Family Retreat DETAILS
RETREAT DATES: Friday, October 18 - Sunday, October 20, 2024
LOCATION: YMCA Camp Hanes, King, NC
AGES: Our Fall Family Retreat is for EVERYONE! From infants to grandparents, we’d love to see you there!
REGISTRATION: Opens in August
COST: To be determined
DESCRIPTION: Diabetes can have an impact on every member of the family. Regardless of where you and your family are in your diabetes journey, living with type 1 diabetes presents new challenges and questions every single day. Our Weekend Family Retreats bring together a DREAM TEAM of T1D experts from across the Carolinas to spend an entire weekend with your family and the type 1 community.
Parents/Guardians/Adults have the opportunity to sit in on a wide variety of education sessions throughout the weekend, while kids get the chance to take part in traditional camp activities. Families will have the opportunity to learn from one another, connect with other families navigating the ups and downs of diabetes, and have A LOT of fun!
We’ve handpicked the best of the best staff to provide a FUN and SAFE weekend for your family. Nearly every member of our team is living and thriving with type 1 - including our medical educators!
LODGING: Families will share comfortable cabins equipped with full restroom and shower facilities.
**For information on our TEEN RETREAT CLICK HERE**
Hear what our families have to say:
“As a newly diagnosed family this weekend helped us to learn that we are not alone and that our kids are going to grow up and be ok. There will be some bumps in the road but basically they can do whatever they want. It also taught us to let go a little. For my son who is super active and loves the outdoors it was a great way for him to connect with peers and role models in a setting that he loves. You can't beat hanging out in the mountains in an incredible setting. We learned just enough information and had a fun time doing it.”
-Stephanie and Ryan, Fall Family Retreat Participants
Activities During the Weekend
FOR KIDS: Kids will be assigned to groups according to their grade in school. Under the supervision of counselors trained in diabetes management (most of whom are living with type 1 diabetes themselves), kids groups will rotate through multiple age-appropriate activities such as: zip lining; arts & crafts; a climbing tower; nature hikes; canoeing; sports & games, and more.
FOR PARENTS/ADULTS: Throughout the weekend, adults will have the opportunity to participate in various education sessions tailored to meet the range of experience levels. From families that have just received news of diagnosis to families who have been managing diabetes for years. Topics will include:
Cutting edge technology for diabetes management (Pumps; CGMs; Artificial Pancreas)
Psychosocial impact of diabetes (self-care tips for T1D caregivers; age appropriate expectations/teen issues; navigating sibling relationships; addressing challenges that T1D presents in marriage; etc)
Beginner basics in diabetes management (carb counting; sick day plans and understanding ketones; intro to pumps & CGMs)
Navigating diabetes issues in the school system
Much, much more
FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: There will be multiple opportunities throughout the weekend for participants to partake in various activities together as a family. Additionally, all meals will be eaten together as an entire community.
