The mission of DYF is to improve the quality of life for children, teens and families affected by diabetes. The organization provides education and recreation within a supportive community, encouraging personal growth, knowledge and independence.
Donate to the DYF Scholarship Fund today to SEND A KID TO CAMP!
T1D is a life-changing, traumatic, and expensive diagnosis that plunges families into a maze of medical specialists, disease technology, and worry. Kids with T1D feel isolated. Parents feel overwhelmed. Without strong support and education, life with diabetes is about illness and personal limitations.
That’s why there’s camp.
DYF’s camp programs redirect the focus of life with T1D to care and empowerment. At camp, participants find their community that understands life with diabetes.
We believe ALL kids, teens, and families with T1D deserve to develop courage, competence, and confidence at diabetes camp. There should be no barriers to a child feeling confident in their ability to manage diabetes and every child should feel empowered to live their life to the fullest. To make this possible, we need YOUR support. With a gift this spring, YOU can transform a camper’s relationship with T1D this summer.
Our Programs
DYF serves more than 1,500 individuals annually (children and teens with diabetes, siblings, parents and guardians) through our resident camps and recreation programs. Our most well-known program is our Bearskin Meadow Summer Camp. Bearskin Meadow Camp (BMC) is one of the oldest wilderness camps for youth living with diabetes in the country. In addition to BMC, we also offer CDLN, several weekend family education retreats, and exciting adventure programs such as backpacking and whitewater rafting throughout Northern California.
Click here to see the programs we’re offering in 2025
Stay in the Loop – Join our Email List!
Get notified about 2025 programs, receive updates, and opportunities to get involved!
Community Programs
Check out our free in-person and virtual community programs!
Brave Buddies is an online support group for parents of children with type 1 diabetes. While most members primarily live in the San Francisco Bay Area (including South Bay, East Bay, North Bay/Marin, East Bay/Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and surrounding areas), the group is open to parents in any geographic region.
The focus on Brave Buddies is sharing practical information related to our day-to-day lives with T1D. We try to keep email on-topic so that the list remains useful. Typical topics could include how to handle school, 504 accommodations, managing sports, useful products, research studies, pumps and CGMs, and diabetes supplies.
Through Brave Buddies and DYF, you will have the opportunity to connect with other parents and families.
Support DYF today!
If you’d like to help make these programs possible, DONATE TODAY! Your gift can help campers with T1D learn that life with diabetes can still be full, healthy, and beautiful!
To donate a gift of stock, please contact DYF’s Director of Development & Communications, Marissa Clarke-Howard by email at clarke-howard@dyf.org or call the DYF office at (925) 680-4994 ext. 107.
Questions regarding planned giving; gifts of IRA minimum distributions, stock, or donor-advised funds; in-kind donations; sponsorships; recurring gifts; gifts of honor; matching gift programs; or DIY fundraising can all be directed to DYF’s Director of Development & Communications, Marissa Clarke-Howard by email at Clarke-howard@dyf.org or by phone at (925) 680-4994 ext. 107. (Tax ID#94-6003673)