Summer camp is a fun activity many children enjoy, but for Halle Robins, there are challenges to doing that as she has type-1 diabetes.
The 11-year-old Weyburn girl was happy therefore when she was given the chance to go to a five-day D-Camp, held by the Canadian Diabetes Association at Christopher Lake.
“This is my first year at camp. I love it, it’s so much fun, and I hope I can come back next year,” said Halle in a phone interview from the camp.
“We get to sing songs at the campfire, go on hikes, swimming and climbing on the rock wall,” she added, noting they also have lazer tag.
The D-Camps program run by the Canadian Diabetes Association offers a camping experience while accommodating the needs of campers and empowering them to manage their diabetes.
At D-Camps, diabetes management fits into the day as naturally as a jump in the lake or an evening campfire. D-Camps encourage kids to indulge their sense of fun and adventure in a diabetes-friendly environment.
Asked what she loved most about her camp experience, she said, “I love the campfire and singing songs. We do that every day before snack time.”
As Halle has diabetes, the camp organizers have a doctor present who monitors her blood sugar every day and ensures she has her insulin shots, and this enables her to safely enjoy activities around camp.
Halle’s cabin has 11 kids plus the counsellors, and she has been able to make new friends as she has fun. She also enjoys the counsellors in her cabin, adding, “They like to dance.”
“The food’s really good. They have a list up of the food and you get a meal card, and you write down what you want to eat,” said Halle.
Halle had a camera along with her to take photos, and noted they weren’t allowed to bring their cell phones to camp.
“I’m taking lots of photos with my friends and of the lake,” she said.
The Saskatchewan camp, one of 12 run across Canada, had 82 children from throughout the province in attendance.
The camp gave the children the opportunity meet and connect with other kids and staff who share the same experiences they do and who understand what it’s like to live with diabetes; to participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, canoeing, campfires and archery that help promote self-esteem and personal growth; and learn how to self-manage their diabetes in a supportive environment.
Campers often return home eager to be more independent with their diabetes care and better able to manage day-to-day hurdles.
Diabetes is a complex disease and there is an estimated 97,000 people in Saskatchewan living with diabetes and a further 176,000 living with prediabetes along with many others who are living with the disease but undiagnosed.
