Going on a school camp with IBD

Going on a school camp can be exciting — but if you have IBD, you might have a few extra things on your mind.

You might be wondering:

“What if I need the toilet?”

“What if I get sick while I'm away?”

“Who will know about my IBD?”

“What if I need my medicine?”

“What if I have an accident?”

These are all completely reasonable things to think about.

Having IBD doesn't automatically mean you can't go on camp. With some planning and the right support, you can still have a great time.

🏕️ Start planning early

Don't leave everything until the night before.

Talk to your parent or carer, your school and your IBD team well before camp.

Together, you can work out what support you might need and make a plan for anything that could be difficult.

Your plan might include:

• Who at school knows about your IBD

• Who you can go to if you feel unwell

• How you'll access the toilet

• Where your medicines will be kept

• What happens if you need medicine during the day

• What to do if you need to go home

• How you'll manage food and drinks

• What to do if your symptoms suddenly get worse

Having a plan doesn't mean something will go wrong.

It means you'll know what to do if something does happen.

🚽 Know your toilet situation

This is one of the biggest worries for many people with IBD.

Before camp, find out:

• Where the toilets are

• How far they are from your accommodation

• Whether you'll have access to a toilet during activities

• What happens if you need to go urgently

• Whether you'll be able to use a toilet at night

If you're worried about not making it to the toilet, tell a teacher.

You shouldn't have to wait or ask in front of everyone if you urgently need to go.

Your school can help make sure you have a way to get to a toilet quickly.

🎒 Pack your IBD essentials

Having the things you need with you can make you feel much more confident.

Depending on your symptoms and what works for you, you might pack:

• Spare underwear

• Spare clothes

• Tissues or toilet paper

• Gentle wipes

• A waterproof bag for dirty clothes

• Your water bottle

• Any medicines you need

• Snacks you know you can tolerate

• Period products, if you need them

• Anything else that makes you feel comfortable

You don't have to tell everyone what's inside your bag.

It's simply your “just in case” kit.

💊 Don't forget your medicines

Make sure your medicines are organised before you leave.

Talk with your parent, carer and school about:

• Which medicines you need

• When you need to take them

• Who will look after them

• How you'll take them privately

• What happens if you forget a dose

Don't change or skip your medicines just because you're going on camp.

Your school and parent/carer should know what to do if there is a problem with your medication.

🍎 What about food?

Camp food can sometimes feel stressful if you have foods that don't agree with you.

Before camp, talk to your parent, school and, if needed, the camp organisers about what you'll be eating.

You might need to:

• Let the camp know about your dietary needs

• Take some familiar snacks

• Know what food options will be available

• Have a plan for meals if you're having symptoms

You don't need to follow a completely different diet just because you're going on camp.

The important thing is having access to food and drinks that work for you.

💧 Keep drinking

Being active, travelling and spending time outdoors can make it easy to forget to drink.

Take your water bottle with you and drink regularly.

If you've recently had diarrhoea or have been told by your healthcare team to use oral rehydration fluids, make sure you know what your individual plan is before you go.

😴 You might need more rest

Camps can be exhausting.

There might be early mornings, late nights, lots of walking and activities all day.

If you're recovering from a flare, you might not have the same energy as everyone else.

That's okay.

You might need to:

• Take a break

• Sit out of an activity

• Go to bed earlier

• Rest during the day

• Take things at your own pace

You don't have to do everything.

Going on camp isn't a competition.

🏃 What about activities?

Having IBD doesn't necessarily mean you have to sit out of camp activities.

You may be able to join in with most or all activities when you're feeling well.

If you're recovering from a flare or have been told to limit certain activities, your healthcare team can help you understand what's appropriate.

Tell a teacher if you're struggling.

You don't need to push yourself just because everyone else is carrying on.

💬 Who needs to know?

You don't have to tell your whole class about your IBD.

But it is important that the right adults know.

Your parent or carer can talk to the school before camp and make sure the teachers or staff responsible for you understand:

• That you have IBD

• What your symptoms can look like

• Your toilet needs

• Your medication plan

• What to do if you become unwell

• Who to contact if there is a problem

You can also decide how much you want your friends to know.

If someone asks why you need to leave suddenly, you can simply say:

“I need to go to the toilet.”

You don't owe anyone a detailed explanation.

😟 What if I'm worried about having an accident?

This can be one of the hardest worries to talk about.

But remember: having an accident would not be your fault.

Preparing a spare set of clothes can help you feel more confident.

You could also make a plan with a trusted teacher about what you'll do if it happens.

The goal isn't to expect an accident.

It's to know that you'll be okay if one happens.

📱 Have someone you can contact

Being away from home can feel harder when you're not feeling well.

Before camp, find out who you can contact if you're worried or unwell.

You might have:

• A teacher you're comfortable talking to

• Your parent or carer

• Another trusted adult

• An agreed way to contact home

Knowing you can reach someone can make being away from home feel much easier.

🩺 What if I start feeling unwell?

Tell an adult early.

Don't try to hide your symptoms because you're worried about missing out.

Tell someone if you notice things like:

• Increasing tummy pain

• More frequent diarrhoea

• Blood in your poo

• Feeling very tired or weak

• Feeling dizzy

• Vomiting

• A fever or feeling generally unwell

Your teachers aren't there to judge you.

They're there to help keep you safe.

💛 You don't have to be embarrassed

IBD can sometimes involve things that feel embarrassing — especially when you're surrounded by classmates.

But needing the toilet more often, taking medicine or needing extra support doesn't make you weird.

You have a medical condition. It's not your fault.

The people around you don't need to know every detail.

You just need the right people to know enough to support you.

🌟 You can still have fun

Try not to spend the whole camp worrying about what might happen.

You could miss out on an amazing experience if you spend every moment thinking about your IBD.

You've planned ahead.

You've packed what you need.

The adults know how to support you.

Now try to enjoy yourself.

Get involved when you can.

Laugh with your friends.

Try something new.

Stay up talking in your cabin.

Take photos.

Make memories.

And if you need a break, take one.

💛 Remember

Having IBD might mean you need to plan a little more than some of your friends.

That's okay.

Planning doesn't mean you're different. It means you're prepared.

Talk to your parent or carer and school early, make a plan that works for you, pack your essentials and know who you can turn to if something goes wrong.

You deserve to enjoy camp just like everyone else.

IBD is coming with you — but it doesn't have to stop you from having an adventure. 🏕️💛

🎒 Printable School Camp Packing Checklist

Going on camp? Use this checklist to help you get organised.