Camp Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Camp Registration
How do I sign my child up?
Click here to register. You will need to register online first. We must receive a completed health form by your child’s health care provider along with a completed insulin detail form for your child. If you need financial assistance, we must receive the Summer Food Service Program form before we can award any financial aid. Once we have received your $50 deposit, your child’s spot will be held.
Who can attend camp?
Children with diabetes who are between the ages of 7-15 years old can attend overnight camp. Children with diabetes who are between the ages of 5-7 years old can attend day camp.
What is the difference between overnight and day camp?
At overnight camp, campers check in on Sunday and check out on Saturday, will spend the night, participate in all camp activities, must be between the ages of 7-15 years old, and experience the full camp. At day camp, campers are dropped off at 9 a.m. and picked up at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, experience a majority of the camp activities, and are between the ages of 5-7 years old.
My child is over 7 years old, can s/he attend day camp?
No. Day camp is geared toward younger children.
Do you have to have diabetes to be a camper?
Yes. All campers share that in common.
Do you have to have diabetes to be a staff member?
No. Majority of our staff do have diabetes (many who were former campers, junior counselors, and have grown up at camp.) However, it is not a requirement to work at camp.
What completed paperwork is required before I can come to camp?
Online registration, health form completed by a health care provider, insulin detail. If financial aid is requested: we must receive financial aid request form and summer food service program form.
Is there any financial assistance for camp?
Yes. It is the Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana’s policy that every child has the opportunity to attend camp regardless of ability to pay. We have camperships available to those families in need. Camperships are awarded based on a first come first serve basis and are based on need of family.
Is there a fundraiser I can do to help raise money for camper fees?
Contact Jenna White, dyfjenna@gmail.com, if you are interested in this portion.
When do fees have to be paid by? Will I get a refund if something happens?
Fees must be paid in full prior to check in. If you need to make arrangements to make payments, please contact Emily Butera at dyfiemily@gmail.com. Refund policy: If you need to cancel your registration, you will receive your refund minus the $50 deposit.
If I would like to donate to help another camper come, how would I do that?
You can either include additional payment with a note on your form: Additional Amount To Fund Another Child or you can contact Jenna White at dyfjenna@gmail.com or 317-750-9310 to help fund additional campers; giving them an opportunity to come to camp!
Can I volunteer at camp?
We are always in need of volunteers. Our volunteers at camp consist primarily of medical staff. If you are a physician, RN, CDE, RD, or medical student in rotations and interested in volunteering for a week during camp, please contact Jenna White at dyfjenna@gmail.com. All staff and volunteers do undergo screening and background checks. Outside of camp, we need volunteers to help with camp prep, camp closing, events, donations, etc. For more information or to contact us, please click on our Volunteer Page.
Camp Prep
What donations could I bring to camp?
Check out our list of supplies on our Donation Page for more information on current needs.
What activities are at camp?
Activities include: swimming, paintball, challenge courses, arts & crafts, nature center, diabetes education, archery, campfires, cabin activities, evening activities, and more! Everyone has access to the shallow end of the pool; campers must complete a swim test before being allowed in the deep end or off of the diving board. The swim test includes swimming the width of the pool without touching and treading water for 60 seconds in the deep end. Campers under 10 years old will be able to participate in target practice during paintball; campers 10 or older will be able to play in the paintball games. Our challenge course instructors closely monitor participation and skills before allowing campers up in the high ropes course. The youngest campers may only zip line depending on size and skill set. All other activities are open to all campers unless specified by the parent in the application.
What is a typical day at camp?
Campers wake up and check blood sugars between 7 a.m. 7:20 a.m. Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. After breakfast, campers will swim, participate in nature and science activities, diabetes ed activities, arts & crafts, and cabin activities. Lunch is at 12:15 p.m. as well as an afternoon snack at 3:15 p.m. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. followed by evening activity and campfire. Older campers will then have activities while younger campers shower. Younger campers are in bed by 9:30 p.m. and older campers then shower. Blood glucose checks are before every meal and snack as well as throughout the day and night as campers feel high or low and/or want to check. Night checks happen at midnight and 2 a.m. Every group will have a day of high and low rope challenge courses.
What do I need to pack for camp?
What diabetes supplies should I bring?
Pump and CGM supplies. We provide all insulin, meters, lancing devices, ketone strips, low treatments, alcohol swabs, needles, etc. If your child is on a pump or uses a CGM, you must bring cartridges, sites, tape/ tegaderm, inserter, batteries, charging cord, and any other supplies your specific pump requires. Also, remember to bring extra (due to increase water activity, sweating, etc.)
