nurses, EMTs and leadership team are all trained in the use of an Epi-Pen. Any time campers travel off the camp facility (campers 2nd grade and older) one of our medical staff or Epi-Pen trained Division Leaders accompanies them.

Blue Rill’s staff is dependable, trustworthy, caring and enthusiastic. Staff that have children with allergies in their group are instructed by the Health Director, Food Allergy Coordinator and Division Leader on exactly how to manage the camper’s needs.

Is BLUE RILL nut free?

Blue Rill does not serve products with peanuts or tree nuts at any camp related activities. However, please be aware that campers have the option of bringing lunch and snacks from home. We do send home a letter to each group with a peanut or tree nut allergic camper, to have parents either label their child’s lunch bag appropriately or refrain from sending in those products.

When is food consumed at camp?

LUNCH: Campers have three lunch options:

Pre-purchase our lunch package for your child’s full session and have a Blue Rill lunch entrée choice, fruit and snack every day.
Pre-purchase BLUE BUCKS, our lunch and snack vouchers, and use them to buy lunch and/or snacks any day you wish.
Bring your own brown bag lunch from home, which is refrigerated upon arrival.

No matter which option you choose, Blue Rill provides complimentary milk, juice or an 8 oz. water bottle for every camper. For both of our pre-purchase options, each day your child may choose from pizza, grilled cheese, kosher hot dog, chicken fillet sandwich, chicken nuggets, turkey sandwich, small tossed salad, or a bagel and yogurt combination. Jill can supply a list of ingredients for all lunch entrées. Lunch table accommodations can be made as needed.

SNACKS: We sell snacks in the morning and at lunch for campers wishing to purchase them. A chart of all of the available snacks and allergens they may contain is available so you and your child will know which are safe treats to purchase. We do not sell any items containing peanuts or tree nuts, however a few of the treats may be labeled as “may contain” or “made on the same equipment as” and those items are clearly labeled at the snack bar. Younger campers are always accompanied by a counselor when purchasing snacks.

ICE CREAM SNACKS: We serve ices and ice cream each day. They do not contain any nuts. Jill checks all labels and sends allergen information to you prior to the start of camp. Group staff are informed which snacks are safe for a camper with food issues. You may also leave a snack in the freezer in the nurses’ office.

COOKING: All campers participate in our cooking program. Jill checks the contents of all the ingredients being used. The cooking staff does its best to adjust the recipes as needed and create a safe version for campers with food issues. This way, campers can have the “same thing” as non-allergic campers. Separate bowls and utensils are used. You can also send in an alternative snack if you prefer. Recipes are sent to parents before the start of camp. All of our recipes are nut free.

SPECIAL EVENTS: There is one special event during summer that involves food. No peanuts or tree nuts are used in any of the food served. You will be notified before the event to inform you of what is involved. Usually, an ingredient can be left out or modified to accommodate your child or you may send a substitute to camp. Jill attends all food related events in camp.

CARNIVAL: All campers may choose from allergy friendly cotton candy, snow-cones, Lays potato chips, Rold Gold pretzels and/or Nabisco graham crackers.

BUS: Food is not allowed on the buses.

BIRTHDAY TREATS: Campers with summer birthdays often bring treats to celebrate with their Blue Rill friends. A letter goes home asking parents of children in groups with an allergic child to call Jill to discuss what snacks will be safe for the group. If a viable substitute can’t be selected, Jill will contact you so you can send in a safe treat for your child. You may always leave safe snacks at camp which are held in the nurses’ office.

Blue Rill’s goal is to provide a safe and successful summer for all campers! Contact us any time you have questions or concerns!

Click here to complete the Food Allergy Questionnaire.

Camper Medical Form Lunch/Snack Information Summer 2010 Parent Visits Food Allergy Info and Parent Questionnaire

