Children With Diabetes Find Help at Camp

To help children and their families learn to better manage diabetes, some newly diagnosed U.S. children with diabetes are being sent to summer camp.

Diabetes camps focus on teaching children and their families about the importance of testing frequently for blood glucose and blood ketones.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, resulting from severe insulin deficiency and high levels of blood ketones, is the leading cause of death among children with diabetes. Testing ketone levels can decrease the incidence of DKA. Traditional methods of measuring ketone levels have involved urine testing, but a new, fast blood ketone strip is being used in several diabetes camps this summer.

Diabetes summer camps provide a safe and positive environment in which to learn about managing diabetes, said Mats Wallin, executive director of the Diabetic Youth Foundation and Bearskin Meadows Diabetes Camp. Some children or teens come to camp and have just been diagnosed — this allows them an opportunity to connect with their peers and learn how to be successful and proactive in managing the condition. Camp truly helps children and teens with diabetes understand that they are not alone — that there are others just like them.