Many children with diabetes look forward to summer camp each year to, not only spend time with friends, but with other children who can relate to similar day-to-day obstacles that living with diabetes can present. The Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA) unites the global diabetes camping community, providing leadership, education, and resources to make camps for those with diabetes more impactful. As most summer camps across the US resumed this year, diabetes camps were faced with the extraordinary obstacle of protecting children who are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications due to diabetes. To bring summer camps for children living with diabetes back this year and to help protect these children, one of the nation’s largest laboratories, Premier Medical Laboratory Services, donated thousands of COVID-19 tests to DECA camps in 19 states across the nation, enabling them to safely return to camp this year.

“We know DECA and each of their camps do so much for the diabetes community – helping kids to learn how to manage the disease as well as support emotional wellbeing,” said Kevin Murdock, Founder and CEO of PMLS. “With diabetes being a global pandemic, it’s a large focus for Premier Medical Laboratory Services to provide top healthcare solutions for patients with diabetes. We are honored to help camps that improve the lives of children and adolescents with diabetes.”

For some children, a diabetes camp is their first opportunity to meet a friend who also has diabetes, or their first time staying somewhere without their parents. It’s a great place for them to adopt a new hobby or learn skills that give them more self-confidence. Along with the feeling of independence and support, diabetes camps have been shown to provide children with an increase in diabetes self-care abilities and decreased diabetes-specific distress. (1) For caregivers, diabetes camps provide a medically sound environment where they can feel assured that their children are safe and their diabetes care needs are met.

Terry Ackley, Executive Director of DECA added: “The safety of children with diabetes is the highest priority of diabetes camps. Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to the operation of diabetes camps this year. It has required that they carefully study their program delivery model and incorporate additional health and safety protocols following the newest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control. A tool that is very important to safely serving children with diabetes at camp is Covid-19 testing. Premier Medical Laboratory Services approached the diabetes camping community to offer their much-needed support. Our community greatly appreciates their generous donation of a large quantity of rapid antigen tests to diabetes camps across the United States. Premier Medical Laboratory Services has been instrumental to the ability of diabetes camps to operate this year. Their support is helping children learn more about how to manage their diabetes, build resilience to living with this difficult health condition, develop cherished friendships and have lots of fun!”

Aside from offering COVID-19 testing and many other medical diagnostics solutions, PMLS is continually searching for innovative diabetes prevention and maintenance applications. With some of the most advanced testing panels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, PMLS also introduced to the US a first of its kind predictive genetic test for type 2 diabetes, which allows patients to know their risk of future onset of the disease determined by their individual genetic make-up. Along with this, Premier Medical Laboratory Services is currently working with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on initiatives to bring soccer clinics to diabetes communities as part of their mission to improve patient lives both medically and through community outreach. PMLS is soon to announce more breakthrough solutions for diabetes care.

Sources: 1) Weissberg, J., Vesco, A., Rychlik, K. (2019, February 21) Pediatric Diabetes URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pedi.12836

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
I volunteered as part of my pharmacy residency program in 2017, but realized that I had found my people immediately! I have been volunteering since then.

What is your role at camp?
I started as an adult counselor, I am now medical staff and a part of the operations committee.

Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
Coming to camp every year refuels my fire for my career and life. It is hard to explain the purpose, hope, and joy that being at camp gives me! The goodness of the staff, the energy and resilience of the campers—it truly is the best place on earth!

What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
The dance is my favorite because the kids think it’s hilarious when we know some of the dances too!

What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
Camp has taught me more about managing diabetes than a textbook ever could. First and foremost-they are kids above all else. Having diabetes is something they handle with such grace, it does not define who they are. Camp has taught me the importance of acceptance, inclusion, and taking care of each other!

What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
When I’m not “Red”, I am a pharmacist and diabetes educator. I love spending time outdoors with my friends and family. My favorite child is a cactus baby named Linda.

Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I can still do back handsprings from way back when in my cheerleading days. I am also just a loud human being-not sure if that’s more of a skill or a talent.

 This content was originally published in East End Living's May 2021 edition. Written by Wendy Williams.

For the past 56 years, Camp Hendon has been providing children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and their families a community of support. Each summer, children can escape to Camp Hendon, where everyone takes insulin, checks their blood sugar, and counts carbohydrates at meals and snacks. Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic, auto-immune disorder that is not the result of lifestyle or eating habits. Many kids at camp have never met another child with T1D, haven’t spent the night away from home since their diagnosis, and they struggle with feeling alone. Camp Hendon serves hundreds of children as they learn to champion their illness and grow among peers that are just like them.
 
