“My son has been living with diabetes for over a decade now. As any family of a young T1 knows, diabetes can be tiring for the child AND their caregivers. Camp Joslin has been the most amazing experience for our family. It’s one of the only places your child can go where almost everyone is just like them and understands what they go through. The friendships formed will create a network of other diabetics to share news with and bounce ideas off of even when camp is over. From the caregiver perspective, it’s one of the only places your child can go where you don’t have to worry about them! Turning that part of your brain off and decompressing is so valuable towards fighting caregiver burnout. You won’t realize how often you check blood sugar readings until you’re not able to see them anymore. I highly recommend giving Camp Joslin a try – you and your child will be happy you did!”
– Camper Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a typical day look like at camp?
A: Camp days begin with wake-up at 7:30 a.m. and end with a bedtime snack around 9:00 p.m. Throughout the day, campers participate in a variety of scheduled activities, balanced with meals, rest, and diabetes care. A more detailed daily schedule is available upon request.
Q: My child has very specific allergies or dietary needs. Can you accommodate this?
A: Yes. We accommodate a wide range of dietary needs, including food allergies and medical requirements. Our staff works closely with families to ensure each camper’s needs are safely and thoughtfully met.
Q: Will my camper be in a cabin with children their own age?
A: Yes. Campers are placed in cabins by age, and we aim to keep the age range within each cabin to one year or less whenever possible.
Q: Do Camp Joslin and Clara Barton Camp interact during the session?
A: Yes. There are typically two planned opportunities for the camps to come together. On Tuesday evenings, Camp Joslin campers usually visit Clara Barton Camp for a camp dance. On Thursdays, Clara Barton Camp campers visit Camp Joslin during the day, from after breakfast until just before dinner.
Q: What do I need to pack for my child’s overnight stay?
A: Please see our packing list.
Q: Do we need to bring our own insulin or diabetes supplies?
A: Barton provides insulin, blood glucose monitoring supplies, and low blood sugar treatments. Families only need to pack pump and/or CGM supplies if their child uses them. Please pack extras, at times when playing sports or swimming, they come off.
Q: How long can my child attend camp?
A: Camp sessions are one or two weeks long, depending on your selection. Families may register for multiple sessions if they wish for their child to attend longer.
Q: When should I register my child for camp?
A: We recommend registering as early as possible, as sessions can fill quickly and may move to a waitlist.
Q: My child is returning with friends from last summer. Can they be placed together?
A: Yes. Cabin mate requests can be listed on the registration form. While we can’t guarantee placement, we do our best to honor requests when making cabin assignments.
The video below is a recording of our parent session from February 2026, meeting with camp staff. We go over many parts of camp and answer questions!