YMCA Camp Pine Crest is a nut-sensitive environment. We do not cook with nut products on site and ask guests not to bring food that may contain nuts. Many of our participants and staff come to camp with a variety of other food allergies, and in the summer, we have a dedicated staff for dietary accommodations.

All kitchen staff receives training from Food Allergy Canada and on-site, site-specific training focusing on safe food handling, cross-contamination prevention, and knowledge of allergens. Every on-site staff member has a minimum of Standard First Aid and CPR-C. We also review the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. All schools and participants must notify Camp Pine Crest in writing 10 days before arriving of their food allergies or dietary restrictions. This includes a description of the allergy or restriction and its severity, the date of their last allergic reaction, whether they carry an EpiPen, a list of their symptoms, and how they treat their reactions.

After receiving all the dietary restrictions and food allergies from a school or camper session, our Food Service Director creates a primary menu and alternative menu that meets the needs of those with food allergies and dietary restrictions.

During the summer, camp counsellors receive an allergy briefing on each camper in their cabin and the best ways to prevent reactions. If your child has a food allergy, please flag this on their camper experience form, which you will receive after registration. If they have an anaphylactic allergy, you must fill out an additional form and provide a photo of your child so our team on-site is fully aware. You will also get a phone call from our Food Service Director before camp starts.

Our Food Service Director will speak to each child coming to camp with an allergy and their parent/guardian. When possible, we also prefer to have a conversation with any students coming during the outdoor centre season. Depending on the severity of a participant’s allergy, we may remove the food from the menu during their stay. During this call, we will create an Allergy Action Plan and answer any questions you may have about our kitchen procedures. If your child carries an EpiPen or another auto-injector, we will remind you to send two to camp. One always stays with the camper; the other stays at our wellness centre. You are also welcome to send your own nut-free food to camp.

At Pine Crest, we can accommodate many different food allergies, dietary restrictions, and religious diets, including:

• Vegetarian and vegan diets
• Kosher diets can only be accommodated with a vegetarian diet. Please note that we are not a Kosher facility.
• Halal
• Gluten-free
• Celiac
• Dairy/lactose-free
• Egg-free
• Many other diets with discussion

We remove food allergens from the menu where possible; however, we cannot remove egg, wheat, dairy, or soy. It is also important to note that most of Pine Crest’s general bread may contain sesame, as we do not have a source of fully sesame-free bread.

Once a camper/participant arrives on site we have their counsellors bring them to the kitchen to introduce themselves to the kitchen staff. We ask this for several reasons. First, it allows us to put a face to a name to make sure every child gets the right food. Second, it helps the participant feels more comfortable about any food they eat at camp. Third, it shows the participant where they will pick up their food at each meal. Finally, it allows us to go over any steps they need to follow while at camp in person.

Food Allergies on Trip

The kitchen staff work closely with all counsellors to pack and prepare all food safely for every camper/participant with a food allergy. We determine a menu that has the least amount of food allergen possible. If for example, some allergen is still going on a trip such as cheese with a dairy allergy, we ensure that all of that participant's food is packed separately including anything needed for food preparation. All staff members receive instruction on food allergies, first aid, and cross-contamination. The kitchen and wellness staff are always on hand to help.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at camp.pinecrest@ymcagta.org

Breakfast
At breakfast each day we serve a hot option and a breakfast bar. Our hot option includes both a sweet and savory option such as french toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit salad and home fries. Our breakfast bar includes a variety of cold cereals, yogurt, fresh-cut fruit, whole fruit, pastries, and bagels, toast or English muffins along with an oatmeal bar.

Lunches

Lunches can include a wide variety of options. In addition to prepared meals, campers have access to a make-your-own salad bar, homemade soup, and veggie sticks. A few typical lunches are:

Camp classics like mac and cheese, chicken burgers with fries, and grilled cheese. We also have more adult-friendly options like chicken pesto pasta, tacos with a variety of toppings including cheese, lettuce, homemade pico de gallo, and sour cream with hard and soft shells.

Dinners 
Dinners include a make-your-own salad bar as well as a hot option such as a variety of pastas, roasts, butter chicken, and souvlaki dinner. Dinners also include desserts like oatmeal fudge bars, brownies, sprinkle cookies and more.

Snacks

Fresh fruit and water are available throughout the day at any time from the kitchen. Campers and participants are encouraged to use a water bottle throughout the day. 

Evening snacks such as homemade muffins, fresh popcorn, cheese and crackers and fresh fruit with dip are served each evening before bed. 

Food for trips are packed and prepared by campers and staff together. Trip food is a great way for campers to learn about cooking. We ensure that meals on trip are plentiful and that there are lots of snacks to fuel our active participants. Menus while on a trip are tailored to the participants' taste, though we also encourage all participants to try new food too! Some examples of trip meals are:

Breakfast can include 

• egg sandwiches
• oatmeal and fixings
• hashbrown fry up with eggs
• fried granola  

Lunches can include 

• pasta salad
• sandwiches
• pita pizzas 
• wraps with veggies, hummus, cheese and salami 

Dinners can include

• hamburgers or hot dogs
• stir fry
• loaded mac and cheese 
• quesadillas