Can my child wear his/her CGM at camp?
Yes. We encourage the use of CGMs during camp. You and your camper are also welcome to make the decision if he/she would not like to wear a CGM during camp.
How are cabins assigned?
Cabins are assigned based on gender, age, and requests. Girls and boys are separate. Each cabin has 2 counselors and 2 medical staff and up to 8 campers.
Can I request cabin mates?
Yes. On the online registration, there is a space you can request cabin mates. Please keep in mind that we will do our best to accommodate all requests; however, be cognoscente that sometimes there are multiple requests for the same person and sometimes ages of campers are too large of a gap. Cabin mates include campers, not staff. Although we will make every effort to honor all cabin mate requests, please note that there may be other factors preventing two campers to be in the same cabin: ie large age gap, other requests, etc. Requests are filled on a first come first serve basis in rare cases that cabins become full.
How do I get to camp?
We are located off of Hinkle Road. If you gps using Google Maps, it should lead you to us. If you use Apple Maps or another service, you may end up on Little Chicago Road. See directions here.
How do I know what time to arrive at camp?
Camp check in times are assigned based on your registration date. You will receive an email letting you know what time your child is able to check in on that Sunday. If you arrive prior to your time, you will not be able to check in or set up in the cabin. This is to help the flow of check in. If you arrive after your assigned check in time, you will check in as normal.
What should I do when I arrive at camp for check in?
When you arrive, make sure to drive slow (10 mph or slower.) You will be greeted by staff who will show you where to park. Take all pump and CGM supplies, additional medications, and any paperwork with you to the craft shelter. (You can bring all camper items at this time if you would like.) From there you will check in and receive a name tag. You will then enter the craft shelter and check in with your medical staff (signs will show you where) and cabin dietician. After you have checked in, you will have a junior counselor to help you locate your cabin and help carry items. You will meet the counselor at your child’s cabin.
If I can’t pick up my child, can someone else?
Yes. However, you must fill out and sign a permission form at check in.
Can I drop off late or pick up early?
Check in is from 1:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m on Sunday. Check out begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. However, we have made exceptions on a case by case basis. Please contact Emily Butera at dyfiemily@gmail.com for any exceptions.
While at Camp
Who should I call if I have any questions while my child is at camp?
Contact Jenna White at 317-750-9310 or at dyfjenna@gmail.com.
What happens if my child wets the bed? Accidents happen. Our staff are trained on how to handle these situations discreetly. If your child wets the bed frequently, you may consider bringing an additional set of bedding and pull ups. Also, when choosing a bunk, please choose a bottom bunk.Â
Is there medical staff at camp? Will I be notified of illness or injury? We do have a fully staffed medical team that includes physicians, nurses, and dieticians. Additionally, we have medical staff in the cabins. If your child is becomes ill or injured and requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid, parents will be contacted by phone call.
How can I communicate with my child during camp? You can sign up for bunk1 email (you will receive information during check in.) You may also send mail to your child at camp to DYFI Camp, Attn: (Child’s Name), 5050 East 211th Street, Noblesville, IN 46062. We encourage parents to send positive notes: How is camp? Learn any new activities? Make any new friends? We strongly suggest refraining from profanity and inappropriate talk. Sometimes, we see homesickness form after a note from home stating how much the child is missed and how hard it is to be without that child at home or how much the child is missing at home. Be sure to send paper, envelopes, and stamps for your child to respond with. (Addressing the envelopes ahead of time usually help ensure proper delivery.) Also, be aware that mailed letters usually take 1-2 days to reach us. We usually do not receive mail until midday.
What happens in inclement weather? We are constantly monitoring weather 24/7 tracking all storms. Our staff are all trained for inclement weather. Every week the campers practice fire and tornado drills. We will keep everyone updated via Facebook: www.facebook.com/dyfofi. In the case of any emergencies, etc. we will notify parents as soon as possible.
What is the check out process? Check out begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Campers will be assigned check out times and can be picked up at the craft shelter. You must check out with the counselor as well as the medical staff. Parents must show a photo id to be able to pick up their children. Any authorized persons to pick up must be up to date on UltraCamp. You will receive access to your child’s blood glucose numbers & insulin changes/ details, any unused pump supplies, medicine, and any extra insulin your child used at camp. Please check lost and found prior to leaving to ensure you leave with all of your child’s items. Items will be held for 10 days before being tossed or donated.Â
Post Camp
What if my child forgets something at camp? Please be sure to check our campfire stage, the laundry back line, and ask your camper before leaving to double check you have not forgotten anything. If you have forgotten something, you can email dyfjenna@gmail.com. We will do our best to locate missing items; however, many times it is too late. Unclaimed items left at camp will be tossed or donated 10 days after the session ends.
