I had to keep reminding myself that I could stop scanning the room for potential food threats, that I didn’t have to keep a hawk eye on her all the time to make sure she didn’t touch a deadly food… such an amazing feeling. I wish there were more events like this.
Ananda F.
Food-Free Fun organizes social events in the Portland/Vancouver metro area, where kids and teens who manage food allergies or restrictions can fully and safely participate. We refocus events that usually center around food so that the FUN is central, not the food, and everyone is included! Kids get to meet and make friends with other children like them and parents and caregivers can make face to face connections, support one another and learn something new. You can see photos from some of our past events by clicking here.
Upcoming Program Info
4-Part Speaker Series
Camp Blue Spruce is excited to present the final installment in their 4-part speaker series on Sunday, July 14th at 12pm PST – Teens Living Independently with Food Allergies. Join Dr. Jessica Macdougall to gain independence managing your food allergies and prepare yourself for living away from home. We will talk about recognizing/treating reactions, going to social activities, dating, preparing for college, and visiting an allergist! Click here to register.
Dr. Jessica Macdougall is the director of the Burghardt Food Allergy Center at Oregon Health & Science University, her passion is community and family education about food allergies, as well as providing support and a safe place for families of children with food allergies. As an allergy physician with background in food allergy education, prevention, diagnosis, and management, she has developed transitions of care curriculum for adolescents and young adults with food allergies and worked 1-on-1 with teens as part of her research study. She enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, Izze, as well as visiting the giraffes at the Zoo as much as possible. Her favorite rainy-day activity includes grabbing a coffee and spending hours in Powell’s book store finding the perfect book.
This speaker series designed to combine community, education and fun is made possible through a community award from Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), generous supporters of our community!
Information:
All ages welcome!
Sunday, July 14th
Online through Zoom
Time:
12:00 – 2:00 PM PST
Cost:
Free! Donations to help Camp Blue Spruce continue its programming are kindly accepted.
I wish more communities had these events. It is wonderful for my kids to feel normal: They aren’t the only ones and it is crucial as they develop to know they belong. Thank you for all you do!
T.S.
Who is this for?
Events will list if they are geared toward kids, teens, or the whole family. Space is typically limited and registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received. These are not drop-off events; at least one adult must be present for each group of children.
Our Story
The program’s founders (Elizabeth Moreno, Tracy Lehto, Louise Tippens, and Joanne Smith) gathered in Spring 2016, in order to host social gatherings that were 100% food-free, with an emphasis on events from which children with food restrictions might normally be excluded. The Food-Free Fun founders also wanted to create educational and networking opportunities for parents and caregivers of children with dietary restrictions. Food-Free Fun for Everyone is proud to now be a program of Camp Blue Spruce.