MAPLETON, Maine — Eighteen youth, along with several staff and volunteers, attended the recent Camp Adventure, an annual weeklong summer camp for adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.
Participants gathered at Mapleton’s Baptist Park June 23-28 to learn that activities such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming are still events they can look forward to and enjoy regardless of living with a chronic disease.
The youth, ages 12-17, learned diabetes self-management skills in a fun and “real-life-applicable” way. Adult staff offered individualized treatment assistance, but the highlight of camp was the ability for campers to interact with each other, as they all are faced with the same challenges of managing their diabetes.
Nightly campfires, mini golf, canoeing, mountain climbing and bowling were just a few additional activities campers took part in during the week, all while learning more about diabetes, sharing stories with fellow campers about trials and tribulations of type 1 diabetes, monitoring equipment and keeping track of blood sugars.
Camp Adventure director Erica Ouellette, RN, BSN and certified diabetes educator, said, “Camp teaches our campers that they can conquer any task, big or small, while safely managing this both acute and chronic disease. Camp provides on-the-spot education and allows the campers to take responsibility for checking their blood sugars and self-administering insulin with the guidance of certified diabetes educators, registered nurses and medical doctors.”
Ouellette added, “It’s really a special week that ties in educational aspects but, most importantly, teaches the teens that Type 1 diabetes does not stop them from living their dreams.”
Camp Adventure is supported through the generosity of local groups, organizations, pharmaceutical companies and other diabetes related companies as well as Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services.
“Without the support of these organizations, staff and volunteers, programs like this would not be possible. We are so thankful for such a caring and supportive community,” said Ouellette.
Plans are actively underway for next year’s fun-filled week of adventures. For more information, or to help sponsor the event, contact the Cary and Pines Diabetes Care office at 498-1283.
