Camp Staff Opportunities
Camp is just around the corner!!!
Download a staff application form
The Diabetes Society needs you as camp staff for our one-week resident camping programs for children ages 6 to 13 and teens ages 13 to 17 with diabetes. Continuing Education Units are available.
We are now recruiting staff members for the following positions:
You will not be disappointed in the camp experience you choose, whether it be at one our many seaside locations or in a setting adjacent to a scenic lake or mountain range. In the unique campsite you select, you will have hands-on experience implementing diabetes management strategies as you learn them. There are also a wide range of challenging and fun activities for all to enjoy. Follow your interests to water sports such as snorkeling, sea kayaking or just enjoy the beach. If the mountains appeal to you, backpacking, hiking and rock climbing experiences await you.
Hopefully, you can join us for another exciting summer session! This year we have even more camps and opportunities for professionals and students to participate. Come to the camp with a medical team that works together to meet the needs of young children with diabetes.
Application is preferred at least 60 days in advance of the selected camp session start date.
Cruise Camp Staff Applicants: Carnival Cruiselines requires our Cruise Camp staff to be at least 25 years old. We encourage physicians, psychologists, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, and other medical personnel with experience in managing type 1 diabetes to apply as Cruise Camp staff. If you are between 18 and 25 and are not a health care professional, we encourage you to apply as a Counselor at one of our other resident, day or family camp programs. We look forward to working with you!
For more information, please contact Katherine at (408) 207-0123 or Kat
diabetessociety.org
Camp Physicians
Download a staff application form
Arrival Day
- Review medical information on campers of concern selected by the Medical Coordinator, if applicable.
- Be available to answer questions of parents dropping off their children.
- Assist Medical Coordinator in setting up the Health Cabin and orienting nursing staff (at Camp DJ, Larry L. Hillblom Camp, or Camp De Los Niños only).
During Camp
- Oversee and advise nursing staff on insulin dose adjustments during testing times.
- Interact with campers during mealtimes and assigned activities.
- Participate in staff education and chart reviews at designated times.
- Assist in maintaining health cottage coverage according to assigned schedules. (At Cruise Camp, rather than having staff assigned to a health cottage, a roving medical resource person and schedule will be used. This person will have the daily log sheets and access to needed supplies.)
- Sleep in Health Cabin in rotation to cover any emergencies.
- Anticipate providing an education session during at least one day to campers on topics such as research or insulin adjusting (45min).
- Consult with team nurses on an as needed basis.
- Assist with health cottage coverage in rotation schedule.
- Assist in 2am testing, in teams of two, in rotation.
Following Camp
- Review and sign the nursing staff Camp Summary that will be provided to the parents.
- Share information with camper's physician when appropriate.
- Provide suggestions to Medical Coordinator and/or Camp Director on possible ways to improve procedures for diabetes management at camp.
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Camp Nurses
Download a staff application form
Nurses will have an ideal opportunity to update their skills in pediatric diabetes management during summer break, in fun new ways and in beautiful locations. We provide 10 Continuing Education Units and stipends to nurses.
Overview
- Assist campers and counselors with daily pre-meal blood glucose monitoring.
- Help campers make insulin dose adjustments as needed after consulting with camp physician.
- Meet daily with medical staff for education and chart reviews.
- Consult with Camp Physician and Medical Coordinator as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Review training manual and attend scheduled orientation.
- Assist with camper check-in.
- Accompany campers to activities, in rotation (i.e. the pool, wall climb, hikes, meal, etc.).
- Supervise campers during glucose monitoring.
- Work with camper and camp physician in determining insulin dose based on blood glucose and planned activities.
- Provide daily education for assigned campers.
- Maintain glucose records for assigned campers.
- Assist with health cottage coverage in rotation schedule.
- Initiate independent nursing actions and first aid.
- Initiate emergency measures in absence of physician.
- Treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia per the Medical Protocols.
- Complete camp summary forms for campers.
- Participate in camper checkout.
- To receive CEU's, complete a post-exam and evaluation and return by mail to the Medical Coordinator.
