My Life As a T1D

Chapter 7: Camp Winona

About a year after the Diabetes conference my mom found out about this other camp in Florida called YMCA Florida Diabetes camp for boys and girls ages 12-14. So we immediately looked into it because we were really interested. It took a while to decide whether we were going or not because we were really busy with school and other stuff. But my parents talked to one of the organizers and explained that we wanted to participate and that we were from Ecuador. So that summer, in July I went on a plane to Florida to go to a camp out of the country for the first time. (A/N: Btw I went to this camp two times so this chapter is a mixture of both times that I went.)

I arrived 2 days before camp started and we went to a small hotel. We went shopping to see if we could get everything on our list that we had made ahead of time before camp started. It was really busy but fun. I love going to the U.S to buy things that we can't get where I live. For me, the U.S is heaven when it comes to shopping and I feel at home because people don't stare at my family when we speak in english, like they do where I live.

Well, anyways, after that my dad did the long drive from out hotel to the camp site which was out of a city near a lake (yes. You guessed it. Lake Winona.) We parked our car and went to sign me up. They asked some basic question about my diagnosis date, age, medications I took (besides insulin), whether I had a pump or CGM, that kind of stuff. As we walked around the small yet spacious room there were some companies advertising what they were selling: cool, decorative patches for pumps and dexcom and some other really cool things that we browsed through quickly. We went back to the car to get my giant bag with everything I would need for the next week at camp and walked to the cabin. The first year I was a Jaguar and the second year I was a Manatee.

I immediately went to the cabin with my parents helping me with my bag. The cabin are pretty small a miniature balcony on the front with stairs that led to the entrance. Inside it was completely full of wood with bunk beds of 2 alinings the entire room. In the center was a white plastic table with a bunch of papers and insulin supplies such as meters, insulin pens and needles. There were a few girls sitting on their bunks arranging them who I shyly said hello to. My counselors introduced themselves to me and explained to me what we were going to do that day to make me feel more comfortable. (A/N: I decided to shorten the chapter because I got busy and stopped writing so enjoy the rest although it might be fast and not very detailed)

There were lots of games and memories from camp. We would play card games in the cabin when it rained outside and just hangout. We had water and land olympics where we played against other cabins and it was very fun. I made friends and it was a true relief to not have to explain to everyone what the "thing" was on my arm was or what is diabetes and how I got it. We would sit together and talk about relatable moments with diabetes that we all understood. We even had dance party and celebration every single day. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I suggest to everyone no matter you age or anything about you that you go to a camp because you will never regret it and you will have the most fun ever. Both times that I went to the camp I had so much fun I can't really describe how much fun in words. Sadly, I wasn't able to keep my connection with the friends that I made there since I am living in a different country. Even though we had the same condition your race and country really can make a difference I discovered. So that is basically it for this chapter. I had a ton of fun! And I would totally suggest it and do it again. I wouldn't think twice. Hopefully I am able to go to another camp because that was 3 years ago and I still haven't found a camp for my age since I am older now. 

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A/N: I know that this chapter also came late and its ok if you no longer want to read more. I know it's been a while. But I want to know more about you? What do you want me to write? I think I can do a bit better but I'm not going to promise anything.