Camp Too Sweet 2024

For those of you who haven’t heard about Camp Too Sweet, it is a week-long overnight camp sponsored by Carilion Clinic each summer and is offered exclusively to kids with diabetes, mainly those with Type 1 (T1). Even if you have heard about this camp, what you probably don’t realize is the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes each year to pull this amazing program together – prior to the camp and of course, during the camp – and the incredibly positive and lasting impact the camp has on the children’s lives.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience these amazing people in action and wanted to share examples of what I saw with the rest of Carilion …

·         From the staff I saw hard work with smiles, compassion, collaboration, professionalism, organization, attention to detail, knowledge, years of experience (many have been volunteers for more than 15 years!), positive vibes, harmony, listening, and 1:1 care of the kids. These hidden figures are not just helping campers accept their diabetes and teaching them how to live a healthy lifestyle, they are teaching them kindness, compassion, confidence, independence, and self-efficiency – they are inspiring our kids to pursue careers to help other kids with the same condition. Wow!

·         From the campers, I heard laughter, even more laughter, and I saw happiness, hugs, gratitude, friendship, and joy.

As a mom of a T1D kid, I want to send many, many thanks to these beautiful people for all the work you do! And my heartfelt thanks to Carilion for supporting this amazing program each year. Thank you for improving not just the health of the children of our community, but for going the extra mile to teach them how to deal with this “unwanted condition.” For helping them to prepare to interact socially with confidence after the camp is over, and for helping them realize they are not alone.

There are times when Thank You is simply not enough! So, I will simply say Thank You!

Special thanks to Dr Erika Reynolds, Vanessa Hedge, Kate Jones, Lynne Metzler, Ruth Pickett, Lindsey Evans, Jilly Maddy and Cindy Barden.

For more information about how to volunteer at Camp Too Sweet, please contact Kate Jones at ksjones@carilionclinic.org.