Diabetes in children and young people: school and youth camps

DIABETES IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: SCHOOL AND YOUTH CAMPS

The following information is provided for schools and youth groups when they are arranging camps which might include a child with diabetes.
Sometimes a school feels that it cannot take responsibility for a child with diabetes. The following might be helpful to them in making their decision.

Children with diabetes should attend school camps if possible
It is thought to be very desirable that children with diabetes should attend school camps and excursions. Children should not be seen to be handicapped by their condition, they should be able to cope fully with a camp programme, and they should benefit from the programme to the same extent as other children. It may be psychologically damaging for them to be excluded.
In general, children should be able to attend camp when they are reliably independent in their own care of diabetes. This includes an ability to measure an insulin dose accurately, to inject an insulin dose reliably, to carry out urine or blood glucose tests, to recognize the early signs of hypoglycemic reaction and to take sugar when they occur, to estimate their diet in exchanges and to understand the need for taking extra food before increased physical activity, and to have meals and snacks on time.
In some circumstances a parent might accompany the staff of the camp to assist with the child who is not fully independent, or the staff of a camp might take special responsibilities if a child is not reliably independent. This is to be encouraged if the child requires it, but discouraged if the child is reliable without special supervision.

The child needs to take equipment
A child will take adequate supplies of insulin, disposable syringes, blood testing equipment and glucose or suitable sugar products to prevent or treat an insulin reaction. Whether the child keeps these in his possession or hands them to the teacher should be by mutual agreement between parents, child and teacher. In many instances, it would be most appropriate for the child to keep his own insulin and syringes to save embarrassment and because of the self reliance which most children with diabetes develop. It is essential that blood testing strips and sugar should be kept by the child to be available when needed.

Others should know he has diabetes
It is desirable that a child's friends should be aware of4 his diabetes, both to give moral support if needed, to save embarrassment at blood testing and insulin giving times, and to give appropriate help if needed, should the child have a hypo reaction. Children in the same bedroom or tent should all be aware of a child's diabetes, but it is undesirable to inform all the camp group in most instances, as this may cause undue attention to be placed on the child with diabetes.

No special privileges but some spare time
In general, a child can undertake all camp duties and activities. He should however have some free time before breakfast and before the evening meal for blood testing and insulin injections and before bed for blood testing. It may be necessary to provide some private place for a child to give his insulin, but many children give it in the sleeping quarters without embarrassment in front of children.

Meals are important
Mealtimes should be adhered to as strictly as possible. If a meal is delayed, a child should have access to food, (e.g. fruit, biscuits, fruit juice) at the normal mealtime while they wait for the meal. A child with diabetes should be permitted to take extra food at odd times before extra physical activities to prevent insulin hypoglycemic reactions. On any excursion beyond the camp site, a child must take some food or confectionery.
A school camp might be considered unsuitable for someone with diabetes if the child was totally inaccessible to medical aid in the event of an emergency. In such cases a responsible school friend or teacher could be shown emergency procedures to ensure a child's safety.

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DIABETES

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