Helping Kids Get to Camp

The Cause

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic illness and the effects of not properly managing the disease can be severe. For many children and youth with T1D they struggle to access recreational activities in an environment that understands and supports their diabetes. Therefore, we developed our Diabetes Sports Camps to provide children and youth with T1D with safe access to sports and help them develop the skills necessary to ensure positive physical and emotional well-being.

During each Diabetes Sports Camp, our trained staff will lead participants through a variety of sports such as badminton, baseball, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball while utilizing experiential learning to build the confidence, healthy habits, diabetes management and physical literacy skills of participants. By empowering participants with practical experience in managing their diabetes throughout recreational activities, they gain transferable skills that they can apply to their own lives, helping to reduce their risk of diabetes related complications and promote long-term positive health outcomes. Our staff also lead open discussions about the challenges of living with diabetes and strategies to overcome barriers. These discussions help to reduce the stigma and isolation many youth feel living with diabetes to improve participants’ emotional and mental well-being.

Outcomes of our camps include increased confidence and self-esteem; improved diabetes management, self-care skills and healthy habits; improved motivation to lead a healthy, active lifestyle as well as an increased connection to the community. In 2024, 94% of participants reported that the camp empowered them to live well with diabetes and 80% reported having increased self-esteem after attending the camp.

In 2025, we are running two Diabetes Sports Camps in Calgary at the Calgary Soccer Centre. With your support, we will provide free or subsidized access for kids aged 5-15 who are living with diabetes and in financial need to attend camp and grow their diabetes management and self-care skills through sports activities.

Who Will it Benefit?

Children and youth aged 5-15 living with type 1 diabetes who require financial assistance.