Best Vegan-Friendly Summer Camp in Southern California
Nearly 7.3 million Americans are vegetarians or vegans. That’s about 8% of the total population. Fresh, fast, tasty food with the correct nutritional balance is already a struggle for many camps Add in dietary limitations like a vegan- friendly menu and you may find that the camp food choice is confined to lackluster frozen entrees or salad day after day.
Here at Pali Adventures, we believe that food does more than nourish the body. We believe food is part of the Pali Adventures spirit. Our new, state-of-the-art dining facility, Huckleberry Hall welcomes more than 500 campers and staff to meals three times a day, plus some special events during the week. Vegetarians and vegans are welcome!
Learn why Pali Adventures is the best vegan-friendly camp!
It’s All About the Best Vegan-Friendly Camp Food
The food at Pali Adventures is served buffet-style. Campers are free to make their choice from a variety of main dishes and sides. Camp food is so much more than BBQ beans, hot dogs and s’ mores. Our award-winning executive chef oversees child-friendly favorites such as wraps and burgers, nuggets, pancakes and more.
Don’t worry, every meal includes a vegan and a vegetarian protein selection such as grilled, marinated tofu, hearty chickpea hummus, macaroni and cheese, omelets and more. We even have vegan-friendly BBQ beans, burgers and s’ mores for campers looking for the traditional experience.
It’s not just macaroni or soy curls, either. Our themed food nights might include a veggie stir-fry, incorporate meatless Mexican tacos or delicious Indian curry. Kids (and their parents) regularly rate Pali Adventures’ food as the best—including our vegan-friendly meals.
Starvation Not Allowed
Campers have very full schedules at Pali Adventures. Most campers have hearty appetites and we adjust our portions accordingly. A typical camp offering of a frozen vegan entree won’t make the best vegan-friendly camp food list at Pali Adventures.
We start with a full American-style breakfast that includes hot and cold cereals, tofu scramble, fresh pastries, fruits and more. At lunch and dinner, a fully stocked salad bar plus the main dish gives lots of choices. For example:
- Mixed Iceberg Salad
- Spring Mix Leafy Greens
- Grape Tomatoes
- Spinach
- Cucumber Rounds
- Olives
- Beets
- Garbanzos
- Broccoli Florets
- Peas
- Corn
- Red Bell Pepper
- Carrot Shreds
- Croutons
- Cheese
- Sunflower Seeds
- Fruit
- Salad Dressings
For main dishes, we can always include a vegan or vegetarian option at each meal. Our burger/hot dog bar includes veggie patties made fresh in our kitchen served with a selection of toppings. No frozen spinach lasagnas here!
No Judgement, Just Good Food!
Some people choose a vegan lifestyle for personal reasons. Others may have a medical condition. Still, other people simply don’t like the taste of meat. Vegans skip milk, eggs, honey, and other animal products.
Often, meal ingredients are suspect. A simple protein powder marked suitable for vegetarians may contain gelatin derived from animals or may be acceptable for vegans. Pali Adventures accommodates all.
Our executive chef explains: “We prepare almost all of our food from scratch, every day. We know the ingredients of every dish.”
If your child needs a vegan diet or has food allergies, let us know. We can accommodate almost any request. Our kitchen staff is well trained in food service protocols and we use state of the art sanitation methods to avoid cross-contamination.
Fresh and From Scratch
Pali Adventures maintains its own bakery to ensure that our daily breads and cakes are fresh and free from preservatives. We also control all ingredients and additives to assure even vegans that the recipe is safe without animal products. Fresh foods arrive in our kitchen for preparation daily.
From scratch preparation means that we know the exact content of every dish we serve. If your child is a vegan, our staff can explain all the ingredients of a meal without the fuss. For children who suffer from allergies, our staff can offer information and help them to choose the right foods.
Our high standards mean that campers who follow a vegan diet will find proper nutrition, satisfying taste, and sufficient choices.
Don’t Skip Dessert!
The best vegan-friendly camp food doesn’t stop with main dishes and sides. Our in-house bakery serves up some of the most over-the-top dessert choices too. Egg-free, dairy-free, even honey-free pastries and sweets are on the menu.
Vegan-friendly does not mean bland, preprocessed or boring food. Not even for dessert! Our camper favorite, the midnight chocolate buffet, always includes vegan-friendly options. No one could ever guess that these are “alternative” options!
We serve vegan and vegetarian foods as part of our everyday choices. No camper is singled out for dietary shaming. After all, does anyone really notice if the carrot cake is 100% animal product-free?
Just Ask
Our helpful food and nutrition director and our executive chef are always available to answer questions about our world-class food and nutrition program. For the best vegan-friendly camp food, Pali Adventures has no rivals.
We take pride in freshly made, minimally processed, healthy food that our campers love. Old favorites and innovative new recipes are on the menu at Pali Adventures. Come join us at our open day for a sample!
Does your camper have special dietary needs? Click the Live Chat button below to discuss them with Parent Liaison today!