Summer Camp Food for Kids

written By Tanda Leigh Cook, ND

With school coming to an end and kids getting itchy for summer camps it can be challenging as a parent to know what to pack for your child to eat to keep them satiated and satisfied for the hours they are off hiking, fishing, riding horses, or any other adventurous activity that suits them.

Here are five easy tips for packing healthy, satisfying lunches for your kids:

Think Dried Dried veggie chips, dried fruit and jerky lasts longer in lunch bags than the fresher versions.  If you have a food dehydrator these are easy things to make yourself, you can even get your kids involved by taking them to the grocery store and having them pick out which items they want to snack on.

Think Cool Paper bags are good for peanut butter and jelly with an apple, but not much else.  Not to mention they rip easily and food gets bruised, crushed and squished.  Purchase a small cooler and a thermos with an ice pack and the variety of foods that you can send them off with just got a whole lot broader.  You can also freeze water bottles and use them as drinks and a way to keep food cool for hours.

Think Whole Whole foods are always better than processed; they contain higher levels of fiber, vitamins and minerals.  Choose veggies, fruits, meats, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and steer away from the cookies, cakes, crackers and cereals.

Think Quick As a busy parent “quick” is the key word. Pick a day of the week where you can prepare grab bags for lunches that can then be thrown together later in the week.  In small zip locks put single size servings of mixed nuts, dried fruits, veggies chips or gluten free pretzels.  In small containers you can prepare fruit salad cups, cheese and crackers, veggies and humus or, chips and salsa.

Think Fun Kids love a little surprise, add something fun to their lunchbox; a sticker, ribbon wrapped dessert, use cookie cutters to make their food fun shapes, a hand written note or picture of their favorite pet.  When using tortilla wraps roll them up then cut into pinwheel shapes or have “make your own” lunches, where they can assemble their own sandwiches, tacos or pizzas.


Camping Conducive Snacks and Lunches

Pesto turkey wrap with lettuce and shredded carrot, fruit cup, and veggie chips

Bean burritos with shredded lettuce and avocado, baby carrots with dip, dried fruit

Cheese and rice crackers with lunchmeat, banana with peanut butter or almond butter, popcorn

Rice cakes with bean spread, lettuce and deli meat, a pickle, fruit bar, your kids favorite dessert

Deviled eggs, carrot and celery sticks with humus, mixed nuts, and fruit cup


SNACKS

Popcorn

Chips and salsa or humus and veggies

Bite sized fruit like cherries, strawberries, Clementine slices, grapes, and berries

Dried fruit, nuts or fruit and nut bars

Jerky-beef or turkey

Sliced carrots, celery, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes with dips like humus, dressing or black bean spread

Rice crackers and cheese

Apple chips or veggie chips

Apple or banana slices with nut butters

If your child is away for an overnight summer camp here are some great ideas and resources for putting together a care package.


Camp Care Package Ideas
Fill their box with mixed nuts and chocolate, protein and fruit bars, cheesy popcorn, homemade Chex mix, dried fruits and veggies, and of course, their favorite homemade baked good that you prepare.  You could also include mini board games, a Frisbee, playing cards, magazines or books that they would love, a disposable camera, and some family photos.

Make a gluten free snack pack with www.freefromgluten.com. You pick the items and they’ll ship it off.

If you are sending food, make sure the camp allows it, as food can attract animals and may not be permitted.


Written by Tanda Leigh Cook, ND, Clearwater Healthcare Bozeman, MT