How do I keep in contact with friends made at camp? Be sure to get contact info from the families before leaving. Something to consider is sending a notebook with your child to collect names and contact information.
Are there any other events or camps outside of June? Yes. We have Ambassadors, teen camp, family camp, various outreach events, and fundraisers. Click here for more information on our upcoming events.
How can I help DYFI? Want to get involved? We need donations, volunteers, fundraising help, and more! Click here for more information.
Family Camp
Who can attend?
Any child with diabetes and their family. Family is considered parents, grandparents, extended family, cousins, friends, etc.
What activities are at family camp?
We plan activities based off the age group of families who sign up. However, some activities have included scavenger hunts, ask an endo sections, crafts, family challenges, archery, and much more!
Who staffs family camp?
Family camp is a chance to meet many of our summer camp staff including our Program Director, Camp Director, instructors, and counselors. We do not have medical coverage during family camp as each family is responsible for their child’s diabetes management.
What should I pack?
Clothes, closed toe shoes, toiletries, twin bedding or sleeping bag, pillow, bug spray (optional), flashlight (optional), diabetes supplies, sunscreen (optional), and any other medicines. All food, snacks, and drinks are provided.
Should I bring diabetes supplies?
Yes. We will have kits available with our staff including meters, glucose tabs, etc for lows while the campers are separate from parents.
What is the sleeping arrangement?
Each family gets a cabin. In the event that two families would like to reside in the same cabin, both families would need to consent ahead of time. Each cabin sleeps 10 people. The beds are twin bunk beds.
Are pets allowed?
No. Please leave all pets at home.
Is food provided?
Yes. The meals and snacks include: afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack on Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. You are more than welcome to bring additional food if you would like.
Does an adult have to be present with each family?
Yes. At least one adult must be present with each family.
Do I need a waiver?
Yes. Waivers are sent out ahead of time. Also, we will have waivers available on site during check in. If you are bringing a child who is under 18 and are not the parent or guardian for said child, his or her parent/ guardian must sign ahead of time.
Will I receive a confirmation email?
Yes. You will receive information on times and packing list along with confirmation.
Will I meet other families with a T1D child my child’s age?
While we cannot guarantee ages of campers, usually there are campers with T1D around the same age group.
How do I get to camp?
We are located off of Hinkle Road. If you gps using Google Maps, it should lead you to us. If you use Apple Maps or another service, you may end up on Little Chicago Road. See directions on our Contact Us page.
Where should I check in at?
You will check in at the open arts and crafts pavilion directly in front of the parking lot. Please drive slow as soon as you arrive on camp property as there are children at play along with wildlife. Park in the parking lot and walk to the open pavilion.
Teen Camp
Who can attend?
Teen camp is for teenagers with diabetes ages 13-19 years old.
What should I pack?
Clothes, closed toe shoes, toiletries, twin bedding or sleeping bag, pillow, bug spray (optional), flashlight (optional), diabetes supplies, sunscreen (optional), and any other medicines. All food, snacks, and drinks are provided.
Should I bring my own diabetes supplies?
Yes. We will have kits available with our staff including meters, glucose tabs, etc for lows.
What activities will there be?
The activities vary from year to year. Activities have included: paintball, team challenges, photo scavenger hunts, topic discussions, zip lining, night hikes, and more!
Can I bring my own paintball gun?
No. All paintball equipment is provided and maintained by the DYFI staff to ensure safety.
Is there medical staff coverage?
Yes. We typically have a doctor and nurse plus cabin medical staff from the summer camp.
Who staffs teen camp?
All of our staff are ACA trained and summer camp staff. They include our camp director, program director, counselors, and instructors.
Can I volunteer with teen camp?
We utilize medical staff volunteers who are doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, or former summer camp medical staff students.
What meals and snacks are provided?
We provide afternoon snacks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening snacks.
How do I get to camp?
We are located off of Hinkle Road. If you gps using Google Maps, it should lead you to us. If you use Apple Maps or another service, you may end up on Little Chicago Road. For directions, click on our Contact Us page.
Do I need a waiver?
Yes. This will be sent out prior to camp. If your teen is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign also.
Where should I go for check-in?
You will check in at the open arts and crafts pavilion directly in front of the parking lot. Please drive slow as soon as you arrive on camp property as there are children at play along with wildlife. Park in the parking lot and walk to the open pavilion.
If I am over 16, with a valid driver’s license, can I drive myself?
Yes. Remember, if you are under 18, you must have a signed waiver by your parent or guardian with you.