Why Camp Matters—for kids with type 1 diabetes
(and their parents)

For Campers

     Camp is a place where you don’t have to explain anything. Everyone here has type 1 diabetes. Everyone checks blood sugars, counts carbs, and takes activity breaks to treat a low. It’s just normal.
At camp, you’ll:
  • Try new things like swimming, sports, adventures, and activities you might not have done before
  • Get more comfortable managing your diabetes on your own (with support when you need it)
  • Build confidence in yourself
  • Make friends who truly get it

     And those friendships don’t just stay at camp. You’ll meet people you can contact during the year when something feels off, when you’re frustrated, or when you just want to talk to someone who understands without you having to explain every detail. People you can swap tips with, ask questions, vent to, or celebrate wins with.

     There’s something really powerful about not feeling like you’re the only one figuring this out. You’ll still have doctors, nurses, and counselors supporting you every step of the way. But you’ll also start to realize: you can do more than you think.
A lot of campers say the best part is just getting to be a kid without diabetes being the thing that makes you feel different.
 

For Parents

      This is often the harder leap. Even when you know your child is ready, it can be difficult to imagine not being the one checking, reminding, watching, and managing every detail. That hesitation is completely normal.

      At Barton, your child is supported by both a team and peers that understands type 1 diabetes deeply. Medical care here is structured, attentive, and individualized. But just as important is what happens beyond the medical care. Your child becomes part of a community. They’re surrounded by peers who understand their day-to-day life in a way that even the most supportive friends at home often can’t. That shared experience creates something powerful: connection, confidence, and a sense of not being alone in navigating life with diabetes.

      Many campers leave with friendships that continue throughout the years. They text and call each other when they’re having a tough day, share what’s working for them, ask questions, and support one another in ways that are hard to replicate outside of this environment. That kind of peer support is not just meaningful, it’s preventative care. It reduces isolation and loneliness, builds resilience, and helps kids navigate the substantial emotional side of living with diabetes.

     At the same time, camp creates space for your child to grow: They begin to take more ownership.

     They build confidence in their ability to manage their diabetes. They see what it looks like to do that within a supportive, understanding community. 
 
      And for many parents, something shifts too. You get a chance to step back and see your child grow in ways that are hard to access in everyday life. You get a real break from the constant vigilance. And you get to watch your child come home more confident, more independent, and proud of themselves.
 
      You don’t have to feel completely ready to take this step. Most parents don’t. But for many families, it becomes one of the most meaningful and lasting parts of their child’s diabetes journey.
Parent Feedback

“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”

First-time Camper Parent

     For many families, the first year comes with many questions about what to expect, how to prepare, and how it all works once your child is at camp.

     To make things easier, we’ve created a Camp Toolkit with everything you need to feel prepared and confident heading into the summer.