This checklist helps both camp staff and groups attending camps (usually schools) prepare for a safer camp for people at risk of anaphylaxis. The list is meant as a guide and does not include all safety measures. There is more information in our E-book: Preparing for Camp with Food Allergies.

BEFORE CAMP

• The school coordinator who will attend the camp and the camp coordinator must discuss management of any students who have potentially life-threatening allergies weeks before the camp. They must discuss roles, responsibilities, and the allergy policy.
• School is to send camp copies of ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis or ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions so camp staff know which students have allergies and can plan how to manage them.
• The parent of the student with food allergy and the cook should communicate by phone and email to plan the best way to manage that student’s food allergy at camp. Management will depend on many things such as the age and maturity of the child and what food/s they are allergic to. The school should be told about the communication between the parent and the camp and the plan for managing the child's food allergy while on camp.
• Consider these options:
  • Can food allergens be removed or reduced? (Remember: If a food is removed from the menu, this is not a food ban. Food bans do not work and are not to be trusted).
  • The parent/student with food allergy could supply their own food in a container with their first and last name clearly labelled This may be the safest option for students with multiple food allergies. If this option is chosen, there must be steps in place for safe storage, preparation and serving of their clearly labelled food.
  • Are students allowed to bring snacks and treats from home? How will this be managed keeping the safety of student/s with food allergy in mind?
  • If the student is primary school age and has multiple food allergies or difficult to manage food allergy or other special needs, the school/camp can consider asking the student's parent to attend.
• School and camp must make sure there is a camp “Emergency Response Plan.” This is different to the ASCIA Action Plan. A camp emergency response plan should include information about things like mobile phone reception and emergency access to the people on the camp (for example, whether there is space for a rescue helicopter to land if needed). Practise your emergency response plan at least twice a year like you would practise a fire drill.

TRAINING FOR CAMP AND SCHOOL STAFF

There are two types of training available. The first should be done by ALL staff. The second should be done by any staff who prepare, serve and supervise meals.

1. Training to prevent, recognise and treat anaphylaxis. This is free and available online - ASCIA Anaphylaxis e-training. This should be done at least every 2 years. A 15-minute free online refresher course is also available and should be done at least every 6 months - ASCIA Anaphylaxis refresher e-training . Refresher training should also include hands-on practise with adrenaline injector trainer devices. These can be purchased here.

NOTE: All camp and school staff need to do what they can to prevent anaphylaxis and should know how to recognize and treat allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, when they happen. Therefore, all staff should do anaphylaxis training at least every two years.

2. Training to safely prepare and serve meals for people with food allergy. All camp or school staff who order, prepare, serve, and supervise meals at camps should do the free online All About Allergens for Camps This should be done at least every 2 years.

AT CAMP

• Camp coordinator to be introduced to student/s with food allergy and the school coordinator at the beginning of camp.
• All school and camp staff should know which students are at risk of anaphylaxis to food, insect, latex, or other causes. This includes students who have a red ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and adrenaline (epinephrine) injectors prescribed (such as EpiPen®, Anapen®) and students who have a green ASCIA Action Plan for Allergic Reactions who do not have an adrenaline injector prescribed but still have a small chance of having anaphylaxis.
• Games, rewards, and activities should not involve any foods students are allergic to.
• Always have students’ adrenaline injectors and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis close by (either in unlocked central location or with the student/their group supervisor).
• Each student with an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis should bring their TWO prescribed adrenaline injectors to camp. The adrenaline injectors should be clearly labelled with the student’s name.
• The school should also bring a general use adrenaline injector to camp if available.
• Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) encourages camps to have at least one adrenaline injector for general use stored in their first aid kit with an ASCIA First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis.
• On arrival at camp, school and camp staff and student (when age appropriate) must discuss where each student’s emergency medication is kept and who will be responsible for carrying the emergency medication on activities.
• If there are non-teaching staff attending the camp (such as parent volunteers) they should not be responsible for students at risk of anaphylaxis unless it is their child.

MEALTIMES

• Be aware of cross contamination of foods during storage, preparation, cooking and serving.
• Always keep food packaging labels so food content can be checked. If food, such as bread from a bakery, arrives without a label, call the manufacturer, and ask for printed ingredient list.
• Older students read labels of any packaged foods before eating. Camp staff and teachers should always read labels of food for children aged 12 and under.
• Foods with Precautionary Allergen Labelling (PAL) statements (such as "may contain traces of") should not be given to students allergic to that particular food. These foods may be served to other students at the camp.
• Camp coordinator or nominated camp staff as well as school staff are to be available at mealtimes to help read labels, check food and supervise delivery of the correct meals free of food allergens to correct students with food allergy.
• Ensure teachers/camp staff supervise mealtimes and students understand they need to tell a teacher/camp staff if they are feeling sick.
• When students are helping at mealtimes, give the student with food allergy “safer” jobs to do such as setting the table rather than clearing dirty dishes.

Checks specific to insect allergy:

• Mow grass areas before arrival of students if possible.
• Get professional pest control staff to remove insect nests when no students are present.
• Have insect repellent available (containing DEET).
• Have a MUST wear shoes when outside policy except when swimming.
• Stay away from bees/wasp nests/ant mounds if possible.
• Avoid areas with lots of *ticks if possible. Check students for ticks after activity.
• Always cover drinks when outside and check cups and drink bottles for bees/wasps before drinking.

*(See tick specific information at www.tiara.org.au.)

What we say to children with food allergy:

• Wash hands before and after eating.
• Don’t take food from your friends unless a trusted adult says it is OK.
• Always check that your food does not contain your food allergen– tell people offering food you have a food allergy and ask to read food labels (or get a trusted adult to read labels for you).
• If you are not sure about what is in a food, do not eat it.
• Ask for help from staff straight away if you feel sick or have any signs of an allergic reaction. Ask friends to get help if no staff are close by.
• Sit on the ground with legs out in front of you (not in a chair with legs hanging down) if you think you are having anaphylaxis.
• Always have medication close by (easily accessible).
• Follow instructions on the ASCIA Action Plan.

What we say to friends of children with food allergy

• Know what your friend is allergic to.
• Don’t share food with your friends with food allergy.
• Wash hands after eating.
• Don’t tease, trick, or make fun of your friend with severe allergy. Be respectful of your friend’s food allergy.
• If your friend looks sick, get an adult straight away even if your friend does not want you to.
• Take allergy seriously.

AFTER CAMP

• Always review the management of those at risk of anaphylaxis once the camp is over. If an allergic reaction happened at camp, review what caused the allergic reaction and make changes to help make sure that the thing that led to the allergic reaction does not happen again. Also review what safety steps are in place if a “near miss” happened. How the allergic reaction was managed should also be reviewed in case changes need to be made.

FURTHER RESOURCES

E-book: Preparing for Camp with Food Allergies

Webinar: Managing your child’s food allergy at camp

If you have a specific query, call Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia on 1300 728 000 or visit us at www.allergyfacts.org.au

The Best Practice Guidelines for Anaphylaxis Prevention and Management in Schools are found on the Allergy Aware website at allergyaware.org.au.

A&AA© 2023

Content created March 2023