School camps, excursions and sport

🏕️ Why are school activities important for children with IBD?

School camps, excursions, sports days and physical education are important parts of school life. They give children opportunities to build friendships, develop independence, try new activities and feel included with their classmates.

For children living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), these experiences can sometimes require extra planning.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause unpredictable symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue and urgent toilet trips. Some children may also need regular medication, specific dietary arrangements or additional rest during periods of illness.

These challenges do not automatically mean a child cannot participate.

With thoughtful planning and the right support, many children with IBD can safely enjoy school activities and take part alongside their peers.

The aim is to understand each child's individual needs, make reasonable adjustments and avoid excluding them simply because they have a chronic health condition.

📋 Planning ahead for school camps and excursions

Good communication between families, teachers and school staff can make a significant difference to how comfortable a child feels participating in activities away from home.

Before a camp or excursion, arrange a conversation with the teacher, school wellbeing coordinator or staff member responsible for organising the activity.

Discuss the practical arrangements your child may need, including:

• Access to toilets throughout the day and during travel.

• Medication storage, administration and timing.

• Food requirements and access to suitable meals.

• Rest breaks if fatigue or symptoms develop.

• What to do if your child becomes unwell.

• Who will contact you if concerns arise.

• How your child's privacy will be respected.

You do not need to share every detail of your child's medical history with every staff member. However, the staff responsible for their care should have the information they need to follow the agreed plan and respond appropriately.

If your child already has a school health care plan or individual support plan, review it before the activity to ensure it covers the additional arrangements needed away from school.

🚽 Toilet access away from school

One of the biggest concerns for children with IBD is knowing whether they can access a toilet quickly when they need one.

During a flare, toilet urgency can be sudden and difficult to predict. Even children who are feeling well may worry about being far from a toilet or having an accident in front of their classmates.

Before an excursion or camp, ask the school to consider:

• Whether toilets will be available at each activity location.

• How frequently toilet stops can be made during bus travel.

• Whether the child can leave an activity immediately to use a toilet.

• Whether a private toilet or bathroom is available at the accommodation.

• What arrangements are possible if the nearest toilet is temporarily inaccessible.

For longer bus journeys, staff can plan appropriate toilet stops and identify facilities along the route.

During outdoor activities, ask whether alternative arrangements are needed if toilets are limited or a long distance away.

Children should not have to delay urgent toilet trips or miss out on activities because their toilet needs have not been considered.

A discreet toilet pass or agreed signal can help a child ask for assistance without having to explain their condition in front of other students.

💊 Medication arrangements during camps and excursions

Some children with IBD need medication at specific times during the day, while others may require medication that needs refrigeration, careful storage or special administration arrangements.

Before the activity, speak with the school about your child's medication requirements.

Consider discussing:

• Which medications need to be taken during the activity.

• The correct timing and dosage.

• Who is authorised and trained to administer the medication, where required.

• How medication will be stored securely and at the correct temperature.

• What to do if a dose is missed or your child becomes unwell.

• Whether emergency medication or additional supplies are required under their individual care plan.

Provide the school with up-to-date medication instructions and any relevant written guidance from your child's healthcare team.

Do not assume that medication can be stored in a staff member's bag or left in a child's luggage. Storage and administration arrangements should be agreed in advance, taking into account the medication and the school's policies.

If your child takes medication that suppresses the immune system, ask their treating team whether any particular precautions are needed for the planned activities.

🥪 Food, meals and dietary needs

School camps and excursions often involve meals, snacks and eating arrangements that differ from a child's usual routine.

Some children with IBD have specific nutritional needs, reduced appetites during a flare or dietary restrictions recommended by their healthcare team.

Before the activity, discuss the menu and food arrangements with the school or camp provider.

You may need to ask:

• Can suitable meals be provided for your child?

• Can they bring their own food or snacks if needed?

• Will drinking water be readily available?

• Is there somewhere appropriate to store food or nutritional supplements?

• What happens if your child feels unwell and cannot eat the planned meal?

IBD affects children differently, and there is no single diet that works for everyone. Avoid introducing unnecessary dietary restrictions unless they are recommended for your child's individual needs.

If your child relies on specific nutritional products or has difficulty eating during a flare, discuss arrangements with their dietitian or treating team before the activity.

🏃 Sport and physical education

Many children with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can participate in sport and physical education, particularly when their condition is well controlled.

Physical activity can support fitness, wellbeing, confidence and social connection. Having IBD does not automatically mean a child needs to sit out of PE or miss sporting events. However, symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, urgency and joint discomfort may affect what they can manage on a particular day.

Schools can support participation by:

• Allowing unrestricted access to toilets during sport.

• Providing water and opportunities to rest.

• Offering flexibility to reduce intensity or take breaks when symptoms develop.

