NARTC Youth Diabetes Camp

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NARTC Youth Diabetes Camp
1642 E. Helen
Tucson, AZ 85719

520-621-5075

Wellness Camp for Children with Diabetes:

The Native American Research and Training Center sponsors an annual summer diabetes camp for Native American youth at Whispering Pines, which is near Prescott, Arizona. The camp was established in 1991 to assist a growing number of Arizona's Indian youth who are at risk for or who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. These children cannot attend existing diabetes camps because these programs focus on children with Type 1 diabetes.

Treatment for Type 1 diabetes is entirely different from the treatment for Type 2 diabetes.Six southern Arizona tribal communities participated in this last year's camp: Salt River, Gila River, Whiteriver, Colorado River, Pasqua Yaqui, and Fort McDowell. These communities provide volunteers and transportation for the youth. The University of Arizona staff and faculty coordinates the camp and helps organize volunteers who provide medical coverage, teach classes, and assist with fund raising.

The week long camp emphasizes diabetes education, physical activity, and nutrition within a context that is sensitive to contemporary Indian culture and customs.

.Wellness Camp Prescott Arizona

What tribes qualify?

All tribal communities are welcomed to partner with NARTC and become involved in the summer Wellness Camp. Interested tribes must be willing to coordinate the recruitment of the youth for camp, to assist the youth and families with registration for the Wellness Camp activities, provide volunteers such as counselors, and arrange for transportation of the children and identify a modest camp fee [at the present this approximately $160 per child which goes to pay for room and board during camp].

Age of youth: a child must be between 10 and 15 years of age and either is diagnosed with diabetes and/or is at high risk of developing diabetes

Space: the camp accommodates approximately 30 children plus volunteers

Sponsors: funds for the campers come from private donation, tribal contributions, and from tribal diabetes prevention programs. Funds for volunteers are strictly from private donations.

Donations: The Wellness Camp is a non-profit University of Arizona organization and all donations to the camp are deposited in an account at the University of Arizona’s Foundation that has been set up for the Wellness Camp. All donations are tax deductible.

Wish List:

The camp welcomes many types of donations: balls or sports equipment, raincoats, bottled water for use during the camp, items for prizes: art supplies, cameras, gift certificates for shoes or clothing, basketballs, fishing equipment, kites, etc.