When:

Registration for 2023 programs will open on January 10th, 2023 at 9:00am PST. The schedule is available here. Most programs will remain open until filled and while some programs fill more quickly than others we typically have some spaces for summer programs remaining through May. We also utilize a wait list that we encourage people to apply to since we have frequent enrollment changes.

Specialized programs that require a pre-acceptance interview will have a registration window of January 10-31st, 2023. These programs include LIT I and II, Teen Backpacking program, and Teen Multi-Sport Adventure program. We will extend the registration window for any program that does not fill to capacity during this time.

How:

DYF utilizes a secure online registration and form collection system called CampInTouch. With the click of a button, you will be able to register for programs, fill out forms, submit payments, and access helpful information. Your information will be saved year over year so that you’ll only need to update and confirm basic information each year! To register for our programs simply click here.

A cancellation at least 30 days prior to the start of your camp program will result in a full refund minus the $50 non-refundable deposit and applicable processing fees. We are unable to refund camp fees within the 30 days prior to camp, as we have already done the staff hiring and purchasing of program supplies, food, etc. needed for your camper(s) to attend.

Should cancellation occur by DYF or by families within 10 days of the program start date for reasons relating to COVID-19, fees will not be refunded and instead transferred for credit to a future program.

We strongly encourage all participants to purchase the 3rd party insurance package described here to protect your registration fees should you need to cancel within 30 days of the start of your camp program. You can purchase the insurance package at the time of registration or online. 

A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for program registration. If you are applying for a scholarship, the deposit is waived and no money is due at time of registration.

Yes! We offer a Buddy Camp at Bearskin Meadow for ages 7-15 where your child with T1D may bring a buddy to share the camp experience.

Yes! Campers are welcome to register for more than one program this summer.

DYF offers the option to spread out your camp payment through June or December with an interest-free payment plan. We require a valid credit card or EFT through your bank.  The full payment must be paid by December 5th of the current year. Installments will begin upon registration and credit cards will be processed at the beginning of every month until your fees have been paid in full. All invoices will be sent electronically via e-mail.

When an enrollment capacity is reached for each program, a waitlist will automatically generate. We encourage families to apply to the waitlist, as additional spaces may be released when cancellations occur and on the days following scholarship review. At this point, participants from the waitlist will be automatically enrolled based on availability. Applicants will be notified via email about any changes in registration status. 

We are proud to offer a three-tiered pricing model for our programs, all of which result in the same impactful program experience. As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, we work hard to keep our costs low and to make our programs accessible to everyone, regardless of income. We fundraise over 1.5 million dollars each year through private donations, events, and grants in order to support our efforts to allow more children and families to experience our programs.

• Tier 1 pricing fully covers the expenses of your family’s experience at the program, including a highly-skilled medical team, qualified staff, program supplies, and facility maintenance. Please consider supporting DYF by selecting Tier 1.
• Tier 2 pricing represents a partially subsidized rate that is available to all families regardless of income level.
• Tier 3 is our scholarship program, which is available at all programs. If you have questions or concerns about the cost of camp or our pricing model, please give us a call at (925) 680-4994 so that we can provide assistance and get your family to camp.

DYF provides one of the best educational and diabetes support programs in the country. This involves significant investments in staff training and diabetes education, participant safety, psycho-social issues, working effectively with children, recreational fun, and an administrative system that ensures that all regulations and requirements working with children are met. DYF owns and operates its own facility, Bearskin Meadow Camp, which is accredited by the American Camp Association and requires meeting over 360 standards for fun, safe, and effective programs.

Yes! DYF is so happy to be able to offer families the opportunity to fundraise to offset their personal fees, or to bridge the gap between Tier 1 and Tier 2 pricing. Begin your fundraising efforts as soon as you have registered online and have a confirmed space at camp.

Important Details:

• Fundraising pages will close on 8/31/22. After that point, any account balance will automatically be placed on a payment plan through December if you have not reached the program’s fee by the deadline.
• No monies raised will be refunded or transferred to a future year should you cancel/not attend.
• Contributions to fundraisers for a specific camper are NOT tax-deductible, as they represent a fee for service.

Click here to create your page and send the link to friends, families, and others asking them to support diabetes camp.  All the money raised through your page is applied to your program fees!

