Our 88th Season Offering Diabetes Support Programs!
Early Bird Discount – save up to $500 by registering before Jan. 31st!
Registration is NOW OPEN for these programs and will fill up quickly!
Tier 1 – Full Fee:
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2 – Subsidized Fee:
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Scholarship Options:
Our full- and partial- scholarship options are funded through generous donations from community organizations, families, donors, and fundraisers to make camp accessible and affordable for everyone.
During the registration process, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know the amount of support you need to make camp a reality. Click here to see our criteria for scholarships.
Payment Plans:
DYF offers monthly in-house, interest free financing options, no credit check needed!
You may finance any portion of your fees, including your deposit, and may select a 6 or 12 month financing term during the registration process.
Crowdfund Your Fee:
Even with our fees priced as low as possible, we know that diabetes camp can feel expensive. To help ease the burden, we’re happy to offer a Crowdfund your Fee option! We’ll lend you our support to get you started.
How it works – create a Crowdfund Your Fee page, set your goal to the fee amount you would like to raise, and share it with your friends and family. Any contributions to your page will apply directly to your program fees.
Your crowdfunding page will close on August 31, 2025 (October 31st for Fall Retreat participants). If you did not raise enough to cover your program fees by this date, you will automatically be placed on a 6-month payment plan for the remainder due.
Please note: Contributions to your page are not tax-deductible, as they benefit the participant directly. You are not fundraising for DYF when you select to Crowdfund your Fee, but rather opting to crowdfund your own fees.
Click here to jump to a specific program category:
Weeklong Family Camps
Family Camp is a week of recreational activities and diabetes education for children and teens (0-17) with T1D and their family members.
Dates: July 13-18, July 20-25
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Sequoia National Forest, Family Camp provides unparalleled diabetes support and community for the entire family. Family Camp at Bearskin Meadow Camp (BMC) offers an opportunity for families to relax, have fun, and learn about T1D together. During the mornings, kids go with their peers and camp counselors to fun activities such as archery, swimming, sports, diabetes education, and art. Our staff is trained in T1D management and most have diabetes themselves, so your kiddos will be in great hands!
While kids are off enjoying themselves, parents and adults are in diabetes education sessions and support groups led by our amazing healthcare professionals. Session topics range from managing the emotional trauma and ongoing hardships of life with T1D, to tips and tricks for daily management, to sick day care, and more. In addition, before every meal our medical team will be available for “insulin line” where you can discuss changing insulin needs based on carbohydrate intake and activity levels. A huge benefit of Family Camp is having full access to world-class endocrinologist and diabetes care teams all week long!
In the afternoons families will spend quality time together, enjoy various camp activities, and trips to nearby Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. In the evenings families participate in a range of fun group programming including campfires, night hikes, talent shows, a camp dance, and more! (See Sample Program Schedules Here)
P.S. – If you’re a family who likes adventuring in the outdoors, check out our Family Adventure Programs!
Tier 1: $1,195 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $840 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Weekend Family Retreats
Spring Family Retreat is a weekend of recreational activities and diabetes education for children and teens (0-17) with T1D and their family members.
(Registration Closed) Date: March 14-16
Location: Mt. Gilead, Sebastopol
Bring the family to enjoy a beautiful spring weekend filled with community, learning, and fun. Whether you choose to attend an education session about the latest in diabetes technology, enjoy a walk together through the redwoods, or head over to take a ride on the Goliath swing, you’re going to have a memorable weekend! Spring Retreat is a great option whether you are new to diabetes management or looking to reconnect with your community.
Our Family Retreat weekends are located in the Bay Area and they are the perfect opportunity to experience a dose of Family Camp closer to home.
These weekend Family Retreats are an amazing mid-year diabetes refresher and provide a fun getaway. Weekend Family Retreats offer the same benefits of Family Camp but in a shortened time frame and with easier accessibility to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tier 1: $495 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $300 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Fall Family Retreat is a weekend of recreational activities and diabetes education for children and teens (0-17) with T1D and their family members.
