Latest News & Updates:
- Camp Celiac is moving!!! We will be moving from Camp Aldergate in N. Scituate, RI to Happiness is Camping (HIC) in Harwick, NJ!
- Mark your calendars! Camp will be held from July 28th through August 2nd in 2024!!
CAMP CELIAC F.A.Q.
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 utilizes the facilities of Happiness is Camping (HIC), located in Hardwick, NJ, for one week each year. HIC is a non-profit, ACA-accredited overnight camp serving the families of children, ages 6-16, with cancer and sickle cell disease. These special children and their families are invited to come to this unique camp free of charge where they can put aside their illness and do what kids like to do….have fun! Since its founding in 1981, HIC has hosted over 18,000 children and their families. The camp is located on 145 acres in northwest New Jersey approximately 2 hours from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from New York City, and 4.5 hours from Boston.
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 Happiness is Camping (HIC) in beautiful Hardwick, NJ. The property is situated on 145 acres of woods, fields, and trails, including a pool, small lake for boating & fishing, archery range, ropes course, nature center, outdoor sports fields, a gymnasium, dining hall, health lodge and much more. Campers will stay in one of the 3 areas in climate controlled facilities with attached bathroom facilities.
Camp Celiac and HIC 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.
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
International Village
International Village consists of 5 individual log cabins that sleep 10 with 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks. Cabins also have a small porch and are wheelchair accessible. Each cabin is climate controlled.
Main Lodge
This modern building consists of 8 separate bedrooms above the main dining hall. Each bedroom sleeps 6-10 people and have their own bathroom. This facility is climate controlled.
Grammercy Lodge
This lodge consists of 4 bedrooms under the same roof. Each room sleeps 10 people and has access to a bathroom containing 2 toilets, 2 showers, and 2 sinks. This facility is climate controlled.
Camp Activities
Swimming & boating
Waterfront activities such as swimming, boating and fishing are available for campers to enjoy at the private pool & 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 basketball & volleyball courts, gaga pits, an 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, 2 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!