Family Camp

East Bay Camp in Hudson, IL

September 23th-25, 2011

History – Started at the beginning years of the PKU Organization of IL, by a group of parents wanting a fun weekend geared towards PKU in 1981.

For some time now, the weekend has always been the last weekend in September and it’s been at East Bay Camp in Hudson, IL for many years now.

It’s a great family weekend with loads of activities and all kinds of low protein food and treats.  Campers stay in cabins, tents or a nearby hotel.  There is a main cabin where we eat, play ping-pong, do crafts or just hang out.   In the main cabin are kitchen facilities for cooking and a refrigerator for food and formula.

Everyone brings PKU and Non-PKU food to share and treats are available Friday night through Sunday morning in the main cabin.  They are all set up on the big table in the kitchen and available day or night.

Low-protein foods are purchased by the organization and on Saturday lunch is served to all campers at the campsite dining hall – with low protein foods and PKU friendly items in abundance.  Saturday night, with the help of volunteers, a dinner is served at the campsite.  It varies from year to year a- with a special focus on fun and unique options for PKUers for dinner and dessert.  Sunday morning a big breakfast is served – in 2009 we had everything for PKU ranging from baked goods to toast with jelly and “peanut butter” to pancakes to veggie meatballs and scrambled “eggs” and of course a wide variety of cereal.

Some annual activities include fishing, swimming, dancing in the rec room, critter cabin, bon-fire, organized games and a bounce hut for the little ones.  The Kimbralls always organize a fun craft activity for parents and kids alike Saturday before dinner and there’s plenty of time to just hang out and chat with the rest of the group.  The troopers among the group hang out by the bonfire after the kids have gone to bed on Saturday.

Campers can arrive Friday night or Saturday morning and stay for the day or one night or two.  The cabins are a bit rustic, but fun and there are hotel options if that is your preference.

The low protein food ordered for lunch and dinner can be tailored to specific needs and there is food brought by families to share.  All detailed information on what you need to bring and the schedule for the weekend are sent out before hand and the cost is very low, with the organization subsidizing most of the event. $15 per adult and $5 per child and PKUers at no charge.