Latest camp updates:
Please contact anne-marie@campceliac.org for assistance with registration.
Mark your calendars!! Camp dates for 2023 have been set!!
Sunday, August 6th – Friday, August 11th
Registration is now available via CampDoc.
Additional information is posted on the registration page.
Camp History
Camp Celiac was started in July of 2000 as a weekend sleep-away camp for children with Celiac Disease. That weekend, fifty-two children were in attendance. The camp was so successful that the children begged for more, and thus Camp Celiac developed into a five-day sleep away camp catering entirely to the needs of the gluten-free diet. We typically have 170 campers and staff coming from across the United States and abroad, having represented over 20 states, Canada, Israel, Sweden, Germany, Australia, and Italy.
Where is camp located?
Camp Celiac uses the facilities of Camp Aldersgate, located in N. Scituate, Rhode Island, for one week each year. Camp Aldersgate is a United Methodist Camp site, an American Camping Association Accredited Camp, and a member of the Rhode Island Association of Camps. With over 280 acres of woods and trails, a lake for swimming and boating, a Retreat Center, dining hall and many cabins, it is a perfect site to have fun, make new friends, and not worry about food! Camp Aldersgate offers many of its own summer camps, but once a year, they close down to all but Camp Celiac, so we can maintain a gluten-free site for our campers. Camp Celiac has been partnering with the wonderful leadership and staff at Camp Aldersgate since 2000!
What is Camp Celiac?
Camp Celiac is a one-week summer camp for approximately 145 children and youth with Celiac Disease, ages 8-16. It is located at the site of Camp Aldersgate in beautiful North Scituate, Rhode Island. The property is situated on 230 acres of woods, fields, and trails, and includes a lake, waterfront cabins, woodside cabins, dining hall, solar bathhouse, a retreat center (including a great hall, sleeping areas, and four lavatories with showers), and a health lodge.
Camp Celiac and Camp Aldersgate have developed layers of safety measures over the years to ensure a safe gluten-free environment. Camp Celiac provides two full time, registered nurses who handle all non-emergency medical needs, including administering medications. Emergency medical transportation is available within seven to ten minutes.
Donations Needed
Why donate to Camp Celiac?
All Volunteer Staff
Camp Celiac is run exclusively by volunteers! Volunteering at Camp Celiac is a fun and rewarding experience. Our volunteers are business owners, teachers, engineers, firemen, architects, chefs, you name it! Everyone brings their uniqueness to the experience and we all benefit from the variety!
We offer need-based grants
Although we charge less than most overnight camps, we understand everyone has different financial situations. It is out goal to ensure that financial hardship never be the reason a child cannot participate.
Camp is a special place
Camp Celiac is a special place for some truly remarkable kids who come from all over the country to enjoy a week full of friends, fun, and gluten-free food!As one young camper loaded her sleeping bag into the car at the end of her first week at camp, she burst out crying and said she wished she could stay. When asked why, she said, “Because I just feel normal here.” Camp Celiac is a place where the disease that usually isolates them, becomes the bond that unifies them.
Camp Lodging
Woodside
Individual cabins for campers ages 8-10. Each cabin contains bunk beds sleeping 8. Cabins are equipped with electrical outlets and ceiling fans. Campground bathhouse including bathroom and shower facilities is located a short walk from the cabins. Closest to nurses' station and camp directors.
Waterfront
Waterfront cabins for campers ages 11-13. Each cabin contain bunk beds sleeping 8-10. Cabins are equipped with electrical outlets, ceiling fans, bathroom and shower facilities. Cabins are centrally located close to the lake and the dining hall.
Retreat Center
Area for campers ages 14-16. Single building with thirteen dorm-style rooms that sleep 4-8 campers each. Rooms are equipped with bunk beds and electric outlets. Separate wings are set up for male & female campers, including bathroom and shower facilities . Contains the Great Hall utilized for camp events.
Camp Activities
Swimming & boating
Waterfront activities such as swimming, boating and fishing are available for campers to enjoy on the private lake.
Songs & S'Mores
Do you know some good camp songs? Join us in singing new ones as well as old favorites! Most evenings, campers enjoy time surrounding the campfire singing songs and having snacks.
Fun & Games
Campers have access to multiple outdoor spaces. These include a basketball court, 3 gaga pits, open field for games and other teambuilding activities.
Arts & Crafts
Campers stay busy having fun! Various activities are scheduled throughout the day for campers to participate in.
Our Directors
Laura Hahn Carroll
Laura has been at camp since 2013. She started as the Chef with a passion for making gluten-free food that everyone would love. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and 2 sons and works in online grocery sales. Her Camp Celiac favorites: night hikes, making s’mores, eating green pizza, soft pretzels and pancake breakfast.
Anne-Marie Reber
Anne-Marie has been with Camp Celiac since 2013. She was diagnosed with Celiac in 2009. She lives in NJ with her husband, two teenage daughters, 3 dogs and 2 cats and teaches middle school math. Her Camp Celiac favorites: making friendship bracelets, playing 9-Square and pizza night!
Mike Richman
“Big Mike” came to Camp as a counselor with his daughter, Mikayla, when she was 7 years old. Mikayla is now 23 and Camp is still their favorite week of the year. Mike owns an Architecture firm in Maine and lives with his wife, son, dog, cats and a revolving number of foster kittens. His Camp favorites: Campfires, watching campers connect with each other, and the Dance!