Family Camps

Family camps are designed to give our youngest campers and their families and introduction to Gales Creek Camp. Family camps are open to campers and their families, including siblings without diabetes. Because we want to ensure as many families as possible can participate, we can accommodate a maximum of four (4) people in one family. At least one caregiver must attend family camp with their camper.

There are two kinds of Family Camp:

Day Family Camp. For kids who are just competing kindergarten, this camp is held over a Saturday. Campers and their families get a taste of what a day at camp will be like. While campers and siblings become "campers" for a day, swimming, hiking, playing games, and making new friends, parents are offered an opportunity to connect with our staff and one another. This is a chance for parents to ask questions of about how Gales Creek Camp ensures the safety of all campers, and it's a chance to meet other parents and caregivers who are also raising a young person with type 1 diabetes.

Overnight Family Camp. This one is for kids who are just completing 1st grade. This camp is held Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Like Day Family Camp, these sessions are designed to preview what a typical day (and night) of summer camp will look like for campers and caregivers. We'll play games and answer questions, then we'll have dinner and get ready for bed. Our camp counselors will take care of diabetes management* like they do during regular camps, so if you're not a heavy sleeper, you'll see what night check looks like!

*We ask that parents/guardians allow our staff to test campers and discuss their meal choices. However, unlike regular camps, calculating insulin dosages is still the responsibility of the parent/guardian. At regular camp, our docs do this part!

Here's a look at a Typical Day at Camp.