Camp De Los Ninos vs. Bearskin Meadows

Community
1

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone have an advice on Summer Camp. I have a 7 year old and we really want to send him to camp this summer. There are two camps, both supported by DYF. One is Camp De Los Ninos near Santa Cruz and the other is Bearskin Meadows...Fresno area. Has anyone had any experience with either of these camps?

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I have experience with both camps and would highly recommend Bearskin Meadow's Family Camp. He is on the young side for kid camp by himself. Are you able to go with him? Family Camp is the most amazing, supportive experience - you will learn so much and bond with other families also living with T1D - and it is so much FUN! The camp is run by folks with T1D themselves - the admins, the medical director, most of the counselors - it is just an incredible experience and encouraging for kids to see adults also living with this disease. I believe that Camp de los Ninos may also now be run by DYF - the same folks who run Bearskin Meadow? In the past it was run by the Santa Clara Diabetes Society - and, in the past, they rented the campsite for their diabetes sessions - it was not quite the comprehensive experience that you get at Bearskin Meadow - where the whole camp is set up for those living with TD1.

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Hey Lukesmom, my name is Lucas, also T1D for 18 years. Both camps are wonderful. I have not been to De Los Ninos but know Dr. Tariq Ahmad who is the med director and he is absolutely wonderful. At Bearskin Meadows I've been a counselor, and camper and to say the least it changed my life. Gave my first shot there as an 8 year old, got diagnosed at 7. Only issues is that your son is 7 and weeklong camps can seem a little scary, but after that initial hour all the campers forget about that and are surprised with the week goes by so quickly. DYF also does a day camp in Oakland and there are a couple of other org's that do weekend and none sleep away week long camps in the Bay Area, dashcamp.org is one and I am sure there are others. Either way just want to let you know both camps are great, the only difference really is location.

Thanks,

Lucas