YMCA Camp Cory Makes Allergy Safety a Priority

Summer camp brings sun, fun, and friendships—but for families with children who have life-threatening allergies, it can also come with an extra layer of concern.

Parents need to know that the people caring for their children understand their allergies, that meals can be prepared safely, and that staff are ready to respond if a reaction occurs.

At YMCA Camp Cory, that preparation is built into everyday operations.

The 105-year-old camp is part of the YMCA of Greater Rochester and welcomes approximately 400 day and overnight campers each week during the summer. In addition, about 120 staff members live on site.

Executive Director Patrick Foster estimated that about 40 campers—10 percent—in attendance the week we spoke had a food allergy or other dietary restriction.

“I have two things on my clipboard at any given time and one of them is everybody’s allergies because you just have to be on top of it,” he said.

Making Meals Safe—and Inclusive

Camp Cory works with a food service company that specializes in serving children. Each Sunday morning, Patrick provides the kitchen with a list of campers’ dietary restrictions to make sure everyone is prepared.

Preventing cross-contact is part of the process. Staff change gloves and move to a separate preparation area when necessary to make meals for campers with food allergies. Children and staff are also given information about ingredients in the foods being served.

Inclusivity is important as well, including providing an equivalent alternative. The goal isn't simply to give children with allergies something they can safely eat but to help them feel included in the camp experience.

Patrick gave the example of meatball subs which contain egg. A camper with an egg allergy can still have a sub because a safe variation is prepared separately, wrapped, and ready to serve.

“If a kid wants to have a meatball sub and they’re allergic to eggs, they should be able to have a meatball sub,” he said.

Understanding Parents' Concerns

Patrick's commitment to allergy safety is also personal. His son has severe nut and egg allergies, giving him firsthand experience with the concerns parents face when someone else is responsible for their child's food.

He remembers discovering his son's egg allergy when he was an infant.

“It’s terrifying,” he said. “And you just want to make sure that it’s not repeated.”

Camp Cory communicates with families about children's specific dietary needs and parents can also send safe snacks for their kids.

He wants families to know that camp staff are taking the same kind of precautions they take at home including carefully checking ingredients and paying attention to how food is prepared.

“I think the biggest successes that I’ve had is when families feel like they’ve got a safe advocate for their kids when their children have a severe food allergy,” he said.

A Commitment That Has Grown Over Time

Patrick first came to Camp Cory when he was 10 years old and has watched the camp's—and the world's—approach to food allergies evolve over the years.

“There was a time where allergies were kind of an afterthought,” he said, remembering when someone with food allergies was told they could have a salad instead of the regular meal.

For him, that began to change around 2010 and 2011, when conversations with parents about food allergies became increasingly common. By the mid-2010s, Camp Cory had made a commitment to accommodate campers' dietary restrictions within the capabilities of its kitchen. While the camp isn't equipped to serve kosher food, it always has vegetarian and gluten-free choices in addition to options for those with severe food allergies.

Preparedness extends beyond food service. Camp staff are first aid certified, two registered nurses live on site, and epinephrine auto-injectors are stocked in the camp infirmary.

Making Sure Food Isn't a Barrier

Patrick acknowledges that accommodating food allergies requires some additional time and changes in routine, but he believes making those accommodations is essential.

“It’s not that hard,” he said. “For youth-serving organizations, you’ve got to do it. And that’s just where the population is going. You’re seeing more food allergies.”

For Camp Cory, allergy safety is ultimately about giving children the opportunity to enjoy camp without food allergies preventing them from fully participating.

“Kids deserve to have a great experience,” he said. “You don’t want food to be the barrier to that.”

About the Author

Kristen Stewart is the Communications Manager for Allergy Advocates New York, where she writes about allergies, anaphylaxis, advocacy, and practical resources for individuals, families, and communities.