Gales Creek Camp Foundation For Children With Diabetes

GALES CREEK CAMP FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND CHILDREN WITH DIABETES BY HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP THE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR APPROPRIATE DIABETES MANAGEMENT. THE FOUNDATION OPERATES A CAMP PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ASSIST CHILDREN WITH DIABETES.

GALES CREEK CAMPERS RECEIVE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE TRADITIONAL CAMP EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN WITH TYPE I DIABETES. CAMPERS ENJOY AN EXPERIENCE THAT RANGES FROM HIGH-INTENSITY OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AND CREATIVE ARTS, TO INTIMATE CAMP FIRE CHATS AND SONGS. THESE VERY BASIC OUTCOMES THAT CONSTITUTE THE MAGIC OF CAMP ARE A PRIORITY AT GALES CREEK CAMP. STAFF WORK TOWARDS FOSTERING AGE-APPROPRIATE INDEPENDENCE, BOTH IN DIABETES SELF-CARE AND IN SOCIAL SKILLS, FOR EACH CAMPER. RESIDENT CAMP PROVIDES CAMPERS WITH A SAFE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIMENT WITH INDEPENDENCE. FOR CHILDREN WITH TYPE I DIABETES, THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT CONSIDERING THE TYPICAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THEIR ROUTINES REQUIRED FOR BASIC LIFE SAFETY.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OGALES CREEK CAMP ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION THAT DEMONSTRATES AN AGE-APPROPRIATE BALANCE, WITH THE GOAL THAT BY THE TIME A CAMPER GRADUATES HIGH SCHOOL, THEY ARE ABLE TO PROPERLY CARE FOR THEMSELVES. CAMP STAFF ARE TRAINED TO HARNESS THE POWER OF CAMP BY FACILITATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PEER-TO-PEER ENGAGEMENT IS A KEY FORCE THAT IMPROVES THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH GROWING UP WITH DIABETES. BY CONFIDING AND RELATING TO EACH OTHER, CAMPERS SHARE THEIR COMMON BURDEN WITH THEIR PEERS AND BUILD A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR LIFE.