Summer Camp Lunch Ideas

I was a summer camp counselor for many years. The thermos idea is great for days that the children are staying at camp but on days that they are traveling, such as field trip, it is much better for the child to have a completely disposable lunch. A plastic grocery bag holding their lunch can be used to hold garbage and if you freeze a juice pouch overnight, the lunch will stay cold until lunchtime and the child has a slushy treat with their lunch.

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I have three children, so we have tried a lot of things in this house. Particularly we have leaned toward frozen or dried items. We have frozen water bottles, v8 fusion boxes, cheese sticks and grapes, which thaw at just the right time usually. We also work with turkey jerkey and dried fruits and nuts. Another great option is a little tub of peanut butter or soy nut butter that can be used with apple or celery slices, or spread on crackers.

SMILE On!

Miss Lori

I make quesadillas, cut them into triangles and throw them in a plastic sandwich bag. My kids love them cold as much as they do warm and you can put meat or veggies and get creative!

Fruit kabobs, hot dogs in a thermos, ham/turkey and cheese wraps, salads (I send with package of dressing), carrots/cucumbers and ranch dressing. Just some ideas.

My four and six yr old sons like to make their own "lunchables" with things we have at home.

Hi Christie-

I'm not sure if you read any of the ideas from moms who posted advice for a mom looking for side dishes for her child's lunch.(She posted her request recently.) Here's the website I mentioned to her and I will tell you the same:

http://www.laptoplunches.com/ideas.html

You may have to become a member to see all the photos and ideas but it's free.

My kids love whole wheat pitas with cream cheese and black olives. It's a good way to mix up the lunch routine. We've also done pita or flatbread with hummus or baba and added sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. It's also tasty and healthy for adults, so I add a little spice or seasoning to mine. Flatbread is also easy to use as a pizza crust. Pita pockets are easy to throw anything into- we've even put salad in there.

Pasta salad is a great idea, it won't go sour or bad if you don't make it creamy.

Another great item is www.gopicnic.com they have allergy friendly items, contains no MSG, high fructose corn syrup, no transfats, artificial flavors, colors, etc. Great for traveling, plane rides, and camp lunches. I have no affiliation with them, just a good recommendation.

J. W. MPH
Chicago Examiner Family Health Expert
http://www.examiner.com/x-7158-Chicago-Family-Health-Exam...

baby carrots, celery, crackers, cheese sticks or cut, granola bars, teddy grahams, goldfish, cut up fruit, popped popcorn in a ziplock bag, the occasional Lunchables. If salad is an option hang onto cheese or margarine containers and you can use them for salad and then the child can just throw it away when finished.