DS Survived Camping Trip

[Greenlady]

Hello all - it's been a while since I posted, but I just wanted to share my relief with those that I know would understand.  DS (age 13, PA) just came back safely from a 75-mile canoe/hiking trip in the Maine wilderness.   He had five epipens and an evaculation plan in case of a reaction, but all went well.  Although ironically enough, one of his fellow campers did find out that he had an previous unidentified allergy to peas (mild reaction, stopped by benedryl).

[GoingNuts]

Welcome back!

That's great news.  Can I Ask what he used for nonperishable food?  What are his allergens?

[Greenlady]

Thanks!  He's just allergic to peanuts.  They ate mainly rice and beans but they had some other dried foods- peas and pasta and chicken and jerky.  They also did some fishing and digging for mussels.

[CMdeux]

That's fantastic to hear, Greenlady.

(It's also really, really wonderful to see you.     )

[GoingNuts]

Good to know.

DS's college has an optional 4 day wilderness trip before school starts as a "get to know you/bonding" experience.  He declined to go on it, because he knew food would be an issue and he didn't want his first introductions to everyone to be about the food - trail mix, PB&J, etc.

Plus, his idea of roughing it is a Hampton Inn. 

[rebekahc]

 

It's always so nice to hear when things work out and I know it's a big relief for you! 

[Mookie86]

Nice to hear from you!  Great news that the camping trip went well.  It sounds like quite the experience!

[Mfamom]

That's fantastic to hear, Greenlady.

(It's also really, really wonderful to see you.     )

happy to see you

[Greenlady]

Good to know.

DS's college has an optional 4 day wilderness trip before school starts as a "get to know you/bonding" experience.  He declined to go on it, because he knew food would be an issue and he didn't want his first introductions to everyone to be about the food - trail mix, PB&J, etc.

Plus, his idea of roughing it is a Hampton Inn. 

Yeah, it really helped that DS was camping with a group he's been with for a couple of years.  They are used to helping him look out for his allergies.  That was part of the reason I was okay with him going. 

Funny that he's turned into such a wilderness buff - he certainly didn't get it from either DH or me!

[GoingNuts]

I hear ya Greenlady.  DS had been going on an annual trip with his school where they stayed at a YMCA camp and did lots of wilderness and team building exercises.  Many of those kids knew him since they were 3 years old, and are super-protective of him.  Not to mention that one of his buddies has the same allergies that he does, so that helped too.  And kudos to the staff @ the camp, they totally got it too.  After the first year I was really able to relax about the trip.

I'm terrified of him leaving this protective cocoon he's been in.  When I read of the experiences that others have, it makes me cry.  We've had nothing but positive experiences here wrt FA's.