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Sometimes its good to just be one of the gang.

This is certainly true for those dealing with Type 1 diabetes. And thats why Camp Hot Shots has become a favorite get-away destination for hundreds of youngsters ages 6-12 in central Nebraska since 2001.

Founded by Mary Lanning Heathcare and presented this year in partnership with Grace United Methodist Church, the two-day camp gives youngsters dealing with the disease a chance to bond with fellow diabetics without having to address those intrusive questions so often posed by their well-meaning but unmindful peers.

DeAnn Carpenter, program coordinator for Mary Lannings diabetes program, said the camp which is funded in part through donations from area organizations combines diabetes education and a host of fun activities to create an experience many campers have come to look forward to year after year.

More than 20 area children are taking part in this years long list of camp activities, which include: Boat rides and water play at Lake Hastings and Aquacourt Water Park, YMCA play, string art, balloon artist/magician Poppin Penelope, taekwondo, and more.

Its just a time for kids who have Type 1 diabetes to come together and realize theyre not alone, Carpenter said. A lot of them are the only ones in their school system or community who have Type 1 diabetes and maybe feel a little alone, having to take care of themselves. Its a time to bond and interact with people who have the same diagnosis as them.

For many campers, the camp has become an annual tradition, a place to bond with new found friends over shared activities. In some instances, it may be the only contact they have with their fellow diabetic companions each year.

For Braden Benjamin, 12, of Friend, this year marks his seventh go-around in the camp.

I like coming to the lake and swimming and tubing with my friends, he said. I get to see other diabetics that Im not around very often. I know most of them, but there are a few new ones every now and then.

I also like going to the YMCA. They have a bunch of different activities, like tennis and racquetball. You can go to the batting cage, and theres a pool there, too.

But its the camaraderie with fellow diabetics that makes the camp experience special to himself and fellow participants, he said.

The camp allows me to talk to other diabetics that I dont get to see very often. Its just nice to be around other people who share the disease that you have and know what it feels like. I hope to make more friends at the camp this year and get better at taking care of my diabetes. If my blood sugars are good I can pretty much do anything if I treat it beforehand.

Kordell Lovitt, 13, of Chapel, is attending the camp for the fourth straight year. Like most all of his fellow campers, he considers the lake activities the high water point of the two-day outing.

Im just swimming and having fun with my friends that I dont see a lot, he said. We talk about how we take care of our diabetes and how we treat our lows and highs. It (diabetes) is kind of stressful, but sometimes I just get over it.

And camp is a big reason for that, he said.

The others tell me what I dont do right and that I can do a better job of it, he said. I check on my blood sugars often here to keep them in range.

Having to explain himself and his limitations to non-diabetics day in and day out makes coming to camp seem even more of a getaway experience each year.

When people ask me, Why do you have to do this? its kind of weird and awkward, he said. Here, I dont have to tell them anything. I just want to have fun and pay attention to my diabetes.

Fourth-time camper Emmilly Berglund, 12, of Shelton said she felt right at home navigating the lakeside waters with friends of a feather.

I just like to come and see the other kids and talk to them about how everything is, she said. Its just enjoyable and relaxing to hang around other kids who have it (Type 1 diabetes). Im looking forward to the new activities they have this year like string art and going to the water park and learning new things.

Lee Wigert, 65, is a teacher at Hastings College and pastor of United Methodist churches in Juniata, Holstein and Kenesaw.

He, along with his wife, Diane, and son, Nate, 32, who has diabetes, have been donating their time giving boat and jet ski rides and sharing their back yard abutting Lake Hastings for the past decade.

Its just amazing the bonding experience that these children have, he said. The kids come back year after year and call you by name and you remember them. I spend about three days getting the house ready and tubes and trampoline blown up.

We make sure everybody gets on the boat. What they take away from this is that they know the adults care for them and are here to help them out.

Visit link:
Diabetes camp educates, entertains - Hastings Tribune

This entry was posted on June 16, 2017 at 5:50 pm and is filed under Diabetes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |