Ohio University’s Cat Camp offers children with Type 1 diabetes a supportive community
By: Natalie LaFleur
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Two young campers sit at the front of the room putting on a comedy show, cracking one liners for their audience. For the end of their set, they call up another camper to ask him a riddle about diabetes.
He cracks it with ease, and the crowd erupts with laughter and applause.
The last day of Cat Camp always features a talent show for all campers to show off their talents and hand out awards to their favorite counselors.
Cat Camp in Athens offers summer activities for children ages 8-17 diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The camp provides a safe space for kids to enjoy activities and create a community with fellow children who know what life is like as a diabetic.
“Living in the rural region that we do live in, a lot of kids might not know anybody else that also has Type 1 diabetes,” Cook said. “So, getting to come to a camp, there’s an opportunity for them to meet other kids who also have Type 1 diabetes and know what it’s like day to day.”
“That experience can be really overwhelming to get a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes for the kid, as well as for the family,” Cook said. “So, the community that’s created through our camp is so beneficial to everyone.”
In fact, this community is so important to some that it’s the most exciting part of summer. Natalie Brislin, mother of camper Rocco Brislin, says her son counts the days until camp.
“So, when he gets out of school in the first place, he says I can’t wait to go to CAT Camp because it’s like his favorite thing he does all summer,” Brislin said.
Along with the end-of-week talent show, campers are offered other activities throughout the week, such as a glow party, swimming and ziplining. Campers even took a trip to Ohio University’s esports arena and played video games.
Physicians and other medical professionals are on staff at all times during camp to monitor campers. Patients with Type 1 diabetes require frequent monitoring of blood sugar to ensure it remains in a safe range. In between activities, campers are offered a session with medical staff to ask any questions they may have.
Along with providing services for the campers, medical staff also offer a parent session. Here, parents are free to express any questions or concerns they may have.
Cat Camp not only offers safety and fun for campers and support for parents, but a community where children with the same diagnosis feel less alone. These campers walk away with new friends, new memories and a forever family they call their “dia-buddies.”