Summer Camps For Children with Diabetes

Choosing a Camp

camp photosSummer camp can be a wonderful experience for a child and a well-deserved break for parents.

Ideally, the child with diabetes will have the self-management skills to be able to attend a camp with a program centered around strong interests: scouts, basketball, computers, dance, art, soccer, etc. But some camps do not accept children with diabetes and many parents feel uncomfortable sending their child with diabetes away with major responsibility for his/her own care.

Fortunately, there are camps in our region that accept children with diabetes. Programs and staffing vary tremendously. Some camps are only for children with diabetes, some teach diabetes self-management skills; some include children with diabetes but do not specialize in diabetes care or teaching.

We encourage you to decide what you and your child want from a camping experience and call camps to find out whether they meet your needs. Also check out the camps' staff. Are there doctors and nurses on site or available within a reasonable amount of time? (None of the UVA Pediatric Diabetes Healthcare Team is involved with any camp.)

Scholarships are often available for these camps. Be sure to ask about scholarship information when you call. Now is the time to call. If you wait until summer, the camps will be full.

About Specific Camps

Victory Junction Gang

A relatively new camp on our list, but comes recommended by at least one of our patients. Funded entirely by the Petty Family and is state-of-the-art. As expected, created with a NASCAR theme. Prefers that 90% of campers come from NC, SC, and VA. All children attend at no charge.

Location: Greensboro, NC
Ages: 7-15 years
Phone: 1-877-VJG CAMP (toll free)
1-336-498-9055
Web: http://www.victoryjunction.org/
You are encouraged to look at the site, if only to see what they have constructed!

Camp Carolina Trails

An ADA-sponsored camp, restricted to children with diabetes.
Location: King, North Carolina (near Rock State Park)
Phone: 1-888-342-2383 ext. 3262
Email: enivens@diabetes.org
Web: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-carolina-trails.jsp

Camp Makemie Woods

Restricted to children with diabetes.
Location: near Williamsburg, VA
Phone: 1-800-566-1496
Web: http://www.makwoods.org/

Camp Holiday Trails

Includes children with a variety of medical problems. Offering a special session for siblings this summer.

Location: near Charlottesville, VA
Phone: 1-434-977-3781
Email: holidaytrails@nexet.net
Web: http://www.campholidaytrails.org/

Camp Glyndon/Camp Merrick

An ADA-sponsored camp, restricted to children with diabetes but has some family programs.

Location: near La Plata, MD
Phone: 301-870-5858
Email: campmerrick@aol.com
Web: http://www.lionscampmerrick.org/

Camp Kno-Koma

An interesting name for this camp!

Location: near Charleston, WV
Phone: 1-866-899-8156
Web: http://www.campknokoma.com/

Other Opportunities
Other camps are available and can be researched at:
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/camps/. Some camps in Radford, VA and Chesapeake, VA offer one-day or weekend and family programs.

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