Diabetes Youth Families

DYF's educational and recreational programs are offered at our Bearskin Meadow Summer Camp (BMC), and at various sites in the Bay Area. Below is a description of the methodologies that are used to deliver these programs:

Programs provide participants with experiential education and hands on learning. Proper diabetes management is learned by giving program participants the opportunity to try new technology and methods in treating their diabetes under the supervision of trained health professionals. In addition, panel discussions with individuals with diabetes are included and feature candid conversations and Q & A's on how individuals have handled diabetes in real life situations.

All programs are staffed by individuals who have diabetes and who role model proper diabetes management. Program participants are given the opportunity to learn by watching and interacting with counselors, health professionals and program staff with diabetes. In addition, special programs are designed for teens interested in leadership training opportunities.

Many of the programs include outdoor recreation including hikes and overnight backpacking opportunities so that program participants can learn the affect of exercise on diabetes and methods to treat hypo and hyper glycemic reactions.

All programs include diabetes education, whether formal or informal. While informal education takes place throughout our programs, most of our program includes time set aside for formal diabetes education and training by health professionals with and without diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that affects the entire family. Therefore our programs are designed to offer support not only to the child with diabetes but also the parents, caregivers and siblings. Through education and support we work on helping families create an optimum environment for successful diabetes management and control. A full-time social worker is on hand at all times at all our summer camp programs and many of our year-round activities to assist families with their questions, concerns and struggles.

Many of our programs include time for laughter and fun, since DYF believes part of the healing process is humor. For example, at our residential camp programs, we include a variety of entertaining skits and fun-filled performances which poke fun at diabetes. Each are designed to make children, teens and families laugh while at the same time feel supported in their efforts in ongoing diabetes management and treatment.
While each of the DYF programs have unique opportunities for learning and fun, the primary purpose of all our program is to provide children and families affected by diabetes with life saving information, education and support to live healthy and productive lives. Specifically, goals for each participant of our programs include teaching children and families and others affected by diabetes how to:

Understand the types of insulins and technology available to administer and adjust insulin levels in order to match activity levels and food consumption.

Calculate carbohydrate intake and other issues surrounding nutrition and diabetes

Understand the most recent advances in diabetes technology and research.

Implement regular blood glucose testing and ketone monitoring

Properly treat episodes of blood glucose hypo- and hyperglycemic reactions

Ultimately, through our programs children with diabetes and their families are given the life saving information and emotional support needed to live healthy, normal and productive lives. Participants quickly learn that with proper diabetes management everything in life is possible!