Facts You Need

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The Core Facts You Want to Know 

• Who can go to the camp?
• When do we check in and out?
• How much does Camp Celiac Cost?
• Where is the camp located and what is Camp Arroyo?
• How do I get to camp?
• How about other food allergies/sensitivities?
• Where do campers sleep?
• What do campers eat?
• What are the camp activities?
• Who runs Camp Celiac?
• Why a celiac camp?
• Will my child be able to call/write me while at camp?
• What if my child needs medical care while at camp?
• Are all the foods really gluten free?

Who can go to the camp?

The camp is for kids ages 9 to 17 years old who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, a condition that requires life-long adherence to a gluten-free diet.  Given limited space, we are unable to accomodate kids on gluten-free diets for other reasons (such as autism spectrum disorders).  Campers ages 16-17 years may choose to volunteer as junior counselors.  Junior counselors assist the adult volunteers, and for first session junior counselors need to arrive a day early (on Monday) for the staff orientation and training.  If there are more junior counselor applicants than there is available space, priority is given based on age, gender-need, and prior camp experience.

When do we check in and out?

Check-in: Please see "Camp Watch" for details for each camp.
Please do not arrive early.
Check-out:  All campers must be checked out by the stated time so camp can be prepared for the next group.

How much does Camp Celiac cost? 

The only required cost is a $25 registration fee. The physical costs of the camp facility, food, and camp support staff (kitchen & maintenance staff, lifeguards, trainers for the ropes course/zip line, bus transportation to the lake, etc.) are covered by the incredibly generous support of the Taylor Family Foundation, the East Bay Regional Parks District, and the YMCA. Additional financial and administrative support are also very generously provided by the Celiac Sprue Research Foundation, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, and The Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Permanente). Additional donations, if you are able, are needed to cover the additional costs of Camp Celiac (art supplies, medical supplies, camp director, registration, some activities, general and medical insurance, etc.).

Where is the camp located and what is Camp Arroyo?

Camp Celiac is at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, California. Set amidst the rolling hills of the San Francisco Bay Area, Camp Arroyo is a spectacular facility managed by a joint public and private effort between the East Bay Regional Park District, The Taylor Family Foundation, and the YMCA. Together, they created a Summer Youth Camp and Environmental Education Center on a 138-acre parkland near Livermore, California. Camp Arroyo, built and operated on the principles of an ecologically sustainable community, provides a safe haven for children with illnesses or disabilities that make it difficult for them to attend most camps. 

How do I get to camp?

Families must arrange their camper's transportation to and from the camp. If requested, we will try to provide information to connect families traveling from the same areas so that they can arrange carpools. 

How about other food allergies/sensitivities?

For food sensitivities/allergies apart from gluten, campers must be independent enough to ensure they are not eating foods to which they are allergic.  There are dairy-free and nut-free alternatives at every meal and ingredient lists are posted for all menu items; campers sensitive to other foods need to review the lists for their additional dietary restrictions.  Nuts and nut flours are used at Camp; we do not operate a nut-free facility.

Where do campers sleep?

Campers will sleep in gender-specific cabins; each cabin sleeps 12 persons on beds with mattresses. Campers need to bring their own sleeping bags and pillows. 

What do campers eat?

Meals are served family style in the spacious dining hall. All meals and snacks will be gluten free (no need for your camper to ask, "is this gluten free?"). Elaine Taylor, of the Taylor Family Foundation, is herself on a gluten free diet and is excitedly planning a delicious gluten free menu. The kitchen will be cleaned twice before our kids arrive. 

What are the Camp activities?

Activities: The 3500 square foot pool is the heart of summer camp activities and is large enough for wading, games, and team sports. The pool was designed to allow campers in the shallow area as well as in the sports area. All campers will be required to take a swim test before being allowed in the pool. No campers will be allowed in the pool area without a YMCA Camp Arroyo approved lifeguard on duty. 
The Challenge Course consists of multiple challenge elements facilitated by the Fort Miley Adventure Challenge Course staff. There is a 36' X 36' rock wall, a 210' zip line, as well as other high and low climbing elements. 
Camp also includes a trip to Lake Del Valle for boating and swimming; a day-long "Olympics" with different activites; an arts and crafts center; bocce ball; basketball; archery; soccer and other field sports; movies; and a campfire amphitheater (with gluten-free smores!). 

Who runs Camp Celiac?

Camp Arroyo is jointly staffed by the YMCA of the East Bay, members of the Taylor Family Foundation, the East Bay Regional Parks District, and the adult volunteer counselors recruited by Camp Celiac. In addition, there will be a medical staff member (i.e. a doctor or nurse volunteer) for emergencies. 
Camp Celiac is the volunteer organization that puts together much of the camp's organization including the registration, recruitment, camp director, counselors, medical staff, web site, and much of the camp's activity program. Camp Celiac works with Camp Arroyo, the Taylor Family Foundation, and our other sponsors to put the Camp together. If you are interested in helping to continue making camp a reality, please contact us at campceliac@gmail.com.

Why a celiac camp? 

The goal is to provide children restricted to a gluten-free diet with a "safe" opportunity to relax and have fun with kids their age, without having to worry about social acceptance or what foods they can eat. At Camp Celiac, kids find themselves in the company of other kids on a gluten-free diet, counselors with celiac disease, and a staff familiar with food sensitivities. The celiac camp has been a memorable and life-changing event in kids' lives (see what people are saying)

Will my child be able to call or write to me from the camp?

A main idea behind the camp is to provide a safe and self-reliant environment for kids, where they can relate to other kids with celiac, have a camp experience without the worry of food choices, and have fun! To enhance the development of independent decision-making, we generally discourage visits or calls from parents during the camp week and we request that campers not bring cell phones or other electronic devices to camp. We do encourage kids to write to their parents. 

What if my child needs medical care while at camp?

There is a medical infirmary on site, and there is a physician or another trained medical person at the camp for medical emergencies. The counselors will also provide lots of emotional and social support at all times. 

Adults and campers will need to bring all essential medicines with them to check-in. To minimize disruption to the camp schedule, we request that non-essential substances (e.g. vitamins and herbal supplements) be kept at home. We require that all essential medications be pre-sorted into a seven-day pill sorter in advance, along with a printed schedule of when the medications should be taken. All essential medications (including over-the-counter medications) will be handed to the medical staff at check-in, stored in the infirmary and given to the kids at the required schedule. Our medical facility is also stocked with over the counter medicines that may be needed for minor colds and aches. 

Are all the foods really gluten-free? 

The pre-packaged foods are all selected from well-established providers of gluten-free foods, many of whom generously donate their products. Foods prepared on site are made from gluten-free mixes, use gluten-free ingredients, and are not prepared alongside any gluten-containing products. The menu is prepared by persons on gluten-restricted diets (including Elaine Taylor, of the Taylor Family Foundation). The kitchen is cleaned thoroughly prior to the start of the camp to minimize the possibility of cross-contamination.