Camp Kudzu - Camps for Children with Diabetes

Camp Kudzu
577 Concord Road, SE
Suite B
Smyrna GA 30082

(tel) 404-250-1811
(fax) 404-250-1812

(email) info@campkudzu.org

Camp Kudzu serves Georgia's children, teens and families with Type 1 diabetes. Camp brings to mind fresh air…laughter heard across a lake…starry skies…children running, climbing, swimming and looking up to caring adults. Camp provides a sense of community. The children, teens and families who take part in Camp Kudzu's programs learn that they are not alone in their struggle with diabetes.

Camp Kudzu offers summer camp, family weekends, and teen retreats. The focus is on fun, but the lessons learned regarding diabetes self-management skills are critical to long-term health. Children who have access to quality diabetes management education at a young age can reduce their risk of diabetes-related complications. Camp provides vital education in a setting that gives each child the best chance of practicing lessons learned.

We all await a cure. Until that day comes, Camp Kudzu helps our young people live life to the fullest.

Welcome Kat Shreve!
Ms. Kathryn Shreve has joined Camp Kudzu as Camp Director. Most recently, Kat served as the Director of Education for the American Camp Association. In the past, she served as the Director of Camp Meriwether in Georgia, Program and Facility Manager for Project Adventure, and Director of the Athens YWCO Camp for Girls. At the ACA, Kat designed professional development courses and created the on-line learning forum. At Camp Meriwether, Kat was instrumental in the planning and building of a truly beautiful camp facility.
Kat is the author of Stop Bullying NOW! Information, Prevention, Tips and Games, published by the US Department of Health and Human Services 2008, as well as numerous articles about risk management, positive youth outcomes and staff training.
We are fortunate to have this nationally acclaimed camp professional join our team. I think you’ll be delighted with her responsiveness to your interest in attending, volunteering and befriending Camp Kudzu. You can reach Kat at kshreve@campkudzu.org. She’ll be reaching out to all of you very soon!
Amber, Jill, Kat and Alex look forward to serving you. Our goal is to set new and high standards in all our programs and in working with families, campers and volunteers.

Fall Family Camp ... Over 30 families enjoyed a crisp and beautiful fall weekend together. Families who've been dealing with diabetes for years shared wisdom with families whose children have been recently diagnosed. Over 70 children of all ages enjoyed fishing, canoing, bicycling, arts and crafts, gold-panning and more. New elements were added to the weekend format: Family Olympics on Saturday night got everyone on the move and Parents at Group Dynamics on Sunday morning proved popular.

Camp Kudzu's friendly, willing and able volunteers managed multiple responsibilities, the most important of which was caring for those 70+ children and teens. Thank you! Hats off to Drew Allen, Stephanie Bilal, Bart Caudell, Jeff Domke, Kaitlyn Dukes, Ashleigh George, Collin Huges, Bethany Kinsey, Lauren Mauldin, Chelsea Philbrick, Gail Philbrick, Nicole Pinsker, Sally Pinsker, Patricia Ragsdale, Connie Rogers and Mark Vieira. A shout-out for terrific presentations goes out to Karla Aleman, R.D., L.D., Stephen Anderson, M.D., Lorna Benbenisty, Ph.D., and Tami Kinnersley, R.N., B.S.N., C.D.E.

Amber Medley, Development Director, led our weekend and Jill Sax, Medical Director, co-led and managed the medical component so essential to a great Family Weekend.

Kudzu Kudos all around!

SUMMER DATES 2009!!!
We can't wait to share the news! Here are our dates for Summer Camps in 2009:
1) May 23/24* - May 29, at Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge, GA
2) May 30/31* - June 5, at Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge, GA
3) August 1/2* - August 8, at Camp Barney Medintz, Cleveland, GA

Registration will start in late 2008.

*The first date is on-site orientation for volunteer staff. The second date is Camper Arrival Day! Yippee!

Check out the Photo Gallery!! We've recently added lots of great photos and videos from Summer Camp and KudzuVenture.

Pump Her Up! . . . a winter weekend retreat for teen girls.
Pump Her Up! Applications now available for a terrific weekend of empowerment and enlighenment for teen girls, January 9-11, 2009. Pump Her Up Application 2009

Kudzu Venture
WOW! What a weekend! It's hard to say who had more fun, the teen guys or the older ones. We had great cabins in a beautiful Dahlonega setting, experienced what it's like to be a SWAT team member, went fishing for stripers (one of our guys caught an 18 pounder), shot clay pigeons with shotguns, climbed a 60 foot Alpine Tower, and learned self-defense moves in three different disciplines. The theme of the weekend: OWN your diabetes, embrace the challenge, and live life fully.

Thank you to our inspiring volunteers: Gary Willis, Dr. Andy Andrews, Kris Bagwell, Muhammed Bilal, Josh Bowen, Drew Bryant, Josh Gagliani, David Griffith, Nathan Johansen, Cedric Jones, Matt Newton, Dr. Craig Sampson, Lisa Tolbert, RN, MSN, CDE, and Dr. Quentin Van Meter. A huge shout out goes to the Lake Lanier Fishing Guides, the Forsyth County SWAT Team and the great folks from the Department of Natural Resources who taught gun safety. Thanks also to Horizon Christian Academy for the use of their bus and driver.

Strange Offer for You!
Somehow, we ended up with more Juicy Juice than we needed at summer camp. How about this offer? Bring in a donation of at least $25 and we'll thank you with a package of Juicy Juice!

Wish List
Sky Miles and Frequent Flyer Miles or airline tickets (to get our out-of-state volunteers home to Georgia for camp)
Friends who like to help us with filing and other tasks in the office
Steelcase tall file cabinets
Copy Machine repair expertise - Minolta/Konica
Free Office - 2,500-3,000 square feet!

Thank you!

Copyright © 2006 Camp Kudzu. All rights reserved.