My 13 Year-old Daughter Is Going On Outward Bound ...

[arkant]

My daughter choose to go on an Outward Bound backpacking trip this summer. From the beginning I asked them if they could accommodate a gluten free child, and they insisted it was no problem. They decided to make the whole group gluten free, (except for cookies and such which can be easily segregated) which we both really appreciated. They sent me their regular menus, and I sent back an extensive list of substitutions of brands we like and trust. They never got the list somehow, and went to local health food stores and supposedly read labels, but I'm very nervous about the whole thing. I can just picture her out in the backwoods somewhere, feeloing miserable, with people who don't understand what's going on.

We're going shopping today for gluten free trail mix, etc.. We bring her up to the base camp tomorrow. Any suggestions? I don't want to be too obnoxious and seemingly neurotic by snooping through their provisions, since their intentions seem to be great, but ....

Thanks

[ShayFL]

That is a tough one for sure. But I am going to assume your daughter is very good about reading labels, so she could ask to see the boxes/cans/etc. before meals to make sure. And packing safe things for her is, of course, very smart.

I know it is very difficult not to worry, but the time comes when we have to let our children start living their own lives. She shouldnt NOT go to this because of fear of sickness. That will just cripple her for life.

This is a great opportunity for her to learn to be assertive and take care of herself. I would explain to her that it will be up to her to look over things before she eats to make sure.

[purple]

I agree with ShayFL. Also I believe it is your right to check over everything b/c its for your daughters safety. Schools check for weapons and drugs. To your daughter, food is just as harmful to her health. You might consider replacing their "wrong" items with gluten-free ones just incase they messed up. Then there would be no hastle.

[CeliacMom2008]

The Outward Bound trips I've heard of are usually pretty isolated and can be long lasting. If that's the case with your daughter, I wouldn't hesitate to look through the food. Heck, I'm a worry wart, I'd look anyway! When I'm feeling nervous about my over protectiveness I usually just fess up really fast. "I know, I'm a worry wart. But a quick look through the food and I'll be able to sleep while you're gone." The Outward Bound folks are good at what they do and deal with parents is a lof of what they do. I'm sure you are not the first parent who has wanted to check up on things. And you have a perfectly good reason to. Find a way to say it in an upbeat manner and just do a quick check. Better that than your daughter finding out that they didn't realize barley had gluten or something. They wouldn't want to have to deal with that out in the field any more than your daughter would want to be sick.

I hope she has a wonderful time! I've wanted to do an Outward Bound trip for almost 20 years (yikes that makes me old!)

[arkant]

thanks guys--

unfortunately they had packed away all their stuff when I dropped her off. I asked them to let her check the labels. Since its a backpacking trip, they've already stuck most of the stuff in ziplocs. It was very annoying because they are so in the business of reassuring parents, but know nothing about celiac disease. I felt they were working harder to pacify me than to listen to what I actually had to say. So they made a big effort to get wheat free food, but didn't check gluten. They thought it was a wheat allergy. So they bought unsafe oatmeal, nutrition bars, etc... Meanwhile, I'm afraid the other kids are going to feel resentful, and my daughter singled out, because everyone's food is going to be unnecessarily limited.

We arrived with two big bags of groceries, which they took, but now I'm feeling like I better Fed ex a bunch more.

We really need to get the word out about celiac more so that our children can grow up in a world that has a clue about what we are talking about.