	Frequently Asked Food Questions What is BLUE RILL’s food allergy/issue philosophy? Blue Rill is very aware of the increasing number of children with food allergies and issues, and our goal is to provide a safe and successful summer experience for all campers. Our Food Allergy Coordinator, Jill, (a mom of a child with severe food allergies) manages campers with food concerns and oversees all food related activities and events. Jill is extremely knowledgeable and sets up a food action plan for children with all the major food allergies including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, egg, wheat (celiac), soy, fish and shellfish, as well as seeds, food dyes, etc. How does BLUE RILL handle allergy issues? Prior to the start of camp, parents are asked to complete a Food Questionnaire so we can gather information regarding the camper’s allergies and your input on how to best handle your child’s needs. Depending upon the severity of the allergy, you may meet with Jill, one of our nurses and your child’s group staff to review the appropriate protocol. During the camp season, Jill is in constant contact with you via phone calls, emails and letters to keep you updated on what is happening with your child in regards to food at camp. There is a list of available lunch and snack bar options in the Current Families section of our website. Our 2010 cooking recipes as well as an ingredient list of all lunch, snack bar snacks and ice cream/ices are available upon request. A letter is sent home to the families of the other children in the group to let them know a camper in their child’s group has a food related issue. We ask that you leave an Epi-Pen prescribed by your physician at camp. Blue Rill also has Benadryl and Epi-Pens for use in an emergency. How does BLUE RILL train staff regarding allergies? Blue Rill’s Health Director oversees our staff of registered nurses and EMTs. Our Health Director, nurses, EMTs and leadership team are all trained in the use of an Epi-Pen. Any time campers travel off the camp facility (campers 2nd grade and older) one of our medical staff or Epi-Pen trained Division Leaders accompanies them. Blue Rill’s staff is dependable, trustworthy, caring and enthusiastic. Staff that have children with allergies in their group are instructed by the Health Director, Food Allergy Coordinator and Division Leader on exactly how to manage the camper’s needs. Is BLUE RILL nut free? Blue Rill does not serve products with peanuts or tree nuts at any camp related activities. However, please be aware that campers have the option of bringing lunch and snacks from home. We do send home a letter to each group with a peanut or tree nut allergic camper, to have parents either label their child’s lunch bag appropriately or refrain from sending in those products. When is food consumed at camp? LUNCH: Campers have three lunch options: Pre-purchase our lunch package for your child’s full session and have a Blue Rill lunch entrée choice, fruit and snack every day. Pre-purchase BLUE BUCKS, our lunch and snack vouchers, and use them to buy lunch and/or snacks any day you wish. Bring your own brown bag lunch from home, which is refrigerated upon arrival. No matter which option you choose, Blue Rill provides complimentary milk, juice or an 8 oz. water bottle for every camper. For both of our pre-purchase options, each day your child may choose from pizza, grilled cheese, kosher hot dog, chicken fillet sandwich, chicken nuggets, turkey sandwich, small tossed salad, or a bagel and yogurt combination. Jill can supply a list of ingredients for all lunch entrées. Lunch table accommodations can be made as needed. SNACKS: We sell snacks in the morning and at lunch for campers wishing to purchase them. A chart of all of the available snacks and allergens they may contain is available so you and your child will know which are safe treats to purchase. We do not sell any items containing peanuts or tree nuts, however a few of the treats may be labeled as “may contain” or “made on the same equipment as” and those items are clearly labeled at the snack bar. Younger campers are always accompanied by a counselor when purchasing snacks. ICE CREAM SNACKS: We serve ices and ice cream each day. They do not contain any nuts. Jill checks all labels and sends allergen information to you prior to the start of camp. Group staff are informed which snacks are safe for a camper with food issues. You may also leave a snack in the freezer in the nurses’ office. COOKING: All campers participate in our cooking program. Jill checks the contents of all the ingredients being used. The cooking staff does its best to adjust the recipes as needed and create a safe version for campers with food issues. This way, campers can have the “same thing” as non-allergic campers. Separate bowls and utensils are used. You can also send in an alternative snack if you prefer. Recipes are sent to parents before the start of camp. All of our recipes are nut free. SPECIAL EVENTS: There is one special event during summer that involves food. No peanuts or tree nuts are used in any of the food served. You will be notified before the event to inform you of what is involved. Usually, an ingredient can be left out or modified to accommodate your child or you may send a substitute to camp. Jill attends all food related events in camp. CARNIVAL: All campers may choose from allergy friendly cotton candy, snow-cones, Lays potato chips, Rold Gold pretzels and/or Nabisco graham crackers. BUS: Food is not allowed on the buses. BIRTHDAY TREATS: Campers with summer birthdays often bring treats to celebrate with their Blue Rill friends. A letter goes home asking parents of children in groups with an allergic child to call Jill to discuss what snacks will be safe for the group. If a viable substitute can’t be selected, Jill will contact you so you can send in a safe treat for your child. You may always leave safe snacks at camp which are held in the nurses’ office. Blue Rill’s goal is to provide a safe and successful summer for all campers! Contact us any time you have questions or concerns! Click here to complete the Food Allergy Questionnaire.