A pounding heart, butterflies in the stomach, extra worries: Did I pack everything they need? Will everything go as planned?

When your child travels alone for the first time, even if it is only for an overnight trip with the school – every parent shares these concerns. The parent of a child with celiac disease has the additional worry of whether the diet can be maintained while away from home.

Whether it is a school outing, a language trip abroad, summer camp, or even an overnight with friends – all of a sudden you are faced with sending your child away alone for the first time. This moment is an important learning experience - for both the parent and the child. With careful planning, attention to detail and the very difficult part of letting go - the experience will foster self esteem and build confidence.

Sending your child on a trip by themselves or away to camp is a matter of trust. Trust in the school, cafeteria or camp staff that they will care for your child’s needs – but also trust in your child. You hope that all those years of encouraging your child to eat their vegetables, drink their milk, and the safe foods on a gluten free diet will be remembered.

We are lucky today there are so many good gluten free products to choose from. Your child can enjoy a variety of gluten free breakfast cereals, cookies, crackers, even pasta and sandwiches – just like the other children!

We have compiled some suggestions to allay your fears and let you both enjoy the experience.

• The first step to contact the trip leaders. They may have experience with the gluten free diet already, but to be sure to send them a packet of information on what foods are safe and which are to be avoided.
• Find out if a meal will be needed on the trip. If so find out the location.
• Determine if the restaurant can provide a gluten free meal – review the menu choices with your child.
• If the planned meal stop is too questionable – pack a picnic for your child. Include a surprise – a note, small toy or even cards that could be played on the trip.
• The second step is to check on the destination.
• Check to see if any of the local stores carry your child favorite gluten free products.
• Then contact the staff at the destination. Again send off a packet of information to them. Include in the packet a list of your child’s favorite gluten free products, where they can be purchased locally, or which companies can ship the product to them.
• Offer to send some products to them so they will have them on hand when your child arrives.
• Make sure to send a few extra supplies (cookies, breadsticks, or crackers) that your child can share with the other children on the train or bus. Be sure to tuck an extra box of pasta and loaf of bread into their luggage as a security measure. In that way if they get delayed en- route there will be additional foods the child can have.

Most important remember that the trip, overnight, or camp experience is the experience we want the child to enjoy. It is hard to believe but it is not all about the food – but rather all about the child and their growing up.

So grab the box of tissues – don’t worry - you have planned well and wish your child Bon Voyage!

What to pack?

Backpack:

• Breadsticks
• Shortbread cookies
• Hazelnut bars
• Chocolate dipped cookies

Lunch on the road:
Sandwich made with classic white roll
Luggage:

• Loaf of classic white bread
• Box of pasta
• Pizza Crusts

To send:

• Pasta
• Bread
• Pizza Crust
• Cookies, breadsticks and crackers