At Over The Wall Camp, the safety of our campers, volunteers, staff and wider community is our top priority. Recognising the number of those with severe nut allergies, we’re committed to maintaining a nut-free environment, which now applies to our new home in Ockbrook.
What does this mean?
No nuts, or nut-containing products, are allowed on-site to protect visitors with life-threatening allergies. While products labelled “may contain traces of nuts” due to manufacturing processes may be present, every effort is made to minimise risks.
Why does camp need to be nut-free?
Peanuts and tree nuts are the foods most known to cause anaphylaxis. *Nut allergies are common; about 1 in 50 children and 1 in 200 adults in the UK have one. Out of the 34 children with allergies who attended our Allergy Family Camp in 2024, 30 of them had a nut allergy (note: some had other allergies alongside this.)
*With a much higher anaphylaxis rate, peanut and tree nut allergies are more likely to be associated with severe anaphylactic reactions and fatalities compared to milk, egg, and other food allergies.
What is anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires 999, immediate use of an adrenaline auto-injector, and hospital treatment. Reactions usually happen quickly and can be triggered by tiny traces of nuts. Symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing and swallowing, wheezing, hives, feeling tired or confused, feeling faint, dizzy or fainting, cold, blue or grey skin. Anaphylaxis can be fatal.
What about other allergens at camp?
In addition to nuts, we recognise the importance of awareness and management of the 14 main allergens identified under UK law. While the other twelve allergens are not prohibited on-site as nuts are, we encourage vigilance and clear labelling of foods that may contain them. Specific measures will be implemented during allergy-focused camps or high-risk events, and separate communications will be provided in those instances.
Learn more about our nut-free policy
References
Peanut & Tree Nut Allergy | Anaphylaxis UK
Peanut allergy & tree nut allergy – Allergy UK Factsheet
Peanut allergy and anaphylaxis – PMC
*Sicherer & Sampson, 2014 – Food Allergy: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment