Camps

[allisa]

Hi all,

I am researching diabetes camps for my son for next summer....and CWD has an AWESOME directory of camps by states.....thanks !!

My question is this....has anyone sent their child to a NON_DAIBETIC sleepaway camp ? I'm just currios if anyone felt the comfort level with a camp and with the child's amangement that they would attend a "regular" camp....I personally don't think I could feel comfortable doing it, but curious if any other parents have and how successful was it ?

[Amy C.]

I have sent my son to Boy Scout Camp.

I guess 'sent' is not quite accurate.

I went out there every evening to be sure the night-time injections and medicines were done. He and the adult leaders made sure he took insulin after each breakfast and lunch. I wasn't too good at getting my son to remember to test consistently. I didn't feel as though I could ask the adult leaders to take charge entirely -- they are parents like me. The medic at camp just kept the insulin in his refrigerator.

I am going to stick to diabetes camps. I would be a basket case otherwise.

[wendyc]

I would be concerned by the following:

Do they have a nurse on staff, or just a medically trained counselor?

Who would be responsible for making sure your child was checking sugars at the proper time?

Who would be responsible for making sure your child got up to do late night checks?

I think that the only way I would let my child go to a non-diabetic sleep away camp would be if I could go as a volunteer. I would just be too nervous otherwise.

We do however, allow her to go to a half day local camp. I check her sugar prior to drop off, and then reduce her basal for the time she is there. I give her 15g snacks along with some free stuff to avoid spikes, but in the heat, lows are more of a problem. We completed 1 week, and it went well, so we are doing another.

[selketine]

My 8 yr old son who is NOT diabetic just left this morning for a sleep-away cub scout camp. My husband is going with him and staying there as one of the adult helpers. So I think it would be easy enough to do something like that if one of the parents volunteers to go along as a helper.

Is there a specific type of sleep away camp you are looking at that is just a regular camp? I know there are these (drop dead fantastic) Space Camps down in Huntsville - things like that. I can see if my kid had a special interest that it would be worth checking out . Perhaps give any camps you are interested in a call and see what can be worked out.

8 yrs old is still pretty young though to go off alone for the first time especially. I think I'd feel better letting my diabetic son do diabetic camp before trying a regular one - and that he was old enough to do self-care.

[allisa]

Thanks for the responses so far.

My older son goes to sleep-away camp...2 week this year.....and Ty is expressing interest....I would ABSOLUTELY do a DIABETES camp vs. a typical one......but I was just wondering about "regular" camps.

Ty is pretty young...8....and he would prefer to go to Sleep-away camp with a FRIEND......but.....we don't really know anyone the same age as him with Diabetes that would want to go to camp. Ty would LOVE to go to the same camp as his brother....and 2 best friends....but for ME....it is NOT an option at all !!

All day activities....especially swimming....his numbers would be low, low, low....and what if he didn't like the food served that day ?

No, thanks.....even sending him to a Diabetes Camp...I'd be nervous & worried.....but for now at his age......a "typical" camp is out of the question.

he does do a daily drop off thing sponsored by the town.....but it is only 4 hours, I pack all his snacks ( and hten some)....and I am literally 3 minutes away should they need me, He HATES to check himself while he is there.....so I let him forgo it.....and just check himslef as soon as I pick him up...this is his second year...and it has been FINE

[isaiah268m]

Yes, we've sent our dd away to camp. Last year she was scheduled for a church youth camp shortly after she was diagnosed. We decided to let her attend because it was something she had been looking forward to for months....we wanted very much for her life to "go on" in spite of the diabetes. That said, we gave her youth director/counselor a full diabetes training, sent a cell phone with Laura to call home every night with her numbers, instructed them to call if she was ever under 80 or over 200, etc.....lots of specific instructions. Plus, the camp was less than 2 hours away from our home and only 15 min away from a hospital. All went well, she had a great time. She kept tight control, and did it all on "her own". That's a big responsibility for a then 13 year old, but it also was a huge boost towards self confidence in her ability to live this diabetic life.

BUT....sorry, have to insert a "but"....she also went away for a brief youth retreat last winter, accidentally took 25 units of Novalog instead of 25 units of Lantus....recognized it immediately and called us. Her host home immediately began feeding her and we raced to pick her up while on the phone with the endo.....It was a long night.