Lion's Camp Hickory
Lion's Camp Hickory
P.O. Box 108
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
Phone
(315) 638-3328
Email Address
Jack Osinski
josinski@twcny.rr.com
Camp Hickory is a one-week summer day camp for children, aged 6 - 12 years old, with type 1 diabetes, located at a 43-acre park on the Seneca River in Baldwinsville, New York.
The camp is staffed with mature adults and professionals in the field of diabetes. All staff members are trained about working with children and diabetes health issues.
The Camp Director, Mrs. Jill Hayes, is a Registered Dietician/Certified Diabetes Educator. According to Mrs. Hayes, the daycamp is "not a clinic in the woods," but a week filled with activities that are fun while being educational about diabetes.
Camp Activities
Activities during camp will include:
* Arts & crafts
* Fishing
* Hiking
* Fun science
* Camp Hickory Olympics
* Music and motion
* Volleyball
* Get wet water games
* Softball
Camp goals will be achieved by careful attention to basic life concepts including socialization, coping, skill building, team building, bonding, diabetes education and management.
Why Should My Child Attend Daycamp?
Camp Hickory will provide your child with a recreational program and experience while at the same time learning about their diabetes. At Camp Hickory, your child will learn personal diabetes management skills that will enhance their self esteem.
Under the guidance of camp counselors and the other staff members, your child will be encouraged to mature through a feeling of independence. The camp staff will celebrate with each child as they gain self-esteem and confidence in maintaining their health.
The campers will learn to understand the 4 most critical issues in their lives:
* Diet
* Exercise
* Stress levels
* Medications
The goals of Camp Hickory are:
* Every camper will be able to independently test his or her own blood sugar.
* To help the campers gain more independence as they learn better diabetes management skills.
* To enable children with diabetes to gain confidence by meeting others with diabetes.
* To provide the child who has diabetes an enjoyable, healthy experience in an environment away from home.
* To help children learn that diabetes is not a restrictive lifestyle.
* To help children recognize physical changes related to blood sugar fluctuations.
Diabetes Care
Campers will be under constant supervision by trained staff members, some who have diabetes themselves. At least one Registered Nurse will be onsite during camp.
Lunch and snacks are provided at Camp Hickory. The menu and range of snacks are carefully chosen by a Registered Dietician.
Campers will be encouraged to learn how to check their own blood sugar levels, administer their own medications and record the results.
Diabetes education is an integral part of camp. The campers will be receiving instruction throughout each day, sometimes as an opportunity presents itself. At times, this instruction may be in the form of songs or skits that will give the campers an opportunity to "ham it up" while learning something else about themselves and diabetes.
Camp Safety
The staff of Camp Hickory and the Lion's Clubs volunteers will make every effort to keep your child safe while at camp. A waterfront safety staff person will always be on duty if any activity, such as fishing, is close to the river. In the event of a storm, activities will shift into the Community House, recently expanded by the Baldwinsville Lions to its' current size of 37' x 80'. The Community House features 4 toilet rooms and a complete kitchen.
Staff is trained and knowledgeable about medical "sharps" and blood born pathogens along with diabetes awareness training.
