I have 2 girls in my troop with severe peanut allergies, they always have their epi pens on hand, we are planning on going up for a day of camping with our service unit, the encampment director is telling us its not safe for the girls because there could be peanut residue. Does anyone have any girls with severe peanut allergies in their troop and have they gone camping?

I have never had a girl w/ a peanut allergy so severe that she carried her epi pen w/ her. Where does the encampment director think the peanut residue will be--the lodge, the kitchen, the tents? I believe if this camping trip is being sanctioned in anyway by your Council it must be available for all girls to attend. Steps should be taken by the staff to ensure all girls safety. Have you talked to your girls' parent? Will the parent be attending with you? Ultimately I would leave it up to the parent to decide if it was safe enough for the girls to attend. I would be having a meeting with the parent, your SU manager, and the person in charge of safety at your Council to discuss how everyone is going to make Girl Scouts accessible and safe for these girls.

thanks for your suggestions! one of the girls' mother is attending as she is also a co leader, they are fearful that the residue could be anywhere and the encampment director has said that she cant guarantee their safety, yes I told my parents it is ultimatelty their call and if they decide to go both parents must come along. I just find it hard to believe that this is the first time its ever come up for camp, with peanut allergies more common now than ever.