Can grandparents and other family members attend?
Yes, the family weekends are events designed to include all those
involved in the care of the child with diabetes. Babysitters can also
attend. A day only option is also available for grandparents or teachers
who may not be able to be there the whole weekend.
Will we all be together in the same cabin?
Family weekends are extremely popular events. In order for us
to accommodate the most families in the facilities we divide participants.
We have dad's cabins, mom's cabins, younger boys' cabins and younger girls'
cabins, and so on. Children under 4 stay with one of the parents.
All children are under the supervision of trained counselors who stay with them
and test blood sugars (even at three A.M.) and give their injections.
During the day the toddlers join the other children in the activities and have
an opportunity to participate in programs set up for their age. The
opportunity of the parents to stay up and interact with other parents and share
experiences has become one of the most positive feedbacks we get in our post
event evaluations.
Are there indoor bathrooms and air conditioning/heat
in the cabins?
Yes, the cabins have all indoor facilities and are climate controlled
at all the camps we use for these events. Participants must provide their
own linens (twin size bed) and bath towels as well as toiletries for the
weekend.
Can we drop off the child for the weekend if we
can't be there?
No, the family weekends are intended as an event for at least one child and one
adult (parent or grandparent). We offer weekend events for the child with
diabetes and a friend or relative or our summer camp programs for just the child
with diabetes.
Do we need to bring our own diabetes supplies and
snacks?
We provide all meals and snacks as well as all testing equipment and diabetes
supplies for the weekend. If your child is on the insulin pump you will
need to bring one or two infusion sets in case that needs to be changed over the
weekend.
Who will be speaking to us at a family weekend?
The speakers will be pediatric endocrinologists, diabetes educators,
dietitians, mental health professionals and other educators. A pediatric
endocrinologist and nurse spend the entire weekend with us and are available for
informal conversation.