Date: Oct 17-19
Location: Camp Jones Gulch, La Honda
This annual retreat offers a unique blend of educational opportunities led by diabetes experts, alongside an array of engaging activities. Your family can look forward to pumpkin carving for a touch of autumn magic, archery sessions to test your aim, colorful tie-dye activities to spark creativity, various arts and crafts for artistic exploration, and a range of sports and games suitable for all ages. It’s an ideal setting to gain valuable insights into diabetes management while creating lasting memories with your family. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with other families in a supportive and fun-filled environment among the beautiful redwoods of the Santa Cruz mountains.
Our Family Retreat weekends are located in the Bay Area and they are the perfect opportunity to experience a dose of Family Camp closer to home.
These weekend Family Retreats are an amazing mid-year diabetes refresher and provide a fun getaway. Weekend Family Retreats offer the same benefits of Family Camp but in a shortened time frame and with easier accessibility to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Tier 1: $495 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $300 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Campamento Familiar en Español (Family Camp in Spanish) is the same great programming and excellent diabetes education as our weekend family retreats, but all in Spanish!
(Registration Closed) Date: February 7-9
Location: Camp Arroyo, Livermore
Campamento Familiar en Español is the same great programming and excellent diabetes education as our weekend family retreats, but all in Spanish! All diabetes education and programming will be done in Spanish by native speakers who are knowledgeable about the cultural nuances that make managing T1D complex. (See Sample Program Schedules Here)
For more information in Spanish about this program, please see our page: Campamento Familiar en Español
Only $25 per family.
Kids & Teen Summer Camps (7-17)
CDLN (Ages 7-17) is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains and offers all the summer camp fun, closer to the San Francisco Bay Area.
(Registration Closed) Date: July 29-August 2
Location: Loma Mar
CDLN is a fast-paced, high-energy week in the Santa Cruz Mountains for kids and teens with type one diabetes. Camp for ages 7-13 will run concurrently with camp for teenagers 14-17 with some activities involving the whole camp and others split by age. Activities include swimming, sports, ziplining, hiking, a rock wall, art, group games, diabetes education and more. Campers will sleep in cabins and enjoy delicious meals with the carbs counted for them! Chartered bus transportation is available for a $100 fee. (See Sample Schedule Here)
Tier 1: $1,900 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $1,250 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Kid's Camp (Ages 7-13) offers a safe, comfortable, and fun away-from-home experience for kids with T1D. Enjoy classic camp experiences such as swimming, archery, arts & crafts, games, dances, campfires and more with diabetes education woven throughout!
(Registration Closed) Date: June 29-July 3
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
Kids Camp at BMC is for youth with T1D ages 7-13 who are ready for an outdoor adventure in the Sierras! Kids will be grouped with peers of similar age under the supervision of trained camp counselors. Medical staff will join each group throughout the session to provide supervision and guidance. Campers will do fun activities such as archery, swimming, sports, art, campfires, and more. Everyone sleeps under the stars on open-air decks at Bearskin Meadow Camp, so Kids Camp is a good option for those who have some experience with camping and feel comfortable with an all-outdoor environment. Chartered bus transportation is available for a $100 fee. (See Sample Schedule Here)
Tier 1: $1,795 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $1,000 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Buddy Camp (Ages 7-15) is a unique program built for kids who want to share the diabetes camp experience with a buddy or sibling that does not have T1D.
(Registration Closed) Date: June 23-27
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
At Buddy Camp, participants will enjoy swimming, archery, arts & crafts, games, dances, campfires and more. Though the daily activities are very similar to our Kids Camp, this gives children with T1D the opportunity to build their support crew and normalize living with diabetes, while buddies get the opportunity to share in the special camp magic as they develop a better understanding of how we live with and manage our type 1 diabetes. Chartered bus transportation is available for a $100 fee per camper. (See Sample Schedule Here)
Tier 1: $3,000 per pair
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $1,750 per pair
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
*Note Regarding Summer Camps
Independent Camps are ideal for youth with T1D who are ready to spend some time away from their family and gain some independence. Independent Camps also offer a much-needed reprieve to parents who are exhausted from 24/7 diabetes management. Kids will have a traditional summer camp in a safe environment surrounded by diabetes experts including camp staff with T1D, nurses, endocrinologists, general practitioners, dietitians, and certified diabetes specialists. Diabetes care is supervised by our medical team. Help with injections, pump and CGM site changes, and BG monitoring will be provided on varying levels based on each child’s comfort level.
