Working out of our main kitchen in the Squeah Lodge, Squeah Food Services takes pride in serving our Outdoor Education groups balanced meals that are both delicious and nutritious.
At Camp Squeah, our spacious dining hall accommodates up to 200 voracious appetites. Meals are typically served cafeteria-style, with students encouraged to help with after meal cleanup, clearing tables and sweeping the floor. Dinners include a homemade dessert from our kitchen, such as creampuffs, brownies & ice cream, fruit pies, Bears on the Beach, just to name a few. Each meal always offers healthy options of fruit and/or vegetables.
All Squeah cooks are FoodSafe Level 1 certified, who take great care when catering to the dietary restrictions of our school groups. Dietary or food allergy information is collected through the registration process. Open dialogue with the cooks regarding meal plans is always welcome.
Please note: No food or beverage items containing nuts are allowed in the Squeah kitchen and dining room. This includes almond milk.
Some of our values include:
- Purchase local produce and food products whenever possible
- Maintain composting and recycling programs
- Reduce waste in the dining hall as much as possible
- Run a seasonal garden on-site for food and education
- Cater to various dietary restrictions
FAQs
Does Camp Squeah cater to students and teachers with food allergies?
Camp Squeah Food Services caters to most guests’ dietary restrictions. If a guest’s food requirements are complicated or contain multiple allergens, the Food Services Manager may contact the student’s parents/guardians to mutually strategize agreeable meal plan for the student. The menu is reviewed and if any gaps are identified, the kitchen can prepare alternate food for the guest. In the case where a guest has specific, specialized food, which the kitchen team cannot accommodate, s/he may be asked to bring it with them. The camp has a refrigerator specifically for staff and guests to store specialty food items.
A student or teacher is Celiac and I’m concerned about cross-contamination.
We have a lot of experience with dietary restrictions and food allergies. We have cared for Celiacs before, including staff members. When deemed necessary we have put together a sealed tote with utensils and such to use for Celiacs only.
A student or teacher is deathly allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and carries an epi pen with them at all times. How can I be sure s/he will be safe?
The Squeah kitchen and dining room are nut-free so there would be no chance of a student or teacher coming into contact with nuts from our kitchen. We only stock sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds in our pantry. PLEASE NOTE, however, that we are not certified nut-free, and that the Camp Squeah site in general is not nut-free.
What if a student is picky?
While we cannot cater to each student’s personal tastes, at each meal we usually have several choices for them. If this is a concern for you, we suggest talking with the Food Services Manager on the opening day registration of your retreat.
A child doesn’t sing, does that mean s/he will go hungry?
We encourage students to participate in the pre-meal camp song, but it is not mandatory to sing along…or do the accompanying actions for that matter. But it is a lot of fun that they will be missing out on. Just saying.