The Circle of Life Camp
at Lion’s Camp Badger
15th Annual Camp Season
The Circle of Life Camp, Inc., a not-for-profit resident camp for children and their familes with diabetes, was founded in 1996. The camp provides the fundamental, age-appropriate diabetes education and social support essential for adolescents to properly manage their diabetes. The campers experience a unique opportunity to interact in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, which fosters understanding, acceptance of their condition, and proper emotional development. They are able to share their knowledge, experience, and concerns as well as participate in educational sessions and recreational camping activities.
Education and psychosocial support for children with diabetes to live happy and healthy lives.
“Education and psychosocial support for children with diabetes to live happy and healthy lives.” For the past fourteen years, the Circle of Life Camp has been educating and supporting children with diabetes. Due to the exponential number of children diagnosed with diabetes each year, the demand for our program has also significantly increased. To accommodate this increasing healthcare need, the Circle of Life Camp has started to expand its programming over the past few years. In December 2009, the Circle of Life Camp signed a partnership agreement with Lion’s Camp Badger, moving the Camp to a permanent location in Spencer, NY, to further expand the camp programming. Lion’s Camp Badger sits on 220+ beautifully wooded acres with a lake for canoeing and boating, a swimming pool, large field, playground, and over 100 acres of hiking.
The Circle of Life Camp's philosophy is to promote the "normalcy" of diabetes among the campers. The camp focuses on fun: playing sports, swimming, making crafts, hiking, bonfires and canoeing, rather than diabetes. Diabetes education is informal between counselors and campers, which is the most effective way children learn. Everyone at the camp gives themselves injections, monitors their blood glucose and learns to make healthy meal choices together. The prejudicial labeling term "diabetic" is banished from the vocabulary of everyone in attendance; the campers and staff are people with diabetes, not "diabetics." The camp is a fun and relaxing vacation from parents! Additional information about the Circle of Life Camp can be found in the book entitled Growing Up With Diabetes: What Children Want Their Parents to Know, by Alicia McAuliffe
Until there is a cure ... there's the Circle of Life
The camp is supported and staffed by volunteer medical professionals and additional trained volunteer counseling staff. All medical procedures are supervised by medical staff certified in diabetes education and the camp menus are planned by a dietician, CDE. The camper to counselor ratio is 3:1. Financial assistance is available, allowing children from low-income families to attend. The camp relies on contributions from individuals, businesses and civic organizations to keep the cost for campers at an affordable price. Enrollment is strictly on a first come first serve basis, regardless of health status.
The camp also seeks new and updated product donations from medical supply companies, such as glucose meters and lancet devices to distribute to campers. This ensures that all campers, including those who ordinarily would not be able to afford such equipment, leave the camp having the proper equipment to manage their diabetes.
The Circle of Life Camp has found a permanent home at the beautiful 220 + acre Lion’s Camp Badger in Spencer, NY (12 mi from Ithaca and 20 mi from Elmira).
SUMMER SESSIONS:
Session 1: August 14-18, 2010
(for boys & girls ages 13-16)
Camper Tuition: $650 - Register Online
Session 2: August 21-24, 2010
(for boys & girls ages 8-12)
Camper Tuition: $500 - Register Online
Family Camp Day - OPEN HOUSE: June 5, 2010 Noon
Free Please RSVP to circlecamp@aol.com or 518-459-3622 to reserve your family's place! Enjoy a day of hiking, canoeing, and camp activities with other families with diabetes and see our new campsite!
Family Camp Weekend: September 17-19, 2010
Tuition for a family of 4 is $350
Each additional person over the age of 3 is $15 - Register Online
Financial Aid is available.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Taste of NYC
July 29, 2010 7pm
42, The Resturant
The Ritz Carlton, White Plains, NY
Featuring the favorite foods of NYC with a twist by Chef Anthony Goncalves
Please register online:
https://www.mycampregistration.com/Member/Default.aspx?CEID=MjYyNjRfNjMw-OaXG61F9jMU=
Please call 518-459-3622 with any questions.
Feel free to email: circlecamp@aol.com if you would like to be sent an information on our next Family Camp program or any events.
4th Annual Circle of Life Tee-Off
September 18, 2010
Orchard Creek Golf Club, Altamont, NY
Please call 518-459-3622 with any questions.
We Need Your Financial Support
The mission of the Circle of Life Camp is to improve the lives of children with diabetes. We are committed to making the Circle of Life Camp experience available to all children who will benefit regardless of financial status, race, sex, handicap, age, or national origin within staff and programming abilities.
Young people need two things to deal with diabetes: knowledge to control their chronic disease and coping with it for a happy and healthy life. Circle of LIfe Camp provides both, and gives young people the power of knowing that they are not alone.
Circle of Life Camp receives no funding from national organizations or other diabetes nonprofits. It has a small staff with a big mission and needs your help!
Donate by Mail: Donation Form
Donate Online:
Donate Goods for Camp:
In-kind Donation Form
List of products and supplies needed for camp.
