Diabetes Camp

Jamee - posted on 12/05/2008

Please always send your child to a diabetic camp, until they are fully responsible for their own health. We had a REALLY bad experience at a non Diabetic sleep away camp and almost ended up in the hospital. I still feel like sueing them for negligence. It has been 3 years since and my daughter has finally accepted the idea of going away again.

Deanne - posted on 11/28/2008

Yes ! My daughter has gone for the last 2 years, in WV at Camp Knokoma. The first time she went, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But it was the BEST thing we ever did, letting her go. She is 12 now, and was 11 the first time she went to camp. It is a wonderful experience, to see that they are not alone, that there are so many children out there, just like them. My daughter has made friendships that are going to last a lifetime. And the break is good for us parents.

Wendi - posted on 11/24/2008

My son is 11 years old and went to Diabetic Camp for the first time this summer. He was diagnosed at 10 in June 2007 so I was still fairly new to the whole Diabetic thing when he went to camp. I was really nervous about someone else taking care of him, but they did an awesome job. It was a much smaller camp than most, we live in Utah, but I think that made it more enjoyable for my son. He had the best time and came back with a much more positive attitude about his disease. He wants to go to the winter camp and I can't wait to let him have more positive experiences that will show him he can still do anything he wants to do in life.

Danika - posted on 11/22/2008

Hi Jessica,

I have an 11 year old son with type 1. I sent him to diabetes camp this year in July. It was absolutely wonderful. The biggest concern we as parents of diabetics have, I think, is feeling that no one can take care of our kids diabetes as well as we do. But everyone there is very skilled, and there are juice fairies that come and check blood sugars at night time if sugars are less than whatever number you and your doctor feel is the number. I only had one concern, and that was a bully kid in the camp with my son. My son told the group leader and he talked to the kid but his bad behavior never stopped. He should have been sent home, however, he wasn't. The ADA took that very seriously, and now will not let that boy go back again. There is such a huge wait list for this that they don't need people. They basically prioritize those that have never gone, and those that have never had complaints against. Overall it was one of the best experiences of his life. It was also the first time he was ever away from me since his diagnoses at age 17 months. 6th grade outdoor lab was definitely more scary. When you cross that road, lets talk (if you even have that where you live). We're in Colorado and all the 6th graders go away like diabetes camp, but not everyone knows what they're doing. Much different experience. But I highly recommend the diabetes camp.

Danika King

Kristin - posted on 11/21/2008

My daughter Abby is 11 years old and was diagnosed at age 9 on Dec. 15, 2006. She attended Camp Challenge at Camp Oak Hill which is a diabetes camp up in Oxford, NC for the first time this summer. WakeMed Pediatric Diabetes Program in Raleigh, NC where she is a patient sponsors the camp every year and it was very beneficial for her. She gained a greater knowledge and independence with her diabetes care. She also was able to learn other sites that were good for giving herself insulin shots. She had a blast and is looking forward to going again a 2nd time in the summer of 2009. I highly recommend diabetes camps because I think children with diabetes need to be able to be around other children that have the same challenges they do. I think they also learn a lot from each other. If you have any questions, let me know. We are also linked in with a good group with JDRF. They are also awesome and I highly recommend getting connected with them too.

Michelle - posted on 11/16/2008

It was the best thing ever for my daughter. They have doctors and nurses available and the one my daughter went to, every counselor in their cabins also had diabetes. It was good for my dauhter to see that she wasn't alone with this disease and she now has some friends that she has been keeping in contact with since camp. She hated it the first day and cried for me to not leave her there, but by the second day, she didn't miss me at all. They taught her new locations to give her shots and it was a good break for me to not have to worry about her-she was in good hands.

Jessica - posted on 11/16/2008

Hi Deana. Thank you so much for writing back. I have researched a couple in the area, and the Donvan McNabb camp is not too far from us. It does have a waiting list, so I better get moving! My main concern was the number of caregivers, so your info is very helpful.

Deana - posted on 11/15/2008

Hi Jessica, We sent Brett to his first camp this past August. He Loved It!! We live in Wisconsin, he went to Camp Lakota. It was thru the ADA and the Wisconsin Lions. The kids go by themselves...I had no contact with him for 6 days!! Talk about some anxious and nervous parents! HA! They had about 150 kids there to about 100 staff. They were so organized, I was very very impressed. There was always a staff member with each group of kids with the supplies needed to check blood sugars, supplied with snacks etc. They even had the kids count their own carbs for each meal and then confirm it with a staff member. Brett told his counselor that he can't wait for someone to find a cure for diabetes but he would hold off on taking it until he was 18 so he could keep coming back to camp each year. So, we had a great experience, I would definitely recommend checking into it. Just find out who to talk to, at the camps you are looking into, and they should be more than willing to answer your questions and concerns.