May 20, 2014
Vancouver, BC – On the heels of Food Allergy Awareness Week, Vancouver’s Zajac Ranch for Children is thrilled to announce they will be holding a summer sleep-away camp geared toward children with severe food allergies from August 25-29, 2014. Zajac Ranch, located at Stave Lake near Mission, BC, has been running summer camps for children with disabilities and life-threatening conditions since 2004.
For more information about the camp, or to register your child, please email [email protected]. Or visit www.zajacranch.com. The camp welcomes children aged 7-17, and can also accommodate non-allergic siblings and friends.
Individuals with severe food allergies must practice strict avoidance of allergic foods, making eating cafeteria meals at a remote camp location difficult, if not impossible, especially when multiple foods must be avoided.
In consultation with Dr. Edmond Chan, BC Children’s Hospital pediatric allergist, Zajac Ranch’s chefs will carefully plan meals and snacks that are free of the top 10 allergens, and will also be able to accommodate children with celiac disease, a condition necessitating strict avoidance of gluten. Allergic children will be able to eat freely at mealtime, a welcome change from constantly asking questions about ingredients and food labels. In addition, camp staff will be specially trained to deal with any allergic reactions that might occur.
Over the past 10 years, Zajac Ranch has been providing enriching camp experiences to children and youth with conditions such as autism, diabetes, epilepsy, visual impairment, and Down’s syndrome. Utilizing specialized staff, facilities and equipment, the camp allows children to participate in rock climbing, canoeing, and archery, among many other activities, developing their social skills and self-confidence in a group of like-minded peers.
The Metro Vancouver Anaphylaxis Group, a support group for people living with life-threatening food allergies, is helping to promote the camp. One group member who has already registered her daughter, commented on how excited she was about a camp where her eight year old would be able to eat anything on the menu without needing to ask questions. “It’s amazing to think that for once, she will feel totally included when it comes to food,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for her, as well as for me, because of the peace of mind that comes with knowing that all the food will be allergy-safe.”
Zajac Ranch’s mission is to develop and operate an accessible, innovative and full-service facility that welcomes children and young adults facing chronic, life-threatening or debilitating conditions. For more information, please visit www.ZajacRanch.com, or email [email protected].
The Metro Vancouver Anaphylaxis Group, created in 2009, is a volunteer parent-run group whose focus is to provide support for those at risk of anaphylaxis through building understanding, educating others and providing information and resources to its members. Everyone who is at risk of anaphylaxis or looks after someone at risk of anaphylaxis is encouraged to become a member. For more information, please visit www.VancouverAnaphylaxis.com, www.Facebook.com/groups/vancouveranaphylaxis, or email [email protected].