Camp Dietitians
Download a staff application form
Nutrition Director
- Design snack menus, coordinate meal planning with Food Service Manager of organization hosting camp.
- Provide estimated carbohydrate content of portions served at snacks and meals.
- Provide age appropriate nutrition guidelines to use for education.
- Develop and revise annually, nutrition goals for campers.
- Coordinate professional education with Medical Coordinator.
Camp Nutritionist
During Orientation
- Assist nutrition director with above duties.
- Assist in set-up and organization of food, medical supplies and cabin emergency boxes.
During Camp
- Supervise nutrition interns and facilitate learning throughout the camp experience.
- Participate in orientation and training prior to camp, education of campers, staff education during camp and team meetings and chart reviews as needed/requested.
- Assist with blood glucose monitoring as needed.
- Eat at alternate tables during meals, engage campers in discussions about nutrition during meals, and promote good choices during meals.
- Set up and distribute snacks.
- Assist in 2 am testing as needed.
- Work with CIT director to coordinate stocking and distribution of emergency boxes and snack packs for hikes.
- Help arrange supplies needed for 2 am testing.
Following Camp
- Provide feedback and suggestions to Medical Coordinator, Nutrition and Camp Director on food service provided by camp host and other areas such as education and controlling blood glucose levels at camp.
Camp Counselors
Download a staff application form
For medical, nursing, nutrition, and other college students this is a totally unique learning experience and an opportunity to meet and interact with children living with diabetes. It is a chance to enhance diabetes management skills and learn about new tools for managing blood sugars. This is also an opportunity to spend a week with practicing endocrinologists, dietitians and diabetes nurse educators.
Overview
- Counslors will live in a cabin group with eight to ten campers, serving as their counselor and leader in the cabin group, supporting both the Counselor's In Training (CITs) and cabin nurses.
- Participate in the planning and implementing of all camp programming.
- Participate in all cabin activities and acting as a role model to your campers.
- Provide leadership in one or more program activities.
Qualifications
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Possess leadership skills and experience in youth groups.
- Enjoy children and have the ability to work with them.
- Have the ability to understand the special needs of the campers and place the needs of the campers and camp ahead of personal desires.
- Must relate to ones' peers and supervisors in the camp setting.
- Find enjoyment in outdoor living and have an appreciation and understanding of the natural environment.
- Possess skill and ability in some specific program responsibility.
- Good health, vitality and maturity.
- Good moral character.
- Committed to carrying out the basic team purpose of the camp.
- Possess skills in oral and written communication.
- Be a team player.
Continuing Education Units
Download a staff application form
The camp education experience is designed to enhance the knowledge of the practitioner in the management of diabetes. Our multi-disciplinary team of providers, may of whom are also certified diabetes educators, will cover the following topics:
- Types of Diabetes Mellitus
- Medications:
- Insulin Adjustment Guidelines
- Flexible Insulin Therapy
- Nutrition Therapy:
- Carbohydrate Counting
- Blood Glucose Monitoring:
- Meaning of HbA1c Results
- Signs, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment of Hypo/Hyperglycemia
- Prevention of Complications
- Coping skills
- Technological Advances in Diabetes:
- Insulin Pumps
- Insulin Delivery Devices
- Other New Diabetes Care Products
Professional education classes will also include daily chart review sessions to emphasize the practical aspects of diabetes care. The extensive experience of our faculty with clinical experience, patient care and research will assist the health professional in the application of new developments in the field of diabetes.
Education Objectives
After participating in the training and education programs at camp, health care professionals and students will be more familiar with:
- Age-appropriate diabetes education.
- Nutrition therapy.
- Blood glucose monitoring.
- Insulin adjustment guidelines.
- Understanding diabetes management strategies.
Accreditation
Registered Nurses may apply for 10 hours of CEU's. The Diabetes Society is an accredited provider of the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP2449.
Registered Dietitians may apply for up to 5 hours of CEU's. Credits have been applied for from the American Dietetic Association.