• Allowing the child to stop an activity if they feel unwell.

• Adjusting participation temporarily during a flare or recovery.

• Discussing any specific medical restrictions with the family.

The appropriate level of activity depends on the child's symptoms, overall health and any advice from their healthcare team.

The goal is to encourage participation without pressuring a child to push through symptoms.

If your child is experiencing a significant flare, severe fatigue or other complications, speak with their treating team about what activities are appropriate until they recover.

🚌 What about long bus trips and travel?

Travel can be a particular source of anxiety for children who need frequent or urgent toilet access.

A long bus trip may involve limited toilet facilities, traffic delays or uncertainty about when the next stop will be.

When planning an excursion, ask the school to consider:

• The length of the journey and opportunities for toilet stops.

• Whether the child can sit in a location that makes getting off the bus easier.

• Access to water and any necessary snacks.

• A discreet way for the child to tell a staff member if they feel unwell.

• What to do if symptoms develop before reaching the destination.

If your child is anxious about having an accident, discuss their concerns privately and agree on a plan that helps them feel safe.

Knowing that adults have thought about these situations in advance can make it much easier for a child to enjoy the trip.

🛏️ Planning for overnight school camps

Overnight camps may require additional preparation because children are away from their usual routines, family and healthcare team.

Depending on your child's needs, consider discussing:

• Access to a bathroom overnight.

• Medication timing and storage.

• Suitable meals, snacks and fluids.

• Bedding and spare clothing if an accident occurs.

• What happens if abdominal pain, diarrhoea or fatigue develops overnight.

• Which staff member will be responsible for helping your child.

• How parents will be contacted if medical concerns arise.

Some children may feel embarrassed about asking for help, especially when sharing a room with classmates.

Agree on a discreet way for your child to contact a teacher or supervising adult if they need assistance during the night.

If your child is worried about attending, involve them in the planning process.

Understanding what will happen and who can help may reduce anxiety and build confidence.

🚨 What if your child becomes unwell during an activity?

Even with careful planning, symptoms can develop unexpectedly.

Before the activity, make sure the supervising staff know what to do if your child becomes unwell and when they should contact you or seek medical assistance.

The plan should explain:

• Which symptoms require contacting the family or the child's healthcare team.

• Where the child's medication and relevant medical information are kept.

• Who is responsible for supervising the child if they need to leave an activity.

• How urgent medical care will be accessed if necessary.

• What to do if symptoms occur while travelling or staying overnight.

If your child develops severe abdominal pain, significant bleeding, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration or becomes very unwell, seek urgent medical assessment.

Staff should follow the school's emergency procedures and any relevant individual health care plan.

For children with an existing IBD team, make sure the family knows how to contact the team if symptoms worsen during or after the activity.

💙 Helping your child feel confident and included

Sometimes the biggest barrier to participating in school activities is not the activity itself, but the fear of what might happen.

Your child may worry about needing the toilet in front of friends, taking medication away from home, feeling exhausted or having to leave an activity unexpectedly.

You can help by:

• Talking through the activity in advance.

• Asking what your child is most worried about.

• Involving them in decisions about the support they need.

• Agreeing on a discreet way to ask for help.

• Reassuring them that it is okay to take breaks or change plans if they become unwell.

• Encouraging independence while making sure appropriate adult support is available.

Children should not feel that they have to hide their symptoms to fit in.

Teachers can also help by treating adjustments as normal practical arrangements, rather than drawing attention to a student's medical condition.

🤝 Working with the school to make participation possible

Parents and carers can request a planning meeting with the classroom teacher, school wellbeing coordinator or staff member organising the activity.

For children who need ongoing adjustments, a written school support plan can help ensure that arrangements are understood by the relevant staff.

Discuss what your child can usually manage, what may change during a flare and how the school should respond if symptoms develop.

You can also ask the school to review its plans for toilet access, medication administration, food arrangements and emergency care before confirming participation.

Schools have responsibilities relating to student safety, access to education and disability discrimination. Depending on the child's circumstances, IBD may be covered by disability discrimination protections, and reasonable adjustments may be required.

If you are concerned that your child is being excluded from a camp, excursion or sporting activity because of their condition, ask the school to discuss the specific barriers and possible adjustments with you.

The aim is to find practical ways for your child to participate safely and meaningfully wherever possible.

🔗 Where can you find more information?

• Your child's school: Discuss individual health care plans, medication arrangements, toilet access and support during camps and excursions.

• Your child's IBD team: Seek advice about activity levels, fatigue, medication and precautions specific to your child.

• Australian Human Rights Commission: Learn about disability discrimination and students' rights in education at humanrights.gov.au.

This article provides general information for families in Australia and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice. Appropriate arrangements depend on the child's individual needs, the activity and the school's policies. Work with your child's school and healthcare team to plan for safe and inclusive participation.