WE ARE NUT and ALLERGY SAFE- OUR ANALPHYLAXIS POLICY:

At Manitou we have numerous campers with nut allergies, and other allergies. We do not serve any food that contains nuts or nut oil. Every single staff member is educated and trained as to the symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to give an epipen. Pictures of children with food allergies of any type are circulated to all dining hall, office and all names of each camper with a specific allergy are given to every single head staff member.

Campers in a cabin of a child with a nut allergy (or other allergy) are sympathetic and are very supportive and we work out with you, the parent, the allergy plan that is most appropriate for your child. For example, if your child is comfortable having the counsellor explain the specific allergy to the cabin group then we meet with your child and work out what the counsellor and or the child will say to the cabin. Every child in a cabin has special needs, whether they have asthma, allergies or have another needs, it's easy to describe to a cabin group about your child's allergy with your child feeling comfortable and cared for. But we let you and your child decide if wish to take this approach or not and every child is different.

Finally, we have epipen stations set up at 7 different locations throughout camp making an epipen always available in case a child for some reason was not carrying one and had a reaction. Our education process allows campers with other allergies to various foods, bees, insects, etc to be in a safe environment. Even on a day trip we assign a specific staff member to carry an epipen and stay close to your child even though your child will should have their epipen on them while on any trip out of camp (AND you as a parent can always let us know you would rather them not go on a day trip).. As far as canoe trips go- many parents prefer their child not go on a trip while others feel with certain protocols in place they can- again we feel it's our role to partner with you to determine what is best in the circumstances.

Some other points about our policy:

• Please contact us to discuss your particular child. Some parents want their child to wear their epipen at all times while others prefer not. We know that kids that wear their epipens can often be in a worse positon because they leave them at swim, sail or ski in the sun or forget them. Also some allow canoe trips and some do not.  Lets discuss in person!
• NO nuts flyer sent to parents and reminders about nut bring food into to camp(whether on bus or otherwise)
• Manual outlines nut policy and importance of same
• All campers are met with by Camp Director as a unit to remind them that we are nut free-
• Our doctors are pediatricians or family physicians and are experts at dealing with this issue.
• Staff are given pre camp training on nut safe policy and provided a full discussion on anaphylaxis, symptoms and treatment. All of this information is provided in print form to all staff in staff manual and discussed in a separate session with other health issues.
• All staff are given training which includes when and how to give an Epipen
• Names of all children are given to all head staff in camp who have severe allergies and picture of such children are posted in office, dining room and kitchen.
• Food company is told not to include any foods with nuts or traces of nuts
• Tuck (canteen does not contain any product with nuts)
• Epipen stations are located around camp in case a child is not wearing an Epipen or is having a reaction for the first time and is unaware of allergy.
• These stations are located in dining hall, office, eco adventure area, or soccer/archery area, swim, canoe and health centre.
• Three Epipen doses are always sent on any trip out of camp
• All staff are taught to never assume camp is nut safe, for example read labels, always be on the alert, make sure nobody by accident brings in something from the outside. Monitor a child for symptoms, if for example two hours after they eat they seem to be exhibiting minor symptoms, then explore and be proactive.
• Member of anaphylaxis Canada to stay apprised of nut allergy issues and to be aware of new medical knowledge.
• Full time van available with driver to go to hospital, hospital is 20 minutes from camp.