Prepping for takeoff with T1D: Tips for sending kids to camp

As a self-proclaimed space nerd — and now, aerospace engineer — it's probably not that surprising that I spent a week at Space Camp as a kid. Truth be told, it was one of the best experiences of my life, even with type 1 diabetes (T1D) onboard. It forced me to take control of my diabetes management needs, taught me how to integrate myself into a team and imprinted memories and experiences that I will never forget.

Now that I'm a parent myself, thinking about sending kids to camp gives me a flutter of anxiety. I don't know how my parents kept calm in the days before continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and smartphones!

Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can set your child up for a successful camp experience if they live with diabetes. Research, preparation and practice will ensure they make lasting memories and have a ton of fun. Here are four tips for preparing them for takeoff.

1. Do your research

When selecting a camp for your child with T1D, it's a good idea to do some due diligence. Consider researching the following:

• Does the camp have a 24/7 nurse on-site?
• Will the campers' meals happen at approximately the same time each day, and is there a menu to preview?
• What type of activities will the campers participate in? Will any activities restrict kids with T1D (i.e. scuba diving or cooking class)?
• How familiar are the counselors with special medical conditions like T1D? Are there already processes in place to accommodate campers with diabetes?
• If the camp includes hiking/outdoor time, do the counselors carry first aid supplies and snacks? Would they be open to carrying special equipment for a camper with T1D?
• Are the counselors equipped with phones or other means to contact the nurse in case of an emergency?

2. Simulate the environment

At NASA, we prepare for missions by conducting simulations. This is a great way for both you and your child with diabetes to prepare for summer camp! Depending on your child's age, this could take the form of anything from discussing their diabetes symptoms to instructing them on how to give themselves insulin injections or make small correction decisions.

If your child is younger, start by simply asking how they feel when their blood sugar is low. If they can identify and describe their "low" symptoms, you can teach them to ask for a juice box or another low recovery snack. With older kids, engage in conversations about what they feel comfortable doing on their own — and see if they are willing to step outside their comfort zone a bit. Without forcing anything, explain that the more management needs they can handle, the less time they will have to spend at the nurse's station.

Ultimately, a sleepover is a good dress rehearsal analog for summer camp. As your child heads off to their friend's house, make sure the host parent is equipped to handle any issues. This may cause you to worry a bit, but try to stay as hands-off as possible. It's good training for you, too!

3. Pack up the necessary supplies

In addition to that polka dot swimsuit and sunscreen, you should focus on packing the supplies your child will need to manage their T1D while at summer camp. In addition to the following items, make sure to pack plenty of backups:

• Easy-to-understand instructions for the camp nurse (consider organizing by time of day and including insulin dosing or ratio equations)
• List of important phone numbers to contact in emergencies (in addition to your information, you can include their endocrinologist)
• Your child's medical ID bracelet or necklace
• Extra nominal supplies to help your child address any unplanned needs
• Extra testing and delivery supplies (such as a blood glucose test kit in case of CGM failure or insulin pens/syringes in case of pump failure)
• Another set of instructions for using the backup supplies

4. Communicate with the counselors

That week at Space Camp made such an impact that I became a counselor during college (where I ended up meeting my future husband)! As a counselor with my own chronic medical condition, I made it my mission to seek out campers with special medical situations and do everything I could to make them — and their parents — feel comfortable.

I always appreciated the parents who took the time to talk with me during check-in. I made sure to discuss any last-minute questions they had and asked for special tips around their child's medical needs. The more information I received, the better I felt — I was with many of the campers for 16 hours a day, and at night I slept in one of the girls' bunk rooms as a resident assistant.

As a parent now, I feel like this face time with the counselor would be important for my own sanity! Don't hesitate to communicate with your child's counselor and give them all the information you think they need. No detail is too small when it comes to T1D.

Sending kids to camp is a great opportunity for them to have new adventures and lean into their independence. When diabetes is folded in, the experience can be even more powerful. A few nights away at summer camp can help them feel more confident and capable of managing, living and thriving with this condition.

Interested in other tips for approaching your child's type 1 diabetes? Check out the library of informative and educational materials on the Edgepark website.