By sharing your family’s experience at our programs and spreading the word about us, our hope is that more families will join DYF in helping to close the funding gap so that we can continue to offer a three-tiered pricing model and provide scholarship support to those who need financial assistance. DYF has a number of ways families can help support our programs. Whether you choose to make a tax-deductible donation online, attend a fundraising event, create your own fundraising event, or have connections to business and community members that can help DYF, support is valued and important. Help us to continue to provide life-changing programs to our T1D community. For more information on how you can help, contact our Senior Manager of Development and Communications, Marissa Clarke-Howard by email or call us at the office at 925-680-4994.

Yes please! We believe ALL kids with T1D deserve to experience the magic and impact of diabetes camp! Please consider making a donation to DYF’s Scholarship Fund and help another child get to camp this summer. Donate Online and give the gift of camp today.

Scholarships are available for all 2022 DYF programs and the application is part of the general camper application. Learn more about eligibility by reviewing our scholarship information.

Scholarship applications will be reviewed by our committee on a weekly basis beginning in February.  Families will be notified via email upon completion of review. 

Should you not be awarded with the full scholarship request we will reach out to you and talk through options including  fundraising the remainder of your camp fee, starting an interest-free payment plan, finding a sponsor, switching to a less costly program, or at a last resort, canceling your registration. 

We offer lots of fun activities at all of our programs! Details vary slightly depending on the camp’s location, focus, and age range. You can learn more about each program here.  

Staff and volunteers come to us from all over the country. They include teachers, college students, recent high school graduates, psychologists, pediatric endocrinologists, residents, interns, and nurses. About 70% of the staff and volunteers have diabetes while the other 30% has experience in diabetes through friends and/or family. All counseling and program staff at summer programs undergo an intensive training that focuses on everything from child development to conflict resolution to program leadership to diabetes “tricks of the trade.” Our staff and volunteers are highly dedicated to our participants, with many of them being past campers and having grown up coming to DYF programs. They will make every effort to ensure that your child has an incredible, exciting, and memorable experience.

Yes! Bearskin Meadow Camp undergoes a rigorous accreditation process of over 300 standards set by the American Camp Association to ensure that we are complying with health, safety, and program standards.

While our other programs are not officially accredited by American Camp Association we utilize the same safe methods and policies across all of our programs.

DYF is also a founding member of the Diabetes Education & Camping Association which brings diabetes camps from around the United States together to share best practices and learn from one another.

Our average staff to camper ratio is 1:3

Camp provides a majority of diabetes supplies. Please consult your packing list for specific information and feel free to give us a call if you have specific questions.

Currently we do not allow cell phones at independent camps (where kids and teens come without their parents) Please review our Cell Phone Policy from 2021 for more detailed information and note that this policy may be updated for the 2022 season.

Please note that there is no cell service and very limited internet access at Bearskin Meadow Camp.

We ask that you please do not bring any of your own food or drinks unless you have already spoken with the Camp Director and made a special arrangement. Due to a wide variety of food allergies we must be careful about what food products are on camp. We also have lots of friendly critters in our forested environment and additional food attracts them onto living areas. We will have lots of food served at camp, and our kitchen is always happy to provide snacks (carb-free or carb-full based on time of day and request).

Missing home is a normal part of summer camp whether a camper is new or returning. Children who call their parents when they are severely missing home tend to exhibit increased upset and anxiety and therefore under most circumstances, we do not allow children to call home during camp. Counselors are trained to deal with missing home by engaging children in favorite activities, writing letters home, and talking about their feelings. If your child continues to exhibit signs missing of home, a call will be placed to you by a staff member and appropriate steps will be taken in partnership with you, the parent.

While your child is at camp they will be introduced to new routines and experiences. We will work with your child to make them feel comfortable with the new routine. We believe that change in routine is a great skill for campers with diabetes to learn as they go from school, to summer, back to school and in all of life’s adventures. You may find that your child’s blood sugars may run lower or higher at camp than they do at home due to many variables including change in altitude, exercise, wake-up and bed-times, and generally being in a new environment with new people. We will be closely monitoring your child throughout the week. Your child is free to check their blood sugar at additional times whenever they feel the need or would like to.

We are excited to welcome the new changes and advancements in diabetes tech! Please read our Diabetes Technology Guidelines from 2021 so that you and your child know what to expect at camp. This document will be updated for the 2022 season to reflect the most current technologies. 

At Independent Camps, counselors will check every camper’s blood sugar every night between midnight and 1am. They will dose or feed as appropriate to ensure campers are at a safe range overnight.

We do our very best to post regular updates and photos to our Facebook and Instagram accounts, but please be patient with us as the internet capabilities in the mountains are poor and it takes a lot of time to upload a single image.