Programs

Digital Influencer Summit Camp TAG - The Allergy Gang Camp TAG - The Allergy Gang 2024 Lebanon, Ohio Nashville, Tennessee Sponsors Food Industry & Research Summit

Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang)

2024 Marks Our 14th Anniversary!

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 be with others who live it and get it. It is a bonding and empowering week for all campers and counselors, including parents/caregivers.

Camp TAG is 95% fun and 5% educational, with age-appropriate activities and games each day on food allergies, anaphylaxis, nutrition, the emotional impact of living with food allergies (for children with food allergies and their families), and how to stay safe at school and at home. The curriculum was designed and reviewed by FAACT's Medical Advisory Board.

Activities each day will include camp games, ropes course, climbing tower, canoeing, arts and crafts, music, swimming, Ga-Ga, archery, mine chutes, giant swings, and field sports such as soccer, basketball, baseball, flag football, lacrosse, and so much more.

This ONE-WEEK, DAY CAMP is designed specifically for children ages 4-13. For camp activities, children are grouped by ages to ensure experiences are age-appropriate:

Ages 4-6
Ages 7-9
Ages 10-11
Ages 12-13

Camp TAG Locations:

“Camp TAG was created because I wanted to send my son, Thomas, to camp, but worried about a reaction occurring during the camp day. I researched local camps, and none of them were able to accommodate his needs. As I continued my research, I found that there weren’t any types of specialized food allergy camps for kids anywhere in the country. I then decided to start our own camp. Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang) was actually named after my children. TAG stands for Thomas Andrew and Anne Garrow, and they share the “A” as they share their life experiences of managing food allergies on a daily basis. I also wanted the camp to include siblings because I have one child with and one child without food allergies. Siblings are also just as affected and advocate just as much for their affected siblings. I wanted my children, along with all of your children, to enjoy the camp experience together.” – Eleanor Garrow-Holding

Registration Is Open!

Please see the location you are interested in for the Registration fees. Tuition payments must be made in full online at time of registration or a check sent via mail to:

FAACT
P.O. Box 511
West Chester, OH 45071

Please email Eleanor.Garrow@FoodAllergyAwareness.org with any questions!

Teen Counselor Positions Available

Teens, ages 14+, with food allergies, eosinophilic disorders, FPIES, Celiac disease, atopic dermatitis (eczema), mast cell, and/or asthma or a non-allergic teen sibling, may apply to be a teen counselor. Camp TAG provides one counselor for every five children. We'd really like to see the teens apply for counselor positions because they can relate to the campers and act as mentors.

Teens receive community service hours for their time, which averages about 35-40 hours for the week. Teen counselors will be notified once applications are reviewed. Once approved, there is a $135 activity fee for teen counselors to be paid via FAACT's secured PayPal.

Medication Policy

Medications are checked in each day in the morning and checked out each afternoon when you pick your child up from camp. We do not keep medication overnight. There are camp nurses on site at all times. The counselor of your child’s group will be carrying the child’s medications in a portable cooler on wheels (room temperature) so all medications are with your child the entire time. Every camper must have a medical/health plan completed, which is included in the registration packet.

Food Policy

Each camper is responsible for bringing his/her own lunch Monday through Thursday. To ensure the safety of campers with food allergies, some of the “top 9” allergens are prohibited at camp, including peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. We stress the importance – and ease – of cleaning hands and not sharing foods to help build healthy habits for all campers. Campers and counselors must use WetOnes® hand wipes during check in each morning, before and after morning snack and lunch times, and any other time needed throughout the day.

* WetOnes® Ingredients:
Active Ingredient: Benzethonium Chloride (0.3%). Inactive Ingredients: Water, SD Alcohol 40, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-60 Lanolin, Quaternium-52, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Fragrance, Sodium
Caprylcamphopropionate, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid.

YMCA Camp Kern and YMCA Camp Widjiwagan already have a peanut- and tree nut-free policy in place, therefore, all food brought in must be free of those ingredients. Camp TAG provides bottled water for every camper each day to eliminate the need for parents to pack drinks for campers. No drinks are allowed to be brought in during the week.

Additional restrictions:

Foods with wheat, egg, milk, and soy are allowed, such as sandwich bread, crackers, and cookies (must be free of peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame).
Milk/cheese-based foods are not allowed, such as cheese of any kind, Cheetos, Cheez-It Crackers, Doritos, yogurt, etc., to minimize the risk of cross-contact.
Egg-based condiments are not allowed, such as mayonnaise, dressings, dips, etc., to minimize the risk of cross-contact.

In addition, Camp TAG provides allergy-friendly snacks free of the "top 9" (plus gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO) from Cybele's Free to Eat during the morning Education session for every camper.

Each camper will be required to clean his/her hands with hand wipes when they arrive at camp each morning and before and after snacks and lunch.

Education for Campers & Counselors

There will be an education session implemented during the education portion of the week for the campers and counselors on how to recognize signs & symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector (with trainers).

Testimonials

In July 2011, the inaugural Camp TAG was launched at Tall Pines Day Camp in Williamstown, New Jersey. A second camp was offered in August 2011 at the Sandy Springs Friends School in Sandy Springs, Maryland. Created as a place for kids with food allergies to just be kids, the experience was made memorable not only by the fun activities but also by the fact that the kids felt safe and reassured in an environment free from their food allergies. Through the hard work of Camp TAG founder Eleanor Garrow, the camp staff, and many volunteers, we were thrilled that Camp TAG was a total success! However, don’t just take our word for it. Read what some of the parents and volunteers had to say about the experience.

“…it was AMAZING!!!! It was the most inspiring, empowering experience we’ve ever been able to provide [our daughter] with. It was the first and probably the only program we have ever sent [our daughter] to that we didn’t have to even worry about the food situation, and for [her] younger brother, it was a good opportunity to teach food allergy awareness and safety.” ~ Julie

“I can’t thank Eleanor Garrow-Holding enough for Camp TAG. It was a wonderful experience for my 4-year-old son to be educated by people (adults and children) other than myself, husband, and family on food allergies.” ~ Kerri

“I have to say that Camp TAG is not only great for the kids, but for us parents as well. It means so much to me to meet other parents of food allergy kids who know what life is like trying to keep our kids safe! Thank you so much for all your hard work!! This is the best week ever!” ~ Lisa

“My son had so much fun today and cannot wait to go back tomorrow. Thank you to Eleanor Garrow-Holding and all the volunteers at Camp TAG for making my son’s dream of going to camp come true!!” ~ Amanda

“Camp TAG is so amazing in so many ways. It’s already made a huge difference in my son’s life. We are excited for the rest of the week …I loved how the kids at my table were all comparing their allergy bracelets and loving them like accessories and not having to feel different – instead a new sense of belonging!” ~ Kim

“I just wanted to let you know that you did an OUTSTANDING job putting this together and that ALL the children left with a new feeling of comfort with both their feelings about their allergies and meeting new children who have the same conditions as they do.” ~Frank