Camp Hendon’s volunteer-led camping and outreach programs give children with T1D the opportunity to learn more about their diabetes and to grow more confident in their ability to handle the daily challenges they face while managing their disease. Camp Hendon specializes in providing a fun, recreational camping program for children with diabetes in a safe, medically-supervised (consisting of some of the region’s best pediatric endocrinologists, nurses, and certified diabetes educators) setting away from home.
 
Diabetes Camp is a positive step toward independence for parents and children alike. Camp Hendon recognizes that diabetes is a family matter. It affects far more than just the child with the diagnosis. For one week each year, Camp Hendon provides parents and caregivers a desperately-needed reprieve from checking on their child throughout the night. One invaluable week free from the responsibilities of insulin ratios, pump changes, and blood sugar alarms.
 
In recent years, the Camp Hendon program has expanded beyond providing two weeks of traditional summer camp experiences. Families and children have the opportunity to stay involved and connected to camp all year through weekend Family Retreats, Teen Retreats, caregiver support groups, and other social events.
 
Camp Hendon has never turned a camper away for financial reasons; each summer, approximately 40% of children attend on scholarship. Every child has the opportunity to participate in these life-changing programs, regardless of their ability to pay. The goal of Camp Hendon is to support as many youth and families as possible. As a nonprofit organization, all funding comes from grants, donations, fundraising events, and camper registration fees.
 
With no cure for diabetes on the immediate horizon, self-management and community have become critical for long-term diabetes care, mental health, and overall well-being. While many organizations are dedicated to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, few offer support in the interim. Camp Hendon provides life-enhancing programs, without the promise of a cure, but with the guarantee of an experience that makes diabetes manageable until that cure is found.

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon, and how long have you been volunteering?
I started coming to camp when I was seven and remained a camper for the next ten years of my life. Not becoming a counselor was never really something that was on the table for me. This summer will mark my 4th year as a counselor and my 14th (wow, I’m getting old) summer at camp.

At what age were you diagnosed with T1D?
Age 2, 12/12/01.

What is your role at camp?
Adult Counselor (AC), kid wrangler, whatever you want to call it.
 
Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp, or how has it impacted your life?
I come back because camp is my home away from home and my fellow counselors and staff are my second family. They’ve always been there to lift me up and to motivate me when I need it.
 
What is your favorite activity at camp, and why?
Probably the zip line. It was my favorite thing to do when I was a camper I loved it when I was an eagle, and a few times, Loucon helped us arrange midnight zipping, which is pretty awesome. But as a counselor, I love it because I can watch my kids ( I call my campers my kids) overcome their fears and, as we say at camp “to stretch,” meaning stretching the limits of their comfort zone and growing as people.
 
What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
For me its that I’m not alone in this T1D battle, that I can always rely on my camp family and reach out to any one of them when I need support, its the best feeling in the world that these people will always have my back no matter the life stage.
 
What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
Currently, I am a student at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, majoring in Culinary Nutrition. I am receiving my bachelor’s in December and am starting my own small business called “The Diabetic Nutrition Coach” that will focus on food concerning diabetes management. Follow along @diabeticnutritioncoach on Facebook and Instagram.
 
Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I am in the process of learning Italian.
 
Favorite low treatment snack?
My go-to is generally Gatorade but my FAVORITE is ice cream.
 
Are you on a pump &/or CGM?  If so, which ones?
I was on the Omnipod with Dexcom G5 for years but in January switched to the Tandem Tslim X2 with Dexcom G6.
 
What is hard for you?  How do you manage it?
I’ve had diabetes for so long that its just a part of who I am and my day to day life. In high school it was hard because at school I didn’t have a ton of support but in college my friends are the best that I could ask for. I have one friend who is also chronically ill but not diabetic, and she understands when I’m having a rough day and we talk. I have another who is not chronically ill but she always watches out for me, even when I haven’t seen her in a year and a half but we talk everyday. Plus I have my camp family and with Plumpy (who my best friend named) my artificial pancreas I do pretty well with it all.
 
Favorite tip for dominating T1D when you have diabetes burnout?
The best piece of advice that I can give is to lean on your support system. If you are a camper, the next time you come back to camp create a group chat with all of your den mates, lean on each other when you need to, that's why camp exists and why we’re here. I had an eagle group chat when I was a camper and it was the best thing when you're having a bad day and can reach out to your camp friends and just to hear that your not alone, that they’re going through the same things is amazing.
 
Do you wear a medical ID?
I own one, but I don't wear it a ton. I do have a medic alert set up on my phone that could be used as an identifier in an emergency. When I’m up at school I always make a point to tell my chefs and professors that I am Type 1 and show them my gadgets. That way if something were to happen then they would know what's going on. 

