Hot Shots Camp

"My daughter looks forward to camp every year now. After two years of going, she has formed a family with her camp friends and counselors."
- Camper Parent
Middle Shots 2023
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Big Shots Resident Camp

2024 Dates: June 20-24, 2024
Campers aged 13-17 will make friends that they will cherish for a lifetime. There is something for everyone from canoeing, crafts, swimming, a talent show, archery – AND fun diabetes education.

Middle Shots Resident Camp

2024 Dates: June 17-20, 2024
Middle Shots designed for ages 10-13, is the campers first taste of resident camp. Middle Shots is a great place for the kids to bond and make friendships that last a lifetime through fun-filled camp activities.

Little Shots Day Camp

Little Shots Ohio Dates: July 8-11, 2024
Little Shots Michigan Dates: TBD
Introductory experience for children aged 5-10. In addition to games, crafts, and fun activities, our campers learn tools to help them manage their diabetes independently.

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Why Hot Shots Camp?

A New Experience

Hot Shots Camp is a safe place for kids to try new things. We encourage a wide variety of firsts at camp; some are related to diabetes, others are not. Often, camp is the first time a child stays away from home, the first time they give themselves an injection or even the first time they catch a fish! When a first does happen-its time to celebrate that person and cheer for them on the way to the prize bin! Each year brings a new theme filled with tons of unique crafts, games, and activities. Whether your are a new camper or returning, you will never get bored!

Make New Friends

At some point, every child living with diabetes has felt alone. At camp, they realize they are never alone! Campers return from camp feeling more confident in themselves and knowing they have a whole community to support them. DYS has a long history of making friends for a lifetime. More than half our campers come back every year for more fun!

Our Staff

Medical

Our team of nurse practitioners, nurses, diabetes educators and a registered dietician are on-site to ensure all campers’ diabetes and dietary needs are met. Our medical staff continually educate campers by using teachable moments to encourage independent management.

 

Counselors

Our counselors are primarily young adults who live with diabetes themselves. They are fantastic role models for the campers, model good diabetes management and make the camp experience a memorable one!

 

Facility Staff

DYS works hard to ensure all the facilities we work with uphold the same values we do, from accommodating low blood sugars during Alpine Tower, to making campers from all races, religions, sexual orientations and more feel welcome and at home. Our Resident Camp facility is ACA Accredited and our Day Camp facility staff have won several awards.

Campers in the past 3 years:
Identify new tools relating to T1D care 87%
Showed improvements in attitude towards Type 1 diabetes 89%
Had a meaningful experience at DYS Hot SHots Camp 100%
Parents felt camp met or exceeded expectations 94%