School Camps and Excursions

School camps and excursions are exciting opportunities for students to learn, have fun and spend time with their friends.

For a student with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, being away from their usual routine can also bring extra worries. They may be concerned about toilet access, food, medication, fatigue or what will happen if they become unwell.

Good planning can reduce those worries and help the student feel confident about taking part.

🗓️ Start planning early

Don't wait until the day before the excursion or camp to work out what the student might need.

Talk with the student, family and appropriate school staff well ahead of time.

Consider:

• How long the student will be away.

• Where they will be staying.

• How far they will be from toilets.

• How medication will be managed.

• What food will be available.

• How the student can access support if they become unwell.

• Whether any activities may need to be modified.

The student's existing health or support plan should guide arrangements where one is in place.

🚽 Find out about toilet access

Toilet access can be one of the biggest concerns for a student with IBD.

Before the trip, find out:

• Where the toilets are located.

• Whether they are available throughout the activity.

• What happens during long bus or coach journeys.

• Whether the student can access a toilet urgently.

• What options are available if the nearest toilet is occupied or unavailable.

Make sure the student knows the plan before they leave.

🚌 Think about travel

Long journeys can be particularly stressful when a student is worried about needing the toilet.

For longer trips, consider:

• Planned toilet stops.

• Where the student will sit.

• What happens if they need to use the toilet unexpectedly.

• Keeping necessary supplies accessible.

• Making sure the student knows who they can approach if they need help.

Avoid drawing attention to these arrangements in front of other students.

💊 Plan for medication

If the student needs medication during the camp or excursion, make sure the appropriate school staff know what the arrangements are.

Follow the school's medication procedures and the student's health or medication plan.

Medication should be handled according to the school's established processes rather than relying on the student to manage everything alone.

🍎 Consider food without making it a big issue

Some students with IBD may have foods they avoid or specific dietary requirements.

This doesn't mean they necessarily need a highly restricted diet.

Before the trip:

• Ask the family about any dietary requirements.

• Check what food will be provided.

• Make arrangements for suitable alternatives where needed.

• Avoid making the student's food choices a topic of discussion with other students.

The student should be able to eat without feeling singled out.

💤 Plan for fatigue

Camps can be exhausting, even for students without a chronic illness.

A student with IBD may have less energy, particularly if they have recently been unwell.

Where appropriate, consider:

• Opportunities for rest.

• A quieter place to take a break.

• Flexibility with particularly demanding activities.

• Allowing the student to sit out temporarily if needed.

Rest doesn't necessarily mean missing out on the whole activity.

🏕️ Think about overnight camps

Overnight camps can bring additional concerns.

The student may worry about:

• Sharing bathrooms.

• Having an accident overnight.

• Other students finding out about their condition.

• Managing medication.

• Feeling unwell away from home.

• Being unable to sleep because of symptoms.

Discuss arrangements privately before the camp.

If the student needs specific accommodation, such as easier access to a bathroom or a little additional privacy, plan this in advance.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Help them stay included

The goal shouldn't be to keep the student safe by excluding them from activities.

Where possible, look for ways they can participate alongside their classmates.

If an activity isn't manageable, consider whether it can be adapted rather than removed completely.

Being able to take part in the shared experience can be important for friendships and confidence.

🤫 Protect their privacy

The student may not want other students to know they have IBD.

Only share information with staff who need to know in order to support the student safely, following school policies and appropriate consent arrangements.

Have a clear plan for what to do if the student becomes unwell without discussing their condition publicly.

❤️ Give the student confidence before they go

A private conversation before the trip can make a big difference.

You could ask:

"Is there anything you're worried about before we go, or anything that would make the trip easier for you?"

They may have practical concerns that adults haven't considered.

Most importantly, let the student know that having IBD doesn't mean they can't enjoy the camp or excursion.

Remember

A little planning can prevent a lot of anxiety.

The goal is not to make a student with IBD feel different. It's to quietly put the right support in place so they can take part, make memories and enjoy the experience with their classmates.