Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Previous Topic Next Topic

sleepaway camp worries...

Sun, May 23, 2010 11:06 PM

I am working at a sleep away camp for the first time this summer. It is something I have wanted to do for years, and I finally have a chance! The camp knows about my UC and my diet restrictions, but I can't help but feel worried that I will get into a bad flare up.I have had my UC for about a year (it will actually hit a year the day I leave for camp!) and I am starting to fully understand it fully but this will not help if I get sick 20 states away from my doctor. Does anyone have any advice to stay healthy and to have fun without becoming so worried?

ucchick87
Joined May 23, 2010

Sun, June 20, 2010 4:05 PM

Reply posted for EZ.

Thanks EZ and Lizzie's mom! I am on my third day here at camp and I am loving every minute of it. I am so busy that it is hard to be worrying about my stomach. The food here is really great, and there are so many options. I am not expecting there to be any flare ups this summer :) Thank you guys so much for replying. Your posts really help!

Amanda

ucchick87
Joined May 23, 2010

Sun, June 20, 2010 1:11 PM

Reply posted for ucchick87.

I have had UC for 3 years and I actually worked at an overnight summer camp for the first time last summer. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I didn't have any flare ups while I was there and I was able to eat all of the food, but I was a little worried also before I got there. My advice to you is to not let it get in the way of your experience because at camps there are usually a variety of food choices. You can probably opt for the vegetarian meal option once you are there if you feel that would be better for you because they will probably have one. Also, there will be a camp nurse there who will be aware of your UC and is there to help you! I don't know exactly what your position is going to be, but if you are a counselor you will probably have to leave your cabin and walk a little bit to go to the bathrooms, but you will get used to it. You are going to have so much fun, your illness will be the last thing on your mind when you get there!!!

-Michelle

ez
Joined Nov 9, 2008

Fri, May 28, 2010 12:00 AM

Reply posted for ucchick87.

There are several things you can do to help. First and foremost, serious planning on your part well in advance will help alleviate the stress that comes from last minute packing. Since you have been diagnosed for a year now, you should have a good understanding of what foods / snacks are "safe" for you. I suggest packing as many as possible. This way, no matter what the camp is serving, you have your go-to foods. Another thing you may want to bring is something to help keep you relaxed that you can do on down time (a book, crossword puzzle, ipod, whatever you enjoy). Rest, plenty of rest. Last, but not least, don't overthink it, have fun!

Enjoy

Lizzies Mom

lizzies mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009

Related Topics

Camping with a flare up?

DPE
Joined Jul 31, 2021

Hey, I am off on an amazing trip across Scotland w....

read more

Stelara in Costa Rica

thomas2000
Joined Jan 24, 2022

I will be travelling to CR in the near future and ....

read more

Humira for TSA security (...

luciapastorino
Joined Jun 28, 2023

Dear members of this community, my name is Lucia,....

read more

Welcome to the Crohn's & Colitis Community!

This website is associated with CCFA.org and is supported by an educational grant from AbbVie.

Please read our Top 12 Rules before posting messages and sharing stories. Always be courteous and sensitive to others!

Intended audience. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Online Community is intended for patients and their caregivers, family and friends. The Community is not intended for industry representatives or advertisers and these individuals are not permitted to participate on the site.

Meet the Crohn's & Colitis Community! Browse our site to see what our community is talking about and find issues important to you.

Join in and share your stories. After you feel comfortable with our site, register to share your thoughts on a regular basis.

Stay secure. Remember that our site can be viewed by anyone on the Internet. With the exception of our registration and personal pages, search engines are available within this site. To guard your privacy, follow these simple rules: do not share your address, phone number, details about your family, or anything else you would feel uncomfortable with others reading. If you post your personal email, be aware that you may receive spam e-mail from spammers who gather addresses off of the web.

Read and react to posts with care. If you don’t agree or are offended by someone’s post, take a step back and think before you reply. Since we can’t talk in-person to each other, we must recognize that we may be misunderstanding stories or posts. Please be sensitive to others’ feelings and ask for clarification before acting out.

Search before starting new topics. To keep our message boards easy to use, please use the search bar to locate topics of interest before starting a new thread. If you start a new thread, please use obvious subject headings and words that will catch the attention of others. Topics will be archived after 21 days of inactivity. To view past topics and posts, click on archive topics within each of the forums.

Stick to our guidelines. To keep this site safe for everyone, please do not post: doctors' names, treatment facility names and treatment specifics, contact information for others without their consent, links to websites with uncertain content or advertisements, requests for fundraising, items for sale, requests for study, survey and/or questionnaire participation or provocative information.

Sharing photos. Please use good taste and appropriate images when adding photos to your profile or personal stories. Photos should be in .jpg format.

Not following the rules? Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators routinely scan the message boards and will delete tasteless posts. If you post inappropriate messages or pictures or use offensive language in a post on multiple occasions, you will be notified via email and your account will be inactivated.

Report foul play. Help the Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators by reporting anyone that posts inappropriate messages or pictures by clicking the 'Report Abuse' button under the message or emailing ccfacommunity@ccfa.org.

Questions or concerns? Please feel free to email us at ccfacommunity@ccfa.org with any questions or concerns. We want you to feel comfortable here.

Terms & Conditions. By posting your story, questions, concerns and other information on the Community, you grant the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or its authorized agent permission to publish, reproduce, record and use your stories as Crohn's & Colitis Community or the authorized agent sees fit in any medium or forum in a manner which helps to further the Crohn's & Colitis Community mission. You agree to release and hold harmless Crohn's & Colitis Community from any and all liability by any third party that may arise from the release of information to any third party or by any third party and agree that all text and other content made by you, for you or the person for whom you are the parent/guardian, shall be the exclusive property of Crohn's & Colitis Community. The Crohn's & Colitis Community cannot verify every claim made by a third party contributor to our Community and is not responsible for the authenticity of information posted.

Thank you! The Crohn's & Colitis Community is successful because of members like you!

Thanks!
The Crohn's & Colitis Community Team

*Any postings on the Crohn's & Colitis Community site should not replace your physician's advice. Always check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health.