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Program Details

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Activities Offered
  • Archery
  • Boating
  • Camp
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Various Recreational Activities
  • Various Sports
Building Access
  • Accessible areas of building: Parking Areas

Staff Training and Certification
  • Staff Certification:Registered Nurse

Participants Served
  • Age range of participants: 7 to 14

Membership Fees
  • Fee to participate in the Program : Sliding/adjusted fee scales or discounts for people with disabilities.

Transportation
  • Accessible by Public Transportation: No

  • Transportation Provided by the Program: No

Notes

Mission
Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes is dedicated to providing an overnight camping experience for children with diabetes where diabetes is the norm, rather than the exception. Here they can fun have in a safe setting away from home, meet other children with diabetes; learn about their disease and gain independence essential to living a healthy life.

Our Lions Club Scholarship Mission: "No child is ever turned away because they can not afford our camp fees". Today many Lions clubs throughout the Puget Sound area donate funs to the Camp Leo Scholarship Fund.

About Camp Leo
Camp Leo for Children With Diabetes has been serving children with diabetes since 1989. Camp Leo is a resident (overnight) camping experience for children who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes entering grades 3rd-5th for Jr. Camp and also entering grades 6th-8th for Senior Camp. Camp is held each year during the month of July. Our camp site is Panhandle Lake 4H Camp, located 12 miles southeast of Shelton, WA. This rustic atmosphere offers recreational activities such as boating, swimming, hiking, archery, horse-back riding, field games, and ropes course training. We also offer traditional camping activities such as singing, crafts, cabin skits, campfire, and special themed meals. Our goal is for kids to have fun by meeting others with diabetes and enjoy a normal summer camp adventure in an environment away from home. This shared journey will make sure children have invested their camp experience with significance and will leave with something of lasting value.

Activities

  • Hiking
  • Archery
  • Boating
  • Diabetes Education
  • Fishing
  • Crafts
  • Group Games
  • Cabin Skits
  • Singing
  • Camp Outs
  • Field Games
  • Award Ceremonies
  • Theme Nights
  • Capture the Counselor

Diabetes Care/Education
Diabetes education is a vital part of camp. Campers receive diabetes education both informally and formally while at camp. Bonding with other children with diabetes their own age that go through similar situations and feelings, is the biggest learning experience. This relaxed and peer-supported experience is ideal for campers to learn age-appropriate diabetes responsibilities required in their daily lives. Campers learn diabetes self-care skills with good nutrition, counting carbohydrates, checking blood glucose levels while balancing insulin, food, and exercise/sports. Many campers learn independence skills such as first injections, tummy shots, or others that are recognized and awarded at camp fires. Meals and snacks are provided at Camp Leo. The menu and range of snacks are carefully chosen by a Registered Dietitian. Carbohydrates are counted at every meal and insulin dosages are reviewed with the camper. The Camp Leo environment/education programs will give the campers an opportunity to learn about diabetes, but more importantly learning something else about themselves.

What Campers Learn

  • Age-appropriate Diabetes Education
  • Good Nutrition
  • How to Treat Low and High Blood Sugars
  • How to Count Carbohydrates
  • Insulin Injections, site rotation, and dosaging
  • Blood Sugar Monitoring
  • Social Support
  • Diabetes Problem Solving
  • Effects of Exercise
  • Many Campers Learn to Give Their First Insulin Shot!! - A Big Step Toward Independence
  • Confidence & Self-Esteem by Meeting Others with Diabetes
  • Form Meaningful Relationships
  • Feel a Sense of Belonging, Campers Learn They Are Not Alone
  • Diabetes Acceptance

Our Staff
You won't find a more qualified and dedicated camp staff anywhere. Camp Leo is maintained and operated by like-minded people who are carefully selected, qualified and responsible. Staff members, many of whom have diabetes themselves, model healthy habits and demonstrate that diabetes doesn't have to prevent them from living active, satisfying lives. Click here to meet The Staff.

Safety and Medical
For many campers this is their first time away from home and we know the realities of diabetes are not easy. Campers are under constant supervision by trained staff members at all times. We have a medical staff that consists of at least 20 volunteers; they include RNs, RDs, LPNs, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Students, Doctors, and Residents. In addition we have another 75+ volunteers who are closely involved with the day-to-day activities of the campers to ensure their fun and well-being. A waterfront safety staff person and lifeguards will always be on duty during any activity, such as fishing, boating, and swimming. We use a buddy system, where no camper should ever be alone.