Biting the Bullet--she's going to camp

[Gwyn]

Ok, we've decided to send Devin to week long day camp this summer and I'm already worrying. We had such troubles at school (with a "real nurse" no less) last year and are now home schooling, so I am ruined for this sort of thing. :(

It's a church run day camp about a half mile from my house (so I can run over). They will have a snack provided each morning and she will bring a sack lunch from home, both of which she will need a shot for. There will not be any medical staff and the councelors are high schoolers supervised by several women that I know from around the neighborhood. Devin is able to give her own shots and test, but probably couldn't estimate snack carbs very well, and would need someone to calculate her dose.

Any advice on what I should reasonably expect them to be able to help her with and what I should take care of?

[Shannon's Mom]

At my DD's school there is no nurse. I pack her sack lunch and each day enclose a piece of paper with each item listed and the carb amount next to it. Then at the bottom I put what the insulin dosage would be (if she eats it all - food only - not any correction info.) They call me before lunch to tell me what her number is and based on that I tell them how much insulin she needs. She can give her shots also, I just ask them to supervise that she dials up the correct amount. We do not have a problem with her not eating all of her lunch, but have in the past. Then I let her eat first then had them call and tell me how much she ate and gave them the dose to give. For snacks maybe you ask them for the weeks daily snack list so you can figure out how much she can have and the carbs beforehand (i.e., Monday - Goldfish crackers, Tuesday - banana, etc.) Then you can be prepared ahead of time.

[Gwyn]

That is a good idea to get the snack list. I could even send the same snack prepackaged and precounted for her if she doesn't mind.

I guess I am really asking if I should go over to supervise her shots--ie to make sure she remembers to test before eating and dials up the right dose. Also, should I have her call me when she is low and go over to make sure she has a snack and retests?

The staff at her elementary were not able to do these tasks consistently. Is it reasonable to expect someone at a church camp do this?

[GaPeach]

At my church, we have several children with special needs. (Blindness, slight-retardation, diabetes, downs syn., etc.)


During vacation bible school or day trips, a counselor is assigned to be their one-on-one buddy. This counselor is aware of their specific needs and addresses it. The counselor will of course interact and assist the other kids, however, their primary duty is to be a specific child's helper. You could have the counselor call you with BG #'s mid-morning, lkunch and mid-afternoon.

Writing down the carb counts for her lunch with recommended dosage and prepackaged snacks is also a great idea.

I would provide them with "warning signs of highs and lows" with instructions of course of action to follow. Also, make sure a couple of people are familiar with the glucagon.

Perhaps your child could keep a cell phone for the week as well.