School trips can be a fantastic experience even with food allergies.
Children with food allergies should participate in all school activities and must not be excluded based on their condition. Students should wear medical alert identification at all times. When planning for a field trip, the parents, school nurse, and field trip coordinators should collaborate to avoid high-risk destinations.
If a trip includes an overnight stay at a hotel, it is best to request rooms with kitchens, refrigerators, and microwaves so food-allergic students can cook their own meals.
Urge the school to contact all destination locations, including travel stops, restaurants, and hotels, ahead of time to ensure accommodations are available for student(s) with food allergies and review emergency protocols with appropriate representatives from each of these locations.
Designate the appropriate individual to work with the school nurse immediately prior to the trip to ensure all medications and instructions are packed. Make sure the child can identify the trained individual(s) or the designated staff member(s) who will be carrying your child’s auto-injectors and other medications. Children today understand when friend or classmate has a food allergy, so as to have a “No Food or Beverage Sharing” policy enforced.
Parents can collaborate with the school administration to ensure that children are safe while in school and should engage the administration to help craft a plan where everyone is safe. It is important that students be vigilant and learn to self-advocate. Remember to speak up and be heard.
Ensure backup batteries for cell phones and other emergency communication devices are available and in working order and plan emergency procedures for areas in which cell phone reception may not be available. Enforce rules to wash hands before and after drinking/eating when possible (and use of disposable wipes otherwise).
Links
Food Allergies in School Parent Checklist
