Camp Hamwi - Camps for Children with Diabetes

Camp Hamwi
Camp Mohaven
18744 Turkey Ridge Rd
Danville, OH 43014
(740) 599-6111

About Camp Hamwi
Summer camp is a special experience for every child. It's an outdoor adventure offering a unique group living experience where campers learn how to live cooperatively with others. Each individual is important at Camp Hamwi for his or her own particular qualities and contributions to the camp community. Camp provides opportunities for self discovery and creativity through exploring individual potential and abilities. Through a simple group living environment, campers discover an appreciation for each individual's differences, and the positive feeling of group accomplishments. Camp Hamwi strives to create an accepting community, building each camper's self-esteem and feeling of personal worth.

The beautiful rustic setting of Camp Hamwi enhances the camper's ability to enjoy and appreciate the environment around them. Camp life endeavors to teach campers to respect the natural environment and to understand the interdependence of the natural world.

For over 40 years, Camp Hamwi has offered this exceptional opportunity for a summer camp experience for youth with diabetes. In addition to enjoying traditional camp challenges, campers at Hamwi participate in activities designed to improve their knowledge of their own diabetes. Learning sessions include topics covering exercise, nutrition, insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring. Meeting and sharing with other youth with diabetes provides a chance for youth to compare experiences and feelings about living with diabetes. Camp Hamwi encourages independence in diabetes management while providing medical staff to help with education and assistance where needed.

Staff/Leadership
Leadership is a key component for a successful camp experience. Camp staff are selected based on their dedication to working with youth, maturity, sound judgment, leadership ability, sense of humor and an appreciation of the outdoors. Hamwi staff include cabin counselors, program staff, nurses, student nurses, paramedics, dietitians, student dietitians, and doctors. Many of the staff have diabetes themselves with personal knowledge of living with diabetes. Both medical and non-medical staff participate in intense training to prepare them to be successful camp counselors and able to assist with good diabetes management. Staff orientation is on July 25 & 26 2008.

Facility
The Central Ohio Diabetes Association utilizes Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio, enjoying full access to this beautiful 660-acre property. The main camp area includes a large dining hall/lodge, modern bathhouses, simple rustic cabins, and a health center. Program facilities allow for a variety of recreational opportunities with a large L-shaped pool, an arts and crafts building, a nature building, an archery range, two playing fields, a sand volleyball court, numerous hiking trails, and an expansive area for horseback riding.

Youth are housed in groups of 7 to 8 campers according to age. One to two staff members are assigned to each cabin. Both the girls and boys side of camp has a private bathhouse. Cabins are within easy walking distance of the lodge/dining hall and the health center.

Health and Safety
Camp Hamwi staff are trained in the special needs of youth with diabetes. Meals are planned to meet the variety of meal plans of all campers and staff, and the program schedule is planned with good diabetes management in mind. The camp health center is set up to handle medical emergencies, especially those more common with youth with diabetes. Two doctors and a team of medical professionals are present at camp at all times to assist with caring for each camper's health care needs. Throughout the week, counselors, campers, and medical staff work together to maintain the best possible diabetes control with proper balance of nutrition, insulin and exercise. All campers test their blood glucose level a minimum of four times a day. Health care professionals are available to supervise proper blood glucose monitoring and assist with insulin management. Dietitians are present to provide nutrition advice and assist in meal selections. Regular meal and snack times are established to promote good diabetes management.