Please feel free to call our office to discuss the right fit for your child so that we can ensure they are set up for success. Independent Camp requires a certain level of maturity and readiness that not all kids currently have. We do generally suggest at least one year of Family Camp for families new to T1D and/or DYF, particularly if the child is on the younger side.
Teen Camp (Ages 14-17) is designed to support the lifestyle and social interests of high-school aged teenagers living with type 1 diabetes. Teens will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities and diabetes education.
(Registration Closed) Date: July 6-11
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
Teen Camp offers the joys of camp and community that this age group often desperately needs. Campers will participate in a variety of activities and will participate in Teen Education Day, a cutting-edge conference-style day that meets teens where they are and addresses real-life situations. Led by our medical team, participants will engage in candid diabetes-related conversations about the difficult situations teens face in high school and college. DYF is the only diabetes camp to offer such a program, and we’ve found it to be an invaluable resource for our participants.
Chartered bus transportation is available for a $100 fee.
Tier 1: $2,250 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $1,200 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Leaders in Training (LIT) Programs (Ages 16-17) are for older teens with or without diabetes who are ready to take the next step in developing their leadership skills.
(Registration Closed) LIT 1: July 13-25
(Registration Closed) LIT 2: June 18-27
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
We are proud to offer a two-year Leaders in Training (LIT) Program at Bearskin Meadow Camp. Participants may or may not have type 1 diabetes. Many graduates of the LIT program become paid summer staff at BMC once they turn 18!
Spots are limited and fill fast. After completing an interview, candidates will know if they are selected within two weeks.
LIT 1 – The first year of the LIT program is for 16- and 17- year-olds and focuses on general leadership qualities and skills. The first week will be spent doing team building activities and shadowing camp staff, while the second week will put those new skills to the test with integration into the kids’ groups at Family Camp.
LIT 2 – Year two of the LIT program is for 17-year-olds who have successfully completed LIT I the year prior. The program starts off at Staff Training as the LITs learn alongside the summer staff, covering topics such as advanced diabetes management, child development, and risk management. Some LIT-only fun will take place during the break between the end of Staff Training and the start of Kids Camp, then the challenge will really begin! LITs will be assigned a Kids Camp group and camp staff mentors; they will be in full counselor mode while learning in real time what it takes to care for a group of young kids with type 1 diabetes. LITs will find fulfillment and satisfaction as they experience personal growth during this impactful program.
Tier 1:
LIT 1: $3,295 per person
LIT 2: $2,500 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2:
LIT 1: $1,950 per person
LIT 2: $1,250 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Adventure Programs
At DYF, we believe that type 1 diabetes shouldn’t limit us, and our Adventure Programs are the perfect embodiment of that philosophy. All of our Adventure Programs are led by fantastic medical providers and experienced wilderness guides who know how to support those with T1D in the backcountry. Adventure Programs are designed to provide a safe framework for participants to engage in personal and physical challenges, bringing opportunities for accomplishment and growth.
Family Camping (for families with a kid or teen with type one) - is a weekend of camping and hiking in a beautiful location close to the bay area!
(Registration Closed) Date: May 24-26
Location: Pt. Reyes
Looking for a quick camping getaway close to home? During this weekend we will enjoy being in nature with a community that understands T1D. We will spend our time going on hikes, playing games, getting to know each other and learning experientially about how to manage diabetes in the wild! Medical professionals will be present to provide support and we’ll take care of the food and equipment!
