Diabetes Kids Camp 2021
Posted on: 03/03/21
Letter by Eve De Goey (Diabetes Services Northland DHB)
Firstly, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to Health Fund PLUS for the sponsorship of the annual Diabetes Kids camp.
This year we returned to the scenic Manaia Baptist camp grounds in Taurikura where we have held this event for the past 7 years. For four full days 16 youth between the ages of 7 years to being a Year 8 student (12 – 13 years of age) attended the camp. For some they have been attending for the past 7 years and they are reunited with their diabetes camp buddies and for others this is their first camp experience with us, and also their first time of meeting another child with type 1 diabetes. We also had an 8 year old type 1 boy from Pukenui in the Far North come down to visit and stay at the camp for the day. He did not feel ready to stay over-night away from his parents and siblings.
As one of the team from the Northland DHB Diabetes service it is very humbling to be a part of the camp and witness how important these few days are to the children with type 1 diabetes when they are with “their people”. The bonding that happens between the children is truly a wonderful thing to view.
To be eligible to attend the children need to be at least 7 years old and not yet a High school student / Year 9. Priority is given to those that are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and have not attended the camp in the past. A youth mentor with type 1 diabetes also attends and this year she was a Year 11 Girls High student who has been a previous camp attendee herself.