SDES Journal

Believe it or not, there are only 26 days until camp!!!  It is by far my favorite time of the year.  Getting to see old friends, meet new ones and hang out with others who have diabetes… it just doesn’t get any better!

Make sure that you have registered for your spot at Camp Seale Harris 2009!!  You can register online at www.southeasterndiabetes.org or contact the office at (205) 402-0415.  It is going to be an amazing summer that you won’t want to miss!  Come make memories, friends and have fun at Camp Seale Harris 2009!!

We hope that you are getting excited for all of the programs that we have to offer in 2008!!  Make sure that you check out our 2008 schedule so you don’t miss out.  From your camp staff, we all hope that you have a happy and healthy 2008!

J

unior week at Camp Seale Harris is now in full swing. Campers from the ages of 6 to 12 are enjoying the outdoors and fun activities at camp while learning about their diabetes.

…Campers are quickly learning how to count carbohydrates and take their insulin…

Junior week is a much more structured week with groups rotating between activities. The Campers get to participate in nearly every activity that is offered ranging from the pool to the zipline. Campers are participating in diabetes education sessions that address topics that are important to young newly diagnosed children as well as those who have lived with diabetes for many years.

Campers are quickly learning how to count carbohydrates and take their insulin. Many Junior Campers come to Camp dependent on the care of their parents and return home under better control and able to independently manage their diabetes.

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oday is the final day of Senior camp 2007, and I must say that this week has been filled with memories that will last a lifetime.  The countless smiles, unending laughter and the neverending sounds of songs are echoing throughout camp.  From our daily activities and education to the evening programs, this week has truly provided each camper and staff member with memories and life lessons that will last forever.

…this week has truly provided each camper and staff member with memories and life lessons…

 Despite being our last day, there will be no slowing down.  On our schedule, we have an exquisite banquet, complete with everyone’s favorite chicken finger meal, followed with our awards program.  Following the awards, we will all have an opportunity to recap on the week and enjoy a slideshow, which always brings hugs and tears as it officially brings the week to a close.  Our night is ended with “barges,” or wishboats, which is a tradition at Camp Seale Harris.  As you place your barge in the water, you make a wish.  While the wishes are different from person to person, there is one wish that I make as my barge floats in the water.  I wish for everyone to hold tight to their memories and friendships made this week, and all return safely next year, as we are now all a camp family.  I have been so blessed to be involved with such great staff and campers, and wish the best for you all throughout the next year.

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ducation is a crucial part of the camp experience for the young people at Camp Seale Harris. Campers participate in a diabetes education session every day after breakfast. The programs are geared toward the knowledge level as well as the age of the campers. The diabetes education programs of each week cover basic topics such as diet and exercise along with understanding the causes and effects of complications associated with poor diabetes management.

…Counselors are often able to offer the Campers advice based upon their personal experiences…

The diabetes education for Senior Week develops skills for learning how to cope with diabetes through the high school and college years. First, Campers learned about the actual change in the flow of blood through their veins when blood sugars are high versus when they are under good control. Next, Campers learned how to manage their portion sizes. They also learned about the difference carbohydrate levels of foods at many fast food restaurants where campers often eat in high school and college. Diabetes education sessions will also be held in which campers can ask their counselors and doctors questions about growing up with diabetes. Counselors are often able to offer the Campers advice based upon their personal experiences.

Campers leave Camp Seale Harris with an improved understanding of diabetes and its effect on the many aspects of their lives. Campers return to camp the following years with their blood sugars under better control and with experiences to share with the new campers. Camp Seale Harris provides a fully immersive learning environment for children to learn how to blend their unique lives with a diabetes treatment style that works for them.

Susan Skelton was excited about dropping off her daughter at Camp Seale Harris for her daughter’s fourth summer at Camp Seale Harris.

…sending her daughter to Camp Seale Harris is the best thing that she has ever done for her entire family…

Mrs. Skellton said that Camp Seale Harris has been a learning experience for both her daughter and her family. She says that sending her daughter to Camp Seale Harris is the best thing that she has ever done for her entire family because it has taught her daughter how to deal with diabetes on her own while providing the family with support and education.

One of Mrs. Skelton’s favorite things about Camp Seale Harris is that most of the counselors have diabetes as well.  By sending her daughter to Camp Seale Harris her daughter has learned that she can do anything that anyone else can do regardless of having diabetes.

You can watch Susan Skelton’s Interview below!

 

 Parent Susan Skelton [1:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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oday marks the first post to the Camp Seale Harris blog and the first day of senior week 2007. Most of us have been here at Camp since last Tuesday when Family week started. We had a great time meeting new families and sharing memories with those returning. Family camp is a great time to interact with parents and provide advice and experience to children who are learning how to live with diabetes.

…camp is about having fun and making friends and memories that we can cherish through life…

Today continued the excitement as we began our resident camp session. Senior week campersrange in ages 13 to 17. The training sessions for the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program also occur during senior week. This year Georgia and William are Camp’s newest CIT directors who are working with a great group of young aspiring counselors. In just the first night the CITs are challenging their presumptions and are igniting the camp spirit that Seale Harris campers and staff have treasured for the last 60 years.

Camp’s tradition continues with not only these young men and women who will grow to become the future leaders of Camp Seale Harris, but also with the campers who build strong relationships with their friends at camp and extend the values they learn into their everyday life.

Camp Seale Harris is a camp for children with diabetes. But first and foremost it is a camp. Children spend time learning how to manage their diabetes from advice from doctors, counselors, and other campers. However, campers spend most of their time going to activities such as tubing and fishing. Camp is about having fun and making friends and memories that we can cherish through life. Today may have been the first day of Senior Camp 2007, but it is also the next day in the continuation of 60 years of great camp tradition.