FAACT’s Camp TAG Virtual Summer Program 2023

We are hosting a one-week, fun-packed Camp TAG Virtual Program the week of July 17-21 and want to stay connected to our families that are not able to join us in-person! You will NOT want to miss out! 

Camp TAG provides a safe place for children with food allergies, eosinophilic disorders, FPIES, Celiac disease, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and asthma and their non-allergic siblings to have fun – with no worries about allergic reactions – and meet other children who share similar experiences. Camp TAG provides peer-to-peer networks, support, gaining independence and confidence, and more - everyone has the opportunity to meet others who live it and get it. It is a bonding and empowering experience for all campers and counselors, including parents/caregivers.

Schedule

Camp TAG will be a 1-week session consisting of five (5), 90-minute Zoom sessions with FAACT staff and teen counselors helping lead the sessions (total 7.5 hours).

1-week Session: Monday, July 17 through Friday, July 21

• 11am - 12:30pm EST

During the 90-minute session, we will cover an education activity, a craft, a camp game, and engage in FUN conversations. The campers will learn the Camp TAG song during sessions. Every session will be different.

** There are 20 spots available.

Deadline to apply is Friday, June 23, 2023.

Camper Applications

To register for Virtual Camp TAG, please download the camper application.  

Email camper applications to Eleanor.Garrow@FoodAllergyAwareness.org.

Teen Counselor Applications

Teens, ages 14+, can volunteer as teen counselors and receive community service hours for their time, totalling 8 hours. Each teen counselor will receive a package that includes:

• FAACT Virtual Camp TAG t-shirt
• Camp materials for education sessions and games
• Epinephrine auto-injector trainers
• FAACT resources
• Samples, coupons, literature from our sponsors

Participation fee for teen counselors is $60. See below for payment instructions.

To apply to be a virtual teen counselor, please download the teen application.

Email teen applications to Eleanor.Garrow@FoodAllergyAwareness.org. 

Registration and Payment

Registration per camper: $150

Registration fee covers five (5) sessions along with the Camp TAG box and shipping fees, which includes:

• FAACT Virtual Camp TAG t-shirt
• Five (5) camp craft kits
• Camp materials for education sessions and games
• Epinephrine auto-injector trainers
• FAACT resources
• FAACT swag
• Samples, coupons, literature from our sponsors

Registration payments must be made in full online at time of registration or by check via mail sent to: FAACT, P.O. Box 511, West Chester, OH 45071.

If paying online, please go to FAACT's Donate page. Click on "Other" and enter the amount of your camp registration fee, and enter "Virtual Camp TAG 2023 " in the "Reason" box. All payments online are secure through our PayPal account.

Parent/Caregiver Education Session 

A virtual session will be offered in August for all parents/caregivers from Camp TAG! We will have a four-hour session covering the latest in food allergy research, quality of life, racial & health disparities in food allergy, mental health across the lifespan, and accommodations in school with Q&A at the end of each section.

August 10, 2023 (10:00am-1:00pm EST):

• The Latest in Food Allergy Research: Shahzad Mustafa, MD, Rochester Regional Health System, Division of Allergy & Immunology and FAACT's Medical Advisory Board Chair
• Racial & Health Disparities in Food Allergy: Aleasa Word, FAACT's VP of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• Mental Health Across the Lifespan: Emery Brown, Ed.S., NCSP - Nationally Certified School Psychologist, FAACT's Director of Behavioral Health
• Accommodations in School: Amelia Smith, JD, FAACT's VP of Civil Rights

We hope you welcome FAACT's Camp TAG into your homes!

Camp TAG Testimonials from Virtual Summer and Winter 2020-2021

For our Summer 2020 Virtual Camp TAG, we had 132 campers and 28 teen counselors from 32 states and Canada. Out of the 132 campers, 91 were completely new to Camp TAG. Many said they cannot wait to join us in person when that happens in 2022 with our other return families. Many did not want Camp TAG to end. We were so pleased and excited to hear the positive testimonials after the 5 weeks concluded and have decided that we will continue to offer a Virtual Camp TAG each summer over one week when Camp TAG is not taking place in-person.

