By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The Caribou Lions Club recently made a $100 donation to benefit Cary Medical Center’s Camp Adventure Program, an annual one-week summer camp for teenagers with type 1 diabetes. This latest donation is one of many that the Lions Club has made since the Camp’s beginning approximately 12 years ago. The Caribou Lions Club has also provided a barbecue each year for the campers and volunteers.
Contributed photo
Members of the Caribou Lions Club recently made a $100 contribution to Cary Medical Center’s Camp Adventure Program, a week-long summer camp for teenagers living with type 1 diabetes. From left are: Vernon Blackstone, of the Presque Isle Lions Club; Cathy Blackstone, Manchester Lions Club; Brad Hansen, Caribou Lions Club; Erica Laplante, R.N., BSN, Cary Medical Center certified diabetes educator and camp coordinator; Mark Nadeau, president of the Caribou Lions Club; and Roger Blackstone, past district governor Maine Lions District 41.
“This is an outstanding program that we are proud to support,” said Roger Blackstone, Lions Club past district governor for Maine District 41.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Caribou Lions Club,” said Erica Laplante, R.N.,.BSN, certified diabetes educator and camp coordinator. “Thanks to our camp sponsors, we can host about 30 campers each year who come from all over the United States to learn more about managing their diabetes, all while participating in a variety of fun activities.”
While attending the week-long summer camp, participants take part in numerous team outings, including hiking, canoeing, swimming, cooking and biking. All activities are supervised by trained medical and recreation professionals, including physicians, nurses, Certified Diabetes Educators, paramedics, dieticians, certified Maine Guides, Maine Game Wardens, counselors and others who volunteer their time and services.
Throughout the week, campers are taught skills that can help them monitor and control their diabetes so they can reduce the health risks associated with the disease.
This year’s camp will be held in June at Baptist Park in Mapleton.
For more information about Camp Adventure contact Cary Medical Center’s Diabetes Education Office at 498-1283.
