Resident Camp FAQs

Residential Camp is held at Recreation Unlimited in Ashley, Ohio. You can check out their website by clicking here.

You have 2 options for transportation to and from camp: take the bus or drive with a personal vehicle. The bus leaves from and returns to Toledo at the Mary Ellen Falzone Diabetes Center. There is no additional charge to take the bus. You can select which option is best works for you when registering your camper.

The majority of our counselors either live with Type 1 themselves or are close with someone who lives with Type 1. Many counselors are former campers who choose to come back as camp staff. DYS has taken the time and effort to select only the most experienced people as camp staff.

In order to provide the best authentic camp experience for your child, we ask that parents can attend camp after their child has attended one (1) year of resident camp by themselves. 

Why?

We want to establish trust between camp staff and parents. We understand some parents might be hesitant, but if a nervous parent attends camp, they are more likely to hover over their child and impair that camper’s ability to experience camp like other children.

But I promise I won’t hover!

We understand not all parents will do this. However, we can also guarantee that your camper will act differently at camp if you are there! Camp gives kids the ability to explore and learn more about themselves in a new environment.

 

If you are still interested in volunteering at camp, you are welcome to be a bus chaperone and/or volunteer at Check In/Out for your child’s camp session.

Our medical staff is comprised of endocrinology nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators, and nurses who are all knowledgeable in the care and treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Please refer to the Camp Manual for specifics on how our medical staff monitors each child’s diabetes.

No. DYS uses the truddy system, meaning they will always be with at least 2 other people during their time at camp.

Meals will be served in the dining hall, cafeteria style. Campers will be choosing what they want to east prior to mealtime and are responsible for calculating the amount of carbohydrates they will eat at each meal. The calculations will be verified by medical personnel before insulin coverage is given. Campers will be encouraged to try new foods and eat balanced meals. We also provide snacks throughout the day and have extras of needed to treat blow sugars.

All medical and dietary staff are made aware of dietary restrictions and/or allergies before camp begins.

All campers sleep in large cabins separated by gender. There are multiple counselors and medical staff in each cabin. We also do blood sugar checks at night to ensure levels are good when campers are asleep.

Absolutely. Over the years a child or young adult with type 1 diabetes will feel alone because of their disease. Camp is a place where nearly everyone is going through the same things they are, regardless of how long they have been living with Type 1. In addition, as kids grow up and go through puberty, camp is a great place to learn more about diabetes management as they grow up.

Some examples include canoeing, swimming, crafts, talent shows, and of course interactive diabetes education.

DYS determined camp prices based off venue cost, staffing, food and activity supplies. We have slightly adjusted our prices in 2023 to reflect rising costs and adding an additional day to our Middle Shots Camp session.  However, DYS is committed to never turning a T1D camper away for financial reasons and scholarship opportunities will be available to all campers

We have created a step-by-step guide for parents to follow for enrolling, registering, choosing transportation, and completing forms. Click here to access the step-by-step guide.

 

Still having trouble? Contact us at 419.291.1238 or email [email protected]

Please see our Camp Financial Support Page for more information regarding scholarships.

Please contact Camp Director Cindy at [email protected] for more information regarding camping supplies.

If DYS cancels a program, camp, or event, DYS will refund in whole your deposit/payment. However, if a program, camp, or event is canceled due to an Act of God or other event outside of DYS’ control, DYS may reschedule the event at a reasonable time and place, and with reasonable advanced notice to the participant. If a program, camp, or event participant cancels their participation, DYS will refund the payees’ deposit/payment, minus any expenses incurred by DYS in connection with the Participant.

 

If a participant cancels registration less than 2 weeks before the first day of their camp session they will be charged a $25 cancellation fee/person. 

If a participant does not notify DYS of cancellation before the first day of programming (no call no show), a $50 cancellation fee will be added to their account. We will not be able to allow payments for registration fees or any scholarships to be applied for future Retreats or Camp sessions until that balance has been taken care of.

We are working with Recreation Unlimited’s protocol in regards to COVID, you can learn more by accessing their Toolkit here.

Am I able to communicate with my child at camp?

Campers are not permitted to bring their cell phones to camp. Please, do not tell your camper that they can call home. This only confirms with your camper that they can go home if homesick. If needed, email [email protected] or call 419.219.1238 before noon each day and leave a message requesting that the staff be contacted to see how your camper is doing. DYS staff will contact you after 4:00pm and give you an update. If there is an issue or concern, DYS Camp Staff will contact you. If there is an emergency, you may call 419.479.8791.

We encourage you to send mail to your camper. The mailing address is:

Name of camper and date attending

Recreation Unlimited, DYS Camp

7700 Piper Rd.

Ashley, OH 43003

As it sometimes takes a few days to mail, the best way to make sure your camper receives mail is to give it to camp staff when you check them in. We will pass letters out to them throughout the week.

Yes. Please see our CGM Policy for more information regarding usage.

Am I able to communicate with my child at camp?

Campers are not permitted to bring their cell phones to camp. Please, do not tell your camper that they can call home. This only confirms with your camper that they can go home if homesick. If needed, email [email protected] or call 419.219.1238 before noon each day and leave a message requesting that the staff be contacted to see how your camper is doing. DYS staff will contact you after 4:00pm and give you an update. If there is an issue or concern, DYS Camp Staff will contact you. If there is an emergency, you may call 419.479.8791.

We encourage you to send mail to your camper. The mailing address is:

Name of camper and date attending

Recreation Unlimited, DYS Camp

7700 Piper Rd.

Ashley, OH 43003

As it sometimes takes a few days to mail, the best way to make sure your camper receives mail is to give it to camp staff when you check them in. We will pass letters out to them throughout the week.

In 2024, we will waitlist any non-diabetic campers until June 1st. If there are any remaining spots after that, we will move your camper’s sibling or friend’s status over to registered to secure their spot. This is because we want to give priority to the community we serve first and foremost.

 

The other thing to note for non-T1D campers is no scholarship opportunities though DYS will be available, so guardians will be responsible for the full registration fee. The reason here is we are gifted grant money to provide our scholarships from organizations relating to diabetes, with the understanding the money will be used for our T1D campers and need to report back accordingly on a yearly basis.

 

There are some exceptions to this policy, please contact the DYS office with any questions.

Please contact Camp Director Cindy Presser by email at [email protected] or by phone at 419.291.1238

 

Click here to read our 2023 Resident Camper Manual 

Your child MAY NOT participate in camp activities until the following forms are received:

  • Physical Form, signed by a physician
  • Injection Form if on Multiple Daily Injections at Camp
  • Clear copy of camper insurance card, front and back
  • Code of Conduct and Recreation Unlimited Liability Form, signed by camper and parent/guardian
  • Any due balances on the account
  • Online registration and consent forms

Please call 419.291.1234 or email [email protected] if you have any questions about obtaining these documents.