Diabetes Camps Many Diabetic Kids feel isolated & lonely. Especially if they have very little interaction with other diabetics. Diabetes camp is an opportunity for them to meet other children just like themselves. Camp also teaches them valuable information about managing their disease. Many camps teach nutrition, how & when to test their blood properly, to give themselves injections or site changes. They also learn how food & excersize are linked with insulin. They learn independence in dealing with their disease. Some day your diabetic child will have to go into the big bad world by themselves. They will have to be able to take care of their own diabetes. Diabetes camp is a great way to give them the start they need to get ready for that time. Besides it is just so much fun. I had a Diabetes Educator approach me about letting my daughter Ashley go to Diabetes Camp. This was about four years ago. I talked it over with Ashley & neither one of us were ready. I was not ready to leave her with strangers & trust them to manage her diabetes. Ashley did not feel comfortable being away from home for that amount of time. She knew she would be homesick. But, two years ago her attitude changed. She said she thought it would be fun to meet other kids like her. I had done some research on diabetes camps & was very impressed with what I was reading. I knew this would be a wonderful opportunity for her. So we decided the time had come for Ashley to take her first step of independence. We sent a request to Gales Creek Diabetes Camp near Portland Oregon for more information. They sent us an applications with many forms that needed to be filled out. They needed personal & medical information on Ashley. There was a form for her doctor to fill out. They also had camperships available. This is like a scholorship. There are actually donors that contribute money to these camps to help people who can't afford to pay the $350 a week that it costs. The camp is set up for Diabetic children. They have a wonderful staff. There is a doctor that is there at all times while camp is in session. There are also one or more Nutritionists & nurses. Many of the camp councelors are Diabetics. They go through specialized diabetes education training with doctor's & nurses. All councelors are over age 18 & many are former campers. They have set times for everyone to check their blood as well as councelors that do blood sugar tests in the middle of the night. All the food is healthy & carbs are counted. They have activities set up to keep the kid's occupied at all times. They take hikes, play sports, swim every day, campfire activities, crafts, play games & all kinds of fun activities. Ashley loved it. She talked about her week at camp for months & couldn't wait until next year. She has now gone to two summers of camp. She talks about becoming a camp councelor. I actually think Ashley would have done just fine at camp 4 years ago. I know that I am a very overprotective parent. I was one even before the diabetes but, after diagnosis I became so afraid to let her out of my site. But, they really do need that independence. It is so good for their self esteem & helps them to become self reliant. I definately would recomend Diabetes Camp for all Diabetic Children!! To find a Diabetes camp in your area check out this page on my website http://elviradarknight.com/diabetes/diabetescamp.html Many camps have a week long camp that is broke up into age groups. There are also some day camps available & family camps. |