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
I was a previous camper (started at the age of 12) and my time at camp wasn’t nearly finished! This year (2021) will be my 4th year as a volunteer but my 10th year of camp total :)

What is your role at camp?
Adult Counselor/singer of all the camp songs/does whatever Lori and Megan need me to :-)

​Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
I love the network of people and the friendships I have made with campers and counselors alike. I truly do not know what my life would look like if my parents hadn’t made me go to camp! I have the greatest support system of people who know exactly what I’m going through and are always there for me.

What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
Either the dances (because let’s face it- I’m an amazing dancer) or fishing/canoeing!

What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
That most everyone is going through the same thing you are, and we pretty much have shared experiences. We are not alone and this network of awesome people are always there for you day or night! :)

What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I am a full-time student studying Elementary/Special Education at UofL. I graduate this December and plan to
begin my teaching career in January of 2022! I have a 1 year old pup named Kiwi and love to exercise!

Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
Other than just being overall awesome, no

At what age were you diagnosed with T1D?
9 - November 7, 2008

Favorite low treatment snack?
Anything except glucose tabs and those nasty crackers they try to feed me at camp

Are you on a pump &/or CGM? If so, which ones?
I am on Omnipod and the Dexcom G6 CGM

What is hard for you? How do you manage it?
Since turning 21 in September, it’s been really hard for me to manage my blood sugars while drinking. I love fruity drinks so those always send my blood sugars sky high, then come crashing down. I do my best to think
beforehand about how much I am going to drink and to keep a close eye on my Dexcom!

Favorite tip for dominating T1D when you have diabetes burnout?
This is a hard one because I seem to constantly be going through burnout. I always just try to keep going and in the back of my mind try to have hope that there will be a cure one day soon!

Do you wear a medical ID?
I do not- I probably should though

We are so proud to share that Lori O'Bryant, Camp Hendon's Operations Manager, has been nominated to the American Camp Association's Camp Administrator's Hall of Fame! The goal of the Hall of Fame is to acknowledge and thank camp administrators for their invaluable work and their significant contribution to camps. To learn more about the Camp Admin Hall of Fame, click here.

There are two ways that Lori can be inducted into the Camp Administrator Hall of Fame:

• The Maple - Most Votes: The Maple will be awarded to the admin who has the most votes at the end of the voting period. This inductee will receive a custom inscribed paddle, a donation in their name to a campership fund, and a cash prize. 
• The Beech - Highest Average Votes across our camp population: The Beech will be awarded to the admin who has the highest average votes across their camp population. This award is meant to give smaller camp populations an advantage, as we recognize most votes is hard to win for these camps. This inductee will receive a custom inscribed paddle, a donation in their name to a campership fund, and a cash prize. 

The voting period for the Hall is a two-week period beginning Monday, March 29th, and concluding at 11:59 PM on Friday, April 9th.

Voting is easy and can be done on a computer, tablet, or phone. Starting on Monday, March 29th head to the voting page on the Camp Admin Hall of Fame website, find Lori, and vote! 

Anyone can vote - friends, family, classmates, volunteers, and of course our campers & parents! You are allowed to vote once a day for the entire voting period, for a maximum of 12 votes. 

Please take this opportunity to help us show Lori how much she means to us. Vote!

The news you have been waiting for… 

It is the decision of Camp Hendon’s staff, Medical Advisory Committee, and Board of Directors to move forward with plans to operate in-person summer camp! We are acutely aware of the challenges of this past year, and in particular, the feelings of isolation and loneliness felt by so many. Our kids, especially. Although our Zoom dance parties and virtual camps have been an eye-opening and unique opportunity to connect, there is no replacement for in-person camp. We miss our campers as much as they miss camp!

We weighed each of the options, which has led us to consider bringing our campers together again in a new, reimagined, and safe way. We know there will be challenges, but we have been given lemons and we are determined to make the best lemonade we can! It is also important to recognize that PHYSICAL distancing does not have to mean SOCIAL distancing and isolation! We can be 6 feet apart and still have a fun and safe experience. We are confident that we can provide a modified camp experience that will allow our campers to feel the sense of camaraderie only found at The Best Place On Earth. 

This is where you, our Camp Families, come in. We ask that you be transparent, realistic, flexible, and - very importantly - please read ALL Camp Hendon communications thoroughly! To help with communication, in addition to email, we will be using a text messaging tool called “Remind” to share updates. 

In return, we will be very transparent with you and provide all information we have available. State and local COVID-19 guidelines continue to change on a regular basis, so please understand that will also translate into ongoing changes in Camp Hendon’s plans. 

