Research has now confirmed what anyone with a gluten-free child probably already knew: being around other kids with the same dietary restrictions helps GF kids feel normal. Kids who attend dedicated a gluten free summer camp are buoyed even further. They leave the experience with a more positive outlook and self-perception, as well as an improved sense of well-being and emotional outlook.
“All seemed to benefit from camp, no longer feeling different from other kids or feeling frustrated with a restricted diet,” reported researchers in the journal Pediatrics. While all of the children enjoyed the camp experience, those who had been on a gluten-free diet for less than four years benefited the most. These children left camp no longer feeling embarrassed or isolated from other kids because of their restricted diet. Campers also learned new coping mechanisms from others in camp who had been living gluten free for a longer time.
All this is to say that gluten-free camp is a worthwhile endeavor; luckily many camps around the country are answering the call! There are even “camperships” available to help those who could not otherwise afford to attend.
♦Tune into my Gluten-Free Voice radio interview with Celiac Disease Foundation Director Marilyn Geller to learn more about how some of these programs work.
♦Click through to see the listing of Gluten Free Summer Camps around the U.S.
♦Click to see the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) of North America’s list of summer camps
♦Click through for Alisa Fleming’s 2018 List of Camps for Food Allergic, Vegan and Gluten Free Kids
♦Click through for Gluten Free Living’s 2018 List of Camps for Gluten Free Kids
♦Click through for the National Celiac Association’s List of Camps for Gluten Free Kids
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Either a chicken or tuna salad with rice crackers, a fruit salad, veggies, and a treat!
I would pack some gluten free sandwiches, fruit salad, and some chocolate chip cookies made with your delicious cookie mix!
Oh My! So many things! I have not been on a picnic in Yrs. and LOVE them. I would put some homemade meatballs and green bean wraps with a nice taco salad, some fresh fruit and Jules Lemon Bars along with some Honey sweetened Iced tea!
Organic corn, watermelon, shrimp, sweet potatoes, asparagus, avocados… All can be grilled–haven’t tried grilling watermelon though.
Our homemade hot dogs!
I would pack some gluten free crackers, goat cheese, sliced meats, olives, cut up veggies, fruit, wine and gluten free muffins or scones. That would be a perfect picnic for two.
mmm… some roast beef sandwiches, some kind of salad, some yummy punch maybe, and a delicious pastry of some sort!
I would pack some fruit, veggies, GF sandwiches, and some GF cookies in my picnic basket.
Sandwiches on homemade gluten free bread, fresh fruits and veggies and some homemade gluten free brownies!
Sandwiches on gluten-free bread, fresh fruit, tortilla chips, and hummus.
I would bring gluten free scones and tea cakes along with some iced tea and petite fours! this is my fantasy gluten free picnic
I would pack teriyaki chicken sandwiches, quinoa salad, and cream cheese swirl brownies in my basket.
I would put in gluten free bread or buns and hot dogs and sandwich fixings as well as homemade potato salad and gluten free desserts.
I would have strawberries, blueberries, gluten free angel food cake, gluten free bread, jam, sun butter and water.
I am so happy that Rudi’s wraps/tortilla’s are soft and don’t have a ton of calories so I would probably bring a bunch of wraps like grilled chicken, or ham. If I had made extra “oven fried chicken” I might put that in a wrap with some spinch and grape salad and a chipotle buttermilk dressing.
GF chocolate chip cookies!
i would put fruit, homemade black bean burgers to grill. rolls made with Jules flour, toss salad and homemade ice tea in my new picnic basket!
Hi there, for my gluten free basket I would have some chicken with carmakized onion and Swiss burgers, Rudi’s gluten free buns. Pack some corn on the cob in soaked husks to grill, fruit salad with berries, cherries, melons and grapes. Maybe some gluten free bacon wrapped walnuts and dates for fancy grilled appetizer, maybe a nice cheddar or hummus with veggies and gluten free crackers! And of course the wine!!’
I would put a fruit salad, brown rice chips, hummus, and gf-chocolate chip cookies in my picnic basket
My daughter has attended Camp Celiac in RI since she was 9. It has been a wonderful experience for her. The fact that she would rather go to camp instead is Disney World says it all.
Wow, Tina, that’s quite a testimonial!