Four Fun Peanut-Free Lunches for Camp!

At YMCA Camp Oakasha, your child is going to be active all day long and in order to keep them that way it's important to pack them a hearty and healthy lunch.  It's also important when packing your child's lunch (or helping them pack it!) that you remember the health of the other campers.  Since so many campers have allergies to peanuts and other nuts, it's a good rule to stay away from them.  Here are four lunch ideas that are peanut free!  

1.  Pasta Salad with Veggies!  An essential summer food, pasta salad with veggies, cheese, or whatever pleases your child will keep your camper full throughout a packed afternoon of camp fun.  Whole wheat pasta and different flavors of salad dressing will help to change up this classic!  

2.  Pita Pockets!  Pitas are a fun way to eat anything, especially veggies and hummus, pepperoni and cheese, or cream cheese.  Have your children help you pick out the fillings and assemble during lunch time.  Lunch will just be a continuation of Arts & Crafts!   

3.  Cereal and Milk!  Thanks to our refrigerator, your kids could enjoy this cool, breakfast staple for lunch.  Just make sure that the milk won't spill.  With all the fresh fruits and berries this time of year, your campers can even get creative with fun and healthy cereal toppings. 

4.  Leftovers!  Cold pizza?  Check!  Last night's lasagna?  Check!  Corn on the cob? Check!  Gazpacho?!  You get the idea... I've seen it all come out of a lunch box!  Leftovers make it easy to pack lunch the night before and make your morning go more smoothly on the way to the bus.  

Bottom line, get creative!  Involve your kids in making healthy choices for their lunches.  We'll be keeping track of the best, peanut-free, healthy, and "Fun Foods" on our Facebook page through pictures over the summer.  Stay tuned on www.facebook.com/YMCACampOakasha for the winner!