Diabetes Camps

Until The Cure, There’s Camp

Presented by Shelley D Yeager, MA, LCSWDirector of Outreach and Development

Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA)www.diabetescamps.org

Diabetes in Children

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition resulting in the body’s inability to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar

– In the US, 206,000 or (1 in 400-500) youth under age 20 have type 1 diabetes. About 16,000 youth are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes annually.

– T1D in Americans under age 20 rose by 23 percent between 2001 and 2009.3 – The incidence of T1D in children under age 14 is estimated to increase by three percent

annually worldwide.4

• Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance – the body’s inability to effectively produce enough or utilize existing insulin.

– National Diabetes Education Program reports that the increase of type 2 in children accounts for 3,700 of every 15,000 new diagnoses each year. Statistics for worldwide type 2 diabetes are difficult but estimates from the US and Europe indicate a global concern.

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdfhttp://jdrf.org/about-jdrf/fact-sheets/type-1-diabetes-facts/

Causes of Diabetes in Children

• Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune process whereby the body destructs insulin-producing beta cells. It is not preventable. It is partly genetically determined – a unknown “trigger” exists.

• Type 2 diabetes is directly related to genetic predisposition and obesity. Over 85% of children diagnosed with type 2 are obese. Type 2 is largely preventable.

Diabetes Treatment• Type 1 diabetes requires treatment

with insulin by injection or insulin pump, vigilant blood glucose monitoring, combined with meal planning and exercise

• Type 2 diabetes requires treatment with meal planning & exercise (weight loss) and sometimes medication (oral or insulin). Monitoring of blood glucose levels is also required.

• The key to long-term health is management of blood glucose levels in a near normal range to prevent complications to the heart, eyes, kidneys, nervous system and more

Dawn Youth Study - NovoNordisk5 Most Common Emotional Issues in Youth Fall Into Five Categories

1. Being different from peers

2. Accepting their “disease”

3. Wanting to be normal4. Being judged “bad” or

“good” in relation to blood glucose

5. Need support from family, friends, school

Diabetes is a Team Affair

• Authoritative parenting – a style where the child is a key member of the decision-making team from the day of diagnosis, encouraged to make age-appropriate choices in diabetes care, but not expected to be autonomous in diabetes management

• A non-judgment approach – a blood sugar executed and recorded is a good blood sugar regardless of the number, an opportunity to discuss and make choices

• A supportive diabetes-knowledgeable community (family, health care team, friends, school, camp)

Goal-settingSelf-monitoring

Positive reinforcementConflict managementBehavioral contracts

Supportive parental communicationsShared responsibility for diabetes management

Group coping-skills trainingStress management

Peer supportPsychosocial intervention

Behavioral & therapeutic interventions

Psychosocial benefits of camp

•Increased sense of normalcy

•Increased Independence

•Increased support from peers

•Increased self perception

•Reduced anxiety

•Reduced fear

Independence and Motivation Camps expose children to new

things Camps teach kids by doing –

“teachable moments” Camps bring children and

professionals together to promote understanding

Camps encourage independence Camps send a “different” child

home Camps makes friends for life

Diabetes camp makes a powerful difference in the life of a young person

Diabetes Camp Services

Since diabetes camps began in the late 1920’s, they have grown to include over 185 organizations operating over 440 diverse programs

Approximately 25,000 campers are served along with family members and friends

An additional 10,000 young adults serve as staff members, most who have diabetes or who have a familial or professional understanding

There are over 60 different Day Camps operating 74 programs

There are over 25 Family Camps operating 41 programs,

There are over 100 Resident Camps, operating 240 programs,

There are wilderness, trip, dedicated sports, ski and other unique camps

There are more than 15 camps in Canada and many more worldwide

Local Programs• The Barton Center

– Rainbow Club (6/24 – 6/28, Greenwich; 7/29 – 8/2, NYC)

– Clara Barton & Camp Joslin (6/23 – 8/9)

– Winter Camp, Family Camp (8/9 – 8/15) & Weekends

• Camp Surefire– Alton Jones Resident Week (6/23/ -

6/28)

– Winter Camp

• Camp Nejeda– Family Camp (6/14 – 6/16, 8/18 – 8/20)

– Resident Camp (6/23 – 8/16)

– Gluten Free Camp

– Weekends

• Naomi Barrie Diabetes Center Day Camp

Young Adults in Transition

• DLead/DTreat

• College Diabetes Network

• International Diabetes Federation Young Leaders Program: IDF YLD

Diabetes Education & Camping Association

• Works with diabetes leaders worldwide so that more children with diabetes may be served at camps

• Assists child and youth organizations by developing guidelines for diabetes management

• Provides networking between and resources to diabetes camps in order to enhance and expand programs

• Serves as the worldwide voice for diabetes camping

First scuba diving camp

Resources

• Best Practices in Diabetes Camping

• Provide consultation to camps

• Diabetes 101• The Diabetes Camp

Survival Manual• Outcomes & Research

Future Goals• To demonstrate the value of

diabetes camping programs for youth and young adults

• To increase the number of youth and families served by diabetes camps worldwide

• To increase the number of programs serving youth and young adults with diabetes and their families worldwide

• To enhance participation in diabetes camping programs by diabetes partner groups

Until The Cure, There’s Camp

Together we can

Great Camps, Great Kids, Great Futures

www.diabetescamps.org