Diabetic children can feel free to be kids at summer camp - Camps for Children with Diabetes

Diabetic children can feel free to be kids at summer camp

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Posted by Laurie Pellichero/The Times May 25, 2008 12:07PM
Categories: Camp Fund
Local youngsters who have diabetes get a chance to feel good about themselves and learn how to cope with their disease at Camp Nejeda in Stillwater.

It is one of several residential and special-needs camps participating in the annual Times-Kiwanis Camp Fund campaign, which has helped local children with financial or special needs enjoy summer camp since 1955.

Now in its 50th season, Camp Nejeda is the only residential summer camp in New Jersey and neighboring states that exclusively serves youths with insulin dependent diabetes and their families. Its mission is to enhance the lives of children and teens with diabetes by providing a fun and educational camping experience in a safe environment.

Camp Nejeda occupies 72 wooded acres and features all the activities you would expect at a sleep-away camp. It also provides opportunities for campers to learn how to better manage their diabetes, make healthier food choices and maintain a good attitude. It is accredited by the American Camp Association and fully licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health.

The daily programs at Camp Nejeda include both individual and group activities. The camp has a seven-acre lake; an archery range; basketball, tetherball and volleyball courts; sports fields; low-ropes course; indoor gym; arts and crafts center; playground; swimming pool; quiet games area; and hiking and biking trails. Evening activities include games, dances, campfires and pool parties.

The medical program at Camp Nejeda is under the care of physicians and nurses who specialize in juvenile diabetes. The medical and nutrition staff gives instruction on all phases of diabetes management, helping campers to establish good habits and develop independence and self-reliance.

At Camp Nejeda, children with diabetes are given the opportunity to live, if only for one or two weeks, in a world where having diabetes is the norm, and they are free to be just kids. This "normalizing" of their condition, combined with both formal and informal educational programs, promotes good diabetes care and healthy, active living.

The 2008 Times-Kiwanis Camp Fund hopes to raise $30,000 to send area youngsters with financial or special needs to summer camp at Camp Nejeda or other camping programs including those run by the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, Family Guidance Center, HomeFront and The Arc Mercer.

The Trenton College Club, a branch of the American Association of University Women, has pledged to match the first $5,000 raised by contributors.

To make a donation, write a check, in any amount, to Times Charities Inc. and send it to The Times-Kiwanis Camp Fund, P.O. Box 24178, Newark, NJ 07189-0001.

The Times deducts no overhead expenses from donations to the Camp Fund. All money raised will be used exclusively for sending children to camp.

All gifts will be acknowledged in The Times. Anonymity will be granted if requested

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