Family camp teaches skills to deal with Type 1 diabetes

By Christy Barritt

Correspondent

Father and son Mark and Devyn Wagemann enjoy going to camp.

But this camp is less about teaching survival skills on what bug might have the most protein, or how to start a fire with a flint and piece of glass. It's a camp that teaches them survival skills on how to live with Type I diabetes.

The 16th annual Lions' Diabetes Family Camp will take place on the weekend of May 1-3 at the Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake.

The camp is for young people with diabetes aged 6-18, as well as their families. Because it's a family camp, one adult family member is required to attend with the child.

The goals of the weekend are to learn more about diabetes self-care management and to share experiences with others families.

Mark, who's attending with 13-year-old Devyn, said he's learned a lot through the camp. It helps them know they're not alone in dealing with the disease.

"My son likes getting together with other kids who have Type 1 diabetes," said Mark, who lives in the Princess Anne area of Virginia Beach. "All the kids at the camp know what each other is going through. They've pretty much been through it. I think they like the camaraderie."

On top of classes, which are taught by certified diabetes educators, there will also be activities like horseback riding, archery, canoeing, leather crafts and more.

Karen Bauer has been the camp coordinator since 2006, but she's helped with the event since it started in 1994. She's a certified diabetes educator with Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, one of the major sponsors of the event. The camp is an important resource to those with diabetes.

"The kids get to meet other kids with diabetes," said Bauer, who's also a registered nurse. "Lots of times they might be the only one in their school. They get to see there are other kids with diabetes who can go and have fun and do things just like people who don't have diabetes."

Parents will be able to attend the "Parents Only" coffee/support groups on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The event is equally as informative for parents.

"On many levels, the camp can help a parent understand what is going on with their child and help them to live a healthier life," said Bauer. "There's also support for the parents to help them feel confident about what they're doing. It will allow them to see some of the resources in the Hampton Roads area that's available for parents and children with diabetes that they might not be aware of."

The camp is staffed by diabetes educators from all over Hampton Roads, including Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and Portsmouth Naval Medical Center.

The Lions of District 24D, the other major sponsor of the annual event, are also sponsoring scholarships for the event.

Lions member Harry Munari is chair of the camp committee.

"We feel it's important to do everything we can to prevent diabetes or at least help folks who have diabetes to better manage the disease," said Munari. "That's what this camp is all about. It's not uncommon for a newly diagnosed kid who's attending the camp to give themselves an injection of insulin for the first time in their lives. That's really something to see and to witness."

Scholarships are still available for the event until April 1. Registration deadline for the camp is April 8. For more information on the scholarships or registration, contact Sondra Byrum at 312-6132, ext. 1081.

For more information on the Lions Club, visit their Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

Christy Barritt, 651-6166 christybarritt@cox.net