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Food Service at HoneyRock

Serving Your Campers Healthy, Filling, & Great Food at HoneyRock

We think time sharing a meal around the table is important—critical—to your camper's growth and development at HoneyRock. While they're gathered around the table, campers are learning how to ask for what they need (pass the meatballs, please!), start a conversation (how was your activity this morning?), and be fully present as they interact with their cabin leaders and friends. 

Our Food Service team is led by Chef Thomas Wiley. He and his team make it their key goal over the summer to provide healthy, filling, and kid-friendly options. During camper sessions, the following options are available every day to meet the needs of campers with food allergies and special diets:

  • Regular Soy Milk
  • Gluten-free bread/buns*
  • Vegetarian Option
  • Salad bar options during lunch and dinner
  • Fruit options during breakfast, lunch, and dinner

During ALL camper sessions in the summer, there are no nuts or foods that have nuts in them served in the dining hall. The HoneyRock dining hall is considered a nut-free zone.

NOTES:

  • HoneyRock does its best to accommodate vegan diets or combo-restricted diets but it cannot promise robust options for combo restricted diets (i.e., diets that combine restrictions for gluten-free, vegetarian, and/or dairy/lactose). 
  • Gluten-free options are set aside and available only for campers and students with gluten allergies or who are on a gluten-free diet for medical reasons*
  • The HoneyRock kitchen and staff are only responsible for the food that we prepare and serve. We are not liable for outside snacks or meals brought in by campers, parents, or other guests.

For Campers with Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs

If your child has multiple food allergies or needs, please contact the Health Center by email at honeyrock.nurse@wheaton.edu or by phone at 630.752.6143.

HoneyRock is committed to giving each camper a safe and healthy experience. Before your child attends camp and during their camp session we ask that you as a parent and your child partner with us to establish a circle of protection when it comes to food allergies and special dietary needs. For this circle of protection to be successful every partner, parent, child, and HoneyRock staff have specific roles and responsibilities that must be followed. If you have any questions regarding this information or would like to discuss the specific needs of your child please feel free to contact our staff. 

You should clearly describe your camper’s food allergy or special dietary need on his/her medical form. Include a list of foods to which your camper is allergic, and the specific symptoms he/she typically experiences during an allergic reaction. 

Again, if you have questions don't hesitate to contact our Health Center by email at honeyrock.nurse@wheaton.edu or by phone 630.752.6143.

Here are the roles and responsibilities that will establish a circle of protection around your camper and their food allergies and special dietary needs:


Be sure your child knows his/her food allergies or special diet, the symptoms and signs of a possible allergic reaction, as well as what to do if they experience any reaction, no matter how small. Educate your camper regarding the self-management responsibilities of his/her food allergy or special diet. 

Things your camper should know and do:

  • Know safe and unsafe foods for his/her diet.
  • Have strategies for avoiding exposure to unsafe foods.
  • Recognize symptoms of allergic reactions.
  • Never eat anything if they are unsure of the ingredients.
  • Never share food with others.
  • Ask a counselor or food service staff member if they are unsure about what is safe to eat.
  • Know how and when to tell an adult about a possible allergic response.
  • Know how to read a food label, especially those at the Beehive.

Your camper should understand that meals are served family style, but he/she must come up to the serving window to obtain his/her option to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and to find out from the kitchen staff what is safe to eat at the table and what is not. Never assume or think you know what ingredients are in an item. If you are unsure always ask a kitchen staff member. The camper should:

  • Thoroughly wash his or her hands before and after meals.
  • NEVER trade food with other campers.
  • NEVER eat anything with unknown ingredients.
  • Read every label and/or check with a counselor when purchasing food at the Beehive.
  • Seek help from his/her counselor or staff member if there is a reaction, even if it is mild.

You should clearly describe your camper’s food allergy or special dietary need on his/her medical form. Include a list of foods to which your camper is allergic, and the specific symptoms he/she typically experiences during an allergic reaction. It is the parent's responsibility to both ensure all medical information is up to date and educate your camper regarding the self-management responsibilities of their food allergy or special diet (see Camper Responsibilities, above).

To review your camper's medical information, access your account and click "View Itineraries".

We ensure that all kitchen staff members are trained in food handling safety to avoid cross-contamination. The kitchen will obtain a list of students with food allergies or special diets from the health center staff and maintain knowledge of which food products contain allergens. 

During meals that are outside of the dining hall (Wrangler Breakfast, Smores, Overnight camping trips, etc.) the following precautions are followed:

  • Emergency medications and authorizations accompany the camper and/or counselor.
  • The trip kitchen supervisor receives a special diet/food allergy list from the health services staff, packs options for campers with special dietary needs and takes special precautions to avoid cross contamination.
  • The counselor has access to information regarding their camper and his/her food allergy or special diet.
  • The counselor has the ability to call/contact emergency assistance.
  • During outside of the dining hall meals campers are expected to use the same precautions they use inside the dining hall.
  • They should always ask their counselor about ingredients and never eat anything if they are unsure about what is in it.
  • They should never share food with others.

Health services staff will confirm and share the list of all food allergy and special dietary needs with counseling, kitchen, and trip kitchen staff. All medications will be kept by health services staff and administer when necessary. 

The nursing staff will insure all counseling staff is trained and informed on how to notice the symptoms of an allergic reaction and how to respond to allergic reactions. 

  • Review signs and symptoms of allergic reactions with the health services staff during summer training and before each new session.
  • Introduce the campers with food allergies or special dietary needs to the kitchen staff and review with them the dining hall procedures.
  • Remind all students to thoroughly wash their hands before and after meals.
  • Assure the camper with food allergies or a special diet is taken care of first or is served first if necessary.
  • Notify health services staff immediately of any suspected reaction, no matter how mild.

Fresh From the HoneyRock Bakery

The legendary HoneyRock bakery shares its secrets. From the recipe vault, we're breaking out some of our most-loved baked goods for you to make at home with your family. Tap the photo for the recipe!

vanguard cooking in the kitchen

Pizza Dough

While HoneyRock sticks to the classic toppings, this pizza dough can be easily topped with your favorite veggies and maybe even some pineapple! And have you tried putting M&Ms on once it's fresh out of the oven? 

working in the honeyrock bakery

Oatmeal Bake

You either love it or dodge it with the cereal bar...Oatmeal Bake. We can get away with calling it healthy because there's oatmeal in the name, but really it's a sweet breakfast treat.

sisters working in the kitchen

Banana Bread

We didn't adjust this recipe down to make one lonely loaf. This recipe will make three—one for you and two for a couple of lucky neighbors. 

Check Out Some HoneyRock Recipes And Try Them At Home! 

 

Thank you for helping my daughter with her special needs diet. She loved the food! — 2020 Camper Parent
The food was amazingly good, specifically the special diet (gluten-free). Best camp food in all the years of camp experience. — 2020 Camper Parent