"FAACT's Camp TAG has held such a special place in our hearts since it began. That first year, I remember very reluctantly leaving my five and seven-year-old daughters. Since then, we have returned every summer. It's hard to explain how one week each summer can make such a profound impact, but it has. The lifelong friendships we and our daughters have made are priceless. Camp TAG is a chance to share experiences with those who know the challenges and fears of living with food allergies. It's a chance to learn that you are not alone, but instead you have this extended family to lean on for support. I remember how much daughters looked up to their counselors when they were young. I am so proud that they have become teen counselors themselves. Last summer, just as our own families reunited for graduations and weddings virtually, the Camp TAG family reunited online, as well. We are looking forward to coming together virtually again this summer to see old friends and make new ones."
- Megan, NJ

"My son has multiple IgE-mediated food allergies, Eosinophilic disorders, asthma, MCAS, and is primarily fed through a G-tube. He was to attend Camp TAG in Ohio in person for two years and participated in the Winter Virtual session. My daughter also has food allergies and allergic diseases and participated in Camp TAG. Camp TAG has been amazing for our family! The kids Zoom and play Roblox with their camp friends a few times per week. I've been in an active chat group with some of the moms for a few years now. We've made lifelong friends. The Camp TAG program is encouraging, empowering, and supportive, and I am so grateful to Eleanor and her team for giving kids such an amazing opportunity."
- Melissa, Utah

"My son lives with multiple food allergies, eczema, seasonal allergies, anxiety, and asthma. We found Camp TAG in 2020 and wanted to attend the in-person camp, but instead participated virtually. Words cannot describe how happy meeting with a group of kids, teens, and adult counselors who "get it" made my son feel. The sessions are so inclusive, educational, and really fun. As a parent, it is great to see him be able to discuss how he stays safe and advocates for himself with his peers. We were all so impressed after the Summer session that we also participated in the Winter virtual camp, and we can't wait to attend the in-person Camp TAG when it comes to Colorado. My son truly knows that he is not alone and has lots of fun friends that understand him."
- Jessica, Colorado

"My daughter has many food and seasonal allergies. She participated in the Camp TAG Summer and Winter programs and LOVED it. She's going to participate again this Summer. I sat in the room with her during the Zoom sessions (out-of-sight) and thought they did a fantastic job using age-appropriate vocabulary to talk about some pretty deep stuff (anaphylaxis symptoms, allergy symptoms, anxiety, bullying, etc.). The crafts were fun, too. The reason we registered her was for the exposure and interaction with kids who also have allergies. I definitely recommend Camp TAG and am hoping it's back in-person in 2022."
- Maureen, Tennessee

"Thank you for providing such an amazing opportunity for my son. I have never seen him so empowered and confident to talk about his food allergies. We live in Washington in a relatively small town. He does not have other friends with food allergies. He has learned so much about how to communicate regarding his food allergies. The activities and materials provided were excellent for our family. I am overjoyed with this camp experience he has had. He is looking forward to seeing his friends again at Camp TAG this Winter. I am so thrilled to have an option for him that we both felt comfortable to participate. This has been a life-changing experience for our family."
- Nicole, Washington

"I wanted to reach out and let you know my son loved Camp TAG. This is the first time he has been able to relate to others and feel comfortable. I have worked for Parks and Rec his whole life, and he attends the camps there. He said he hopes there will be a Camp TAG here someday."
- Jodie, Florida

"Our whole family benefited from Camp TAG. I just telling my husband that something positive to come from COVID-19 is that we got to attend Camp TAG's virtual program. We are thankful for Camp TAG and for everyone who made it possible."
- Abby, New York

"I wanted to congratulate you for putting on an amazing virtual Camp TAG! My daughter has never been to Camp TAG (or any camp) before, and she was not sure she would like it, but she loooooves it! She is very shy, and I had to introduce her on the first day because she wouldn't do it herself, but now she is happy to be there on her own. She has not said much on Zoom, but I wanted you to know that she is having a great time and is sad that tomorrow is the last day."
- Laura, Arizona

Camp TAG Photos