Tier 1: $495 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $300 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Altitude 14,505 (Ages 15-17) is an intense expedition backpacking trip spanning approximately two weeks, where teens living with T1D will journey ~70 miles through the High Sierra wilderness with the goal of summiting the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States: Mt. Whitney.
(Registration Closed) Date: July 9-23
Location: High Sierra Wilderness
Participation in this expedition requires a great deal of dedication for the several months leading up to the journey. Participants will be required to engage in a training regimen, supported by regular communications with the trip leaders and fellow participants, to physically prepare their bodies for the rigorous nature of this trip. We will work together to meet the challenge of hiking 15 miles per day with a heavy load on our backs, up and down steep mountains, at over 10,000ft above sea level. Summiting is not guaranteed, as there are any number of factors that could affect the chances, though every effort will be made to meet that goal. Regardless of if the summit is reached, this program will instill in its participants that it is not the final destination, but the experience that is life-changing.
Due to the necessary advanced preparation time for this specialized program, a pre-acceptance interview is required for all applicants. All applicants who apply during this window will receive an interview regardless of the order in which applications are received.
Tier 1: $6,000 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $3,750 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Community Whitewater Rafting (Age 18+ or 10+ with an adult) - Calling all DYF community members! Current families; alumni; counselors, past or present; and volunteers, this program is for you! Whatever your connection with the DYF community, you are invited to join in this fun whitewater rafting weekend!
Date: August 29-31
Location: Lotus, CA
All members of the DYF community ages 10 and up are invited to join us for a fun and thrilling weekend of whitewater rafting down the South Fork of the American River over Labor Day weekend. This program is in partnership with Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC), who will provide the river guides and basecamp. Bring your camping gear or borrow some from ETC and we’ll take care of the food, rafting equipment, and activities. Plus, our camp staff and medical team will be there to help with diabetes care and provide support on and off the water. We’ll start on Friday afternoon with an afternoon swim, dinner, and evening activity. We’ll then get some rest before our first full day of rafting on Saturday to Salmon Falls. On Sunday, we’ll hit the rapids as we navigate the faster waters of Chili Bar before heading home around 4pm. Youth ages 10-17 are required to attend with the supervision of a participating adult. This adult is responsible for youth supervision throughout the weekend, as this is not a drop off program. The cost for the full weekend includes two full days of rafting, camping at the ETC basecamp, food, staff, and transportation back to basecamp after each day of rafting.
Tier 1: $595 per person
This fee represents a majority of the per camper cost including food, staff, lodging, insurance, and program supplies. The full fee has been partially subsidized by DYF in order to bring costs down for participants and make programs more accessible.
Tier 2: $450 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Adult Retreat
Adult Retreat (Ages 18+) is a weekend packed with outdoor adventure, engaging workshops, and incredible people!
Registration deadline is July 23rd!
Date: July 25-27
Location: Bearskin Meadow Camp
The Adult Retreat is for ages 18 and up, this weekend program will re-invigorate you, connect you with other T1D adults, and allow you to brush up your diabetes management skills. Mornings are spent in diabetes education sessions in important topics of thriving with diabetes ranging from pregnancy to drugs & alcohol to new technology and everything in between. Afternoons and evenings are spent enjoying nearby Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, participating in traditional camp activities, and enjoying group meals together.
Expect to be in a space of camaraderie, support, education, and fun for adults (18+) with type 1 diabetes. Support systems are welcome! We encourage spouses, parents, and friends to come along and learn more about T1D.
Tier 1: $595 per person
Tier 2: $450 per person
This is a subsidized rate available to all who find Tier 1 out of reach, no scholarship application needed. This rate is made possible by the generous support of our community. If you’re able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the difference between rates and keep programs accessible to all.
Tier 3: Scholarship Options
Registration for these programs is NOW OPEN and will fill up quickly!
If you have any questions about these programs, please reach out to the DYF Team at info@dyf.org or (925) 680-4994.
For year round diabetes support, check out our community programs page!