Podcast Summary

Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Episode: Why Diabetes Camp Matters More Than Ever: A Conversation with DECA’s Lisa Gier
Host: Stacey Simms
Guest: Lisa Geer, Executive Director of Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA)
Release Date: June 5, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into the transformative impact of diabetes camps for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), exploring how these camps foster independence, community, and lifelong support. Stacey Simms welcomes Lisa Geer, the executive director of the Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA), who shares her personal and professional perspectives—having both lived with T1D and sent her own son to diabetes camp. The conversation covers DECA’s mission, the evolving landscape of diabetes camps (including technology and mental health support), and practical advice for parents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is DECA? (04:04–04:29)

• Lisa Geer explains DECA’s role:
  • DECA is an umbrella network that supports independent diabetes camps by identifying common needs and finding solutions.
  • Focuses on enabling camps to concentrate their resources on serving their unique communities.

2. Lisa’s Camp Experience and Its Lasting Impact (04:29–06:12)

• Lisa attended the same Idaho diabetes camp that her son now attends.
• She recalls being nervous before going but didn’t want to leave at the end of the week.
• Learned self-reliance, including giving herself her first insulin injection guided by her cabin nurse:

  "I remember where she taught me to give my first insulin injection, actually, which was right out in front of Patterson cabin... And that hugely changed my life and was kind of my first step in diabetes self reliance." (05:21 – Lisa Geer)

3. The Role and Benefits of Diabetes Camp (06:12–07:46, 10:33–12:03)

• Camps help children with T1D develop independence and manage diabetes in a supportive environment.
• DECA supports nearly 100 member organizations, offering professional and medical leadership conferences, and connecting camps for resource and knowledge sharing.
• Mental Health:
  • Camps produce measurable positive mental health outcomes.

  "The mental health outcomes from people who attend diabetes camp... this is very important. It's important for the kids who attend. It's important for the family unit." (10:59 – Lisa Geer)

4. How Camps Have Changed Over Time (07:46–10:33)

• Traditional camps were remote, week-long, and focused on disconnecting from daily life.
• Now, “camp” means community—offering day camps, family camps, adult camps, and sessions that meet people where they are.
• Modern camps accommodate a wide range of insulin technology, dietary needs, and individual approaches.

5. The Power of Community and Peer Connection (12:03–14:08)

• Children form relationships at camp that carry over into their daily diabetes management:

  "Just knowing that the kids and the camp and the counselors were doing these similar tasks was a comfort to him that I could never have predicted and I could never have supplied myself." (12:44 – Stacey Simms)

• Camp normalizes diabetes and fills emotional gaps parents can't always address alone.

6. Adapting to Technology in Camps (15:33–19:05)

• DECA provides ongoing training on technology advancements (CGMs, pumps, new devices).
• Camps teach “diabetes in the wild”—helping children adapt management routines to active environments, e.g., canoe trips, hot days.
• The balance between tight remote monitoring and allowing kids autonomy is an ongoing discussion:

  "We do want them to be able to be kids. And so we have a lot of those conversations at camp, too. Parent expectations for that I also think is really exciting." (17:50 – Lisa Geer)

7. Remote Monitoring—Parental Anxiety and Camp Policy (19:09–22:36)

• Some camps offer parents contact info for direct updates, but priority is in-person care, not responding quickly to messages.
• Parents’ concerns are valid, but camps continually update policies and support open communication:

  "To take care of your child, I can't engage with you right now, and that might cause you more stress if you're not hearing back from the camp when you're reaching out about blood sugars." (19:43 – Lisa Geer)

• Direct communication with the camp (not just seeking advice in social media groups) is always recommended.

8. Emerging Trends & Evolving Models (22:36–24:46)

• Centralized CGM Monitoring: Nighttime staff monitor blood sugars in real-time, letting cabin counselors and kids sleep without worrying about lows or highs.
• Independence vs. Interdependence:
  • Camps foster self-reliance milestones while emphasizing that asking for help is a strength.

  "You need to be able to be independent in the areas that you can. And also it is a superpower and a super strength to be comfortable asking for help, because none of us have to do this on our own." (23:15 – Lisa Geer)

9. The Personal Connection and Invitation (24:46–26:01)

• Lisa describes the joy of seeing her son thrive at the same camp she attended.
• Camps are eager to answer questions and connect families—encouragement to reach out if unsure about camp participation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the initial nerves and transformation at camp:

  "I remember being very afraid to go... by the end of the week, I did not want to go home." (05:09 – Lisa Geer)

• On the changing definition of ‘camp’:

  "Camp today is kind of more of the phrase ‘community.’ It's trying to meet people with diabetes where they are." (08:27 – Lisa Geer)

• On balancing technology and experience:

  "As much as I would love for my son to be in range 100% of the time... that might be a heart harm to him to feel that." (17:41 – Lisa Geer)

• On the importance of direct communication:

  "If you really want to, the real good, true information about what camps are doing... I would just reach out and ask them." (22:13 – Lisa Geer)

• On the enduring power of camp community for her family:

  "It's absolutely incredible. And he loves it. Absolutely loves everything about it." (24:50 – Lisa Geer)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:04: DECA overview
• 05:08: Lisa’s first camp experience and learning independence
• 06:33: How DECA provides support for camps
• 08:07: Major changes in the model and definition of ‘camp’
• 10:33: Mental health outcomes and “normalcy”
• 12:44: Real-world impact on children’s diabetes attitudes
• 15:33: Handling and teaching diabetes technology at camps
• 19:05: Parental expectations and remote monitoring
• 22:36: Trends—centralized overnight monitoring, fostering independence
• 24:46: Lisa’s perspective as a parent, closing encouragement

Recommendations for Listeners

• Parents or guardians with T1D kids are encouraged to connect directly with their local or chosen camp for specifics and reassurances.
• Camps are adapting rapidly—what was true last year may be different today.
• Mental health, independence, and peer connections are as crucial as good diabetes management.
• Lisa and Stacey both stress: If you have questions—ask your camp, and don’t rely solely on social media anecdotes.

For more diabetes camp resources or to find a camp near you, visit the Diabetes Education and Camping Association website—just search “Find a Camp.”