Kids learn to deal with diabetes at summer camp

NORTH WEBSTER, Ind. (WLFI) - Children and teens with diabetes can get a jump on managing their disease by registering this month for the American Diabetes Association’s week-long, residential summer camp in northern Indiana.

Register online here.

Known as Camp John Warvel, the camp offers traditional camp activities as well as constant medical assistance for kids living with diabetes. 

Kids ages 7 to 15 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are eligible to apply. Teens ages 16 and 17 with previous diabetes camp experience can also apply for counselor-in-training positions.

This year’s camp runs from June 9 to June 13. Last year 186 campers registered to participate in the camp, which is held at the YMCA Camp Crosley facility in North Webster.

“Children with diabetes may feel very alone with their disease and may not know other kids in their communities or schools living with the daily challenges of diabetes. They may also have gaps in their knowledge about how to care for their disease,” Co-Medical Director for Camp John Warvel Linda DiMeglio, MD, said.

DiMeglio, who also serves as associate professor of Pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children, has in the past been president of the American Diabetes Association’s Indiana Area Community Leadership Board.

“Camp John Warvel is a week-long, fun experience that allows children with diabetes to interact with others with diabetes, establish long-term friendships, and learn key diabetes management skills. Peer support and the knowledge necessary to manage diabetes enable these kids to establish habits that facilitate good diabetes care, which is essential in order for them to prevent issues that can arise from the disease,” DiMeglio said.

Kids who live with diabetes have to face daily challenges such as frequent finger pricks to check blood glucose levels, injections to replace the insulin that their bodies cannot make or process, and daily vigilance to prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, amputations and early death.

Diabetes education is the main focus for kids who attend the camp. Activities (such as swimming, hiking and horseback riding) teach children how to manage their blood glucose levels during physical activity.

Campers also learn techniques for managing their diabetes, including counting carbs at meals.

To help send a child to camp this year, contact Carol Dixon, Senior Manager of Programs at Camp John Warvel for the American Diabetes Association – Indiana Area, at 1-888-342-2383, ext. 6732, or cdixon@diabetes.org.