If you or your child are hesitant about attending camp, or cannot or will not reasonably abide by the expectations we put forth, we respectfully ask that you choose to sit this summer out and return in 2022. We hope to hold more off-season programs later in 2021/early 2022 to provide additional opportunities for all campers.

Some of the proposed modifications to camp are as follows. Please remember, these plans are subject to change.

• Reduced camp capacity for both sessions. We are actively working to determine the maximum number of campers we can accommodate, but it may be up to a 50% reduction.
• Campers may only attend one camp session for the summer in order to allow the greatest number of children the opportunity to attend camp. 
• Campers will be admitted on a first come, first served basis. A complete application will determine admittance to camp, and a waitlist will be established. View our Cancellation, Refund, & Waitlist Policy here.
  • Note: A limited number of spaces will be reserved per age group for new campers. If those spaces are not filled, returning campers will be admitted from the waitlist.
• Prior to arrival at camp, Campers and Staff will be required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test or provide proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination. Camp Hendon will help facilitate pre-camp PCR testing. Additional testing and screening will take place upon arrival at camp, and throughout the week. Testing and screening will come at no additional cost to families or staff.
• In the 14 days leading up to camp, campers will be asked to self-monitor their health using a daily questionnaire, as well as modify their behavior in order to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19.
• “One Parent, One Camper” check-in; Only one parent/guardian will be permitted to bring a camper to camp. No siblings/friends/other family members should be present.
• Campers will spend the entire session within same-age dens. These dens will not mix and campers should be prepared to do all activities within these dens. Any interaction with other dens will be at a minimum 6-foot distance between dens. 
  • Note: At this time, it is a possibility that the same-age dens will be further split into two same-gender “mini dens.” We will provide more detail on the composition of the dens as soon as possible, but please be aware that your camper may be spending their week only with the same-age, same-gender campers sleeping in their cabin.
• All-Camp activities will be significantly modified, with an emphasis on physical distancing and only using outdoor space (i.e. no indoor dance, no indoor talent show). Please be aware that inclement weather may be disruptive to these plans.
• Campers will spend very little time indoors, with the exception of sleeping, showers/restroom, specific medical care, and in the event of inclement weather.
• Meals will be delivered to each den. We will not be dining as a group in the dining hall. 
• Campers and staff will be screened daily with a temperature check and symptom questionnaire.
• In the event of camper or staff member sickness: Our Medical Advisory Committee is working on developing best practice protocols that can be realistically implemented at camp. Details will be provided as we get closer to camp. Dens will allow us to contact trace and we will notify parents of any positive cases within their child’s den.
• Mask mandates continue to change on a frequent basis. We will update you as we get closer to camp on what our mask rules may be.

An additional reminder that your $25 application deposit is non-refundable. Click here to view Camp Hendon’s Cancellation, Refund, & Waitlist Policy. We will still be offering camperships to any camper in need! If you have any financial concerns, please let us know.

We are using a new registration system from years past that should be more user-friendly. If you have any trouble registering or any questions please contact me at lobryant@camphendon.org or call/text me at 502-544-1954.

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?  
I have been volunteering since 1995.  I began as host camp staff when Camp Hendon came to Camp Crooked Creek.  I taught youth archery, rifle and shotgun shooting.  I followed Camp Hendon and volunteered with them since then.  I like the mission and purpose of Camp Hendon, that is why I volunteer.
 
​
​What is your role at camp?
I am a camp counselor and also a den leader.  I have been on the coyote den staff all the way up to the eagle den staff.  I followed a group of wonderful youth from coyote to eagle.  Six years together now, friends forever.
 
Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life? 
I come back for the fun of camp and the energy of the youth.  If they are jacked, I’m jacked.  I try to match their energy.
 
What is your favorite activity at camp and why? 
I like several things at camp.  I like swimming (dunking on all that want to get jammed on).  I like zip lining at night and an occasional pizza pool party.  Things to look forward to when in older dens.
 
What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp? 
I have learned to educate others on the basics of diabetes.  The experience has helped since I have recently been diagnosed as Type 2 diabetic.  That’s right, I’m part of the club (I drank the water).
 
What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I enjoy entertaining my nieces and nephews.  I work for a teen center that has a gym, game room, dance floor among other things.  I get paid to play and I’m honored to be able to entertain military youth to help relieve stress.
 
Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you? 
I am a non-swimmer but I love water.  I have gone whitewater rafting several times in class 4 & 5 rapids.  I am a decent frisbee golfer.  I love going to live sporting events. 
 
I am honored to be spot lighted.  I hope you learned more about me.

