Camp Huronda

Growing up with juvenile diabetes can be terrifying, confusing, and overwhelming at times. I myself had a tough time adjusting and comprehending the fact that the disease was not just going to go away. That's when I discovered the magic of Camp Huronda, a camp in Huntsville that is made specifically for diabetic children 8-15 years old. The campers stay for two-week sessions and are under the supervision of a fully-trained medical staff to keep them healthy. The camp offers such things as canoe trips, waterfront, sailboarding, fishing, beach volleyball, orienteering, overnight trips, archery, pottery, kayaking, skits, crafts (a brand new craft ship was built in 2008), horseback riding, paddle boating, basketball, mountain biking, ropes courses, climbing wall, water trampoline, as well as unique evening programs lead by a team of qualified area staff, counsellors, and junior counsellors. Another unique aspect of this camp is that over 80% of all staff are themselves diabetic. The other non-diabetic staff have either a sibling with the disease or have a storng connection to it, through their parents or friends. It is really interesting, how your perspective of diabetes changes while at Camp Huronda. Because you are in a cabin with up to eight other diabetics, diabetes seems a lot more tolerable. I've seen campers who would require the nurse to give them their injections recieve their Golden Needle award, an award given to the campers who administered their first injection without assistance while at camp. Camp gives these children a place to feel like they belong, and that they are not alone.

For more information about Camp Huronda, click here.