Baking, Fishing, and the Cutest Kids

When I got a phone call from a previous camper I played with as a diabetes camp counselor, I was reminded again of how important adolescent-adult relationships can be. I answered my phone to hear the young camper tell me about her new boyfriend, her silly summer, and most adorably, how she requested to have me be her pal at camp this upcoming January =). While weeks had gone by without my personal reflection upon camp, I truthfully felt guilty to know how much she was thinking about it and how thrilled she was.

So I fell back into my memories as a camper. I can still name of the first (and last names) of each of my camp counselors, what they looked like, their goofy laughs, and especially the crazy times we had. From a primary perspective, I know how much children look up to counselors, and older "friend-figures" as teachers and and almost flawless examples. Within hours of being around our campers, I've seen the shiest of children hanging off of our shoulders and tugging our arms all over camp. Now, still six months away, I am feeling a serious excitement to be back at camp with all the children that we love and know, as well as ready to take on meeting an entirely new group of shy kids.

I am really interested in diabetes education, with a specific interest in Type II diabetes. So, after calling around this morning between classes, I found myself a niche of Chicago camps I will become involved with both as a counselor and medical volunteer. Anyone interested in becoming involved, please let me know--I can forward your application or you contact these local diabetes camps yourself:



http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-granada.jsp

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-can-do.jsp

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-confidence.jsp

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-discovery-il.jsp

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-teen-adventure.jsp

http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-camp/about-ada-camp-triangle-d.jsp