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
It wasn’t much of an intentional decision since I had been a camper since I was 10 years old.  Becoming a CIT (counselor in training) and then an adult counselor just seemed like the right next step to a 16 year old since camp was such a fun and meaningful experience as a camper.  Now, staying committed to volunteering for 26 years in a row (2021 willing!) has been an intentional decision and I make it a priority to make time for camp and the other KYDCFC activities.

What is your role at camp?
With 31 years of camp under my belt, if you don’t have to have a license I’ve probably done it twice. Most recently I’ve helped restart the CIT program which leaves me time and flexibility to lend a hand to staff wherever help is needed.  Anymore, the only “role” I try to ensure I play is facilitating the “spirit” and traditions of camp…..sharing with new staff why we do what we do and why it matters, ensuring campers feel the connectedness to the camp family on our last night, etc.  
 
Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
I love to help others have a meaningful experience, but I think in the end I still manage to receive more than I give.  It’s 100% a symbiotic relationship, LOL.
 
What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
Our closing ceremony.  You just know camp has made an impact on the campers and the staff. 
 
What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
Everyone’s journey with diabetes is different, and yet the same.  Even as an adult it’s nice to know you have peers and a support system that knows when to commiserate and when to give you a little….um….motivation when needed.
 
What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I spent 17 years working for nonprofits and associations, mostly in leading continuing education departments.  In January I started my own consulting practice focused on credentialing, competency, and workforce development initiatives.

My spouse, Emily, and I live in Columbus, Ohio and have 5 year old twins named Logan and Lilly and a beagle named Marie (Rierie).

At what age were you diagnosed? 
July 12, 1980. 15 months old.

Favorite low treatment snack?
Oreos, which are a terrible treatment choice.

Are you on a pump &/or CGM?  If so, which ones?
Tandem tslim x2 and the dexcom G6 for the hybrid closed loop system which is a life changer!
 
What is hard for you?  How do you manage it?
After 40 years letting yourself get too comfortable and being on auto-pilot is my challenge.  I get sloppy with carb counting and then get frustrated with the results.  Camp is a really good refresher on real world challenges.
 
Favorite tip for dominating T1D when you have diabetes burnout?
Acknowledge it, give yourself permission to be burned out.  This is the most important marathon we’re ever going to run and it’s really a psychological marathon with yourself.  When I’m lost in it and it feels overwhelming I commit to one thing a week to focus on to get back on track. “OK this week it’s carb counting, pay attention to portion sizes.  Ok it’s next week, focus on bolusing before you eat. OK, we’re good now Josh this week don’t eat the whole pack of oreos at 3am.” Sometimes it’s the little things.
 
Do you wear a medical ID?
I wear a necklace; I lost the charm so I need a new one.

​Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I taught myself to juggle when I was little because I thought it’d be on the entrance exam to clown college. True story.

What made you decide to volunteer at Camp Hendon and how long have you been volunteering?
I think I've been coming to Camp Hendon about 6 years now. The reason I originally came was actually because my nursing school offered us to go to Camp Hendon over the summer instead of taking a class. I fell in love with all the volunteers there and really enjoyed my experience so I've been coming back every year since and it just keeps getting better!

What is your role at camp?
I am a nurse, however I think most of the volunteers agree we all wear many hats and share a lot of roles and responsibilities.

Why do you come back year after year? What do you get from camp or how has it impacted your life?
I come back because it's truly a fantastic experience. It helps me grow as an individual and enhances my life. From the staff to the campers it's an absolute pleasure to be there. Camp helps me develop my time management, patience, leadership skills, communication, patience, and oh, did I mention patience? 

What is your favorite activity at camp and why?
Personally, dangle duos. I don't care how many times I've come to camp that thing is by far the hardest exercise. You'd think after half a decade I would remember how to do it or have some method down. Nope. Nothing has made me feel more helpless. Dangle duos keeps me humble.
As an overall experience I love the trust fall. There’s always one or two campers who are scared and nervous and watching them push past their comfort zone is a very inspiring experience to bear witness to.

What are some things you have learned or taken away from camp?
Every year I learn more about diabetes, even with being a medical expert. From pumps to CGMs my knowledge changes and grows every year.

What do you do in your real life when you’re not giving your time to Camp Hendon?
I’m a traveling ICU nurse so I tell everyone I'm a professional hobo, but most people would probably use the term gypsie. I'm extremely active. I pretty much do all the outdoor activities/things. I also play video games with my besties across the U.S.A. If you've seen my Instagram you probably know my dog Stella! She is a long-haired dachshund so basically a fluffy wiener dog. She's everything to me and goes everywhere with me.

Do you have any skills or talents that many may not know about you?
I’m pretty good at soccer!