Camp Scholarships
TOPP Foundation’s Camp Scholarship Program
Between 2018-2023, this program has awarded twenty-one camp scholarships to children and teens with T1D!
TOPP Foundation provides financial aid scholarships for Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda to children and teens living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) because every child should be able to experience the joy of overnight summer camp!
Children and teens with T1D are often unable to attend overnight camp because the disease requires 24-hour attention. Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda provide the necessary medical care and offer a unique opportunity for children to spend time with peers and staff who understand and share the challenges of living with T1D. This community of support in a fun environment is a positive experience and helps them realize they are not alone with the disease.
Overnight diabetes camp can be the best medicine for kids with T1D. Kids experience a traditional and fun summer camp in a medically safe environment while developing social skills and a new sense of independence. For many children, going to a diabetes camp builds self-esteem and confidence. Campers have firsthand learning opportunities on how to better manage their diabetes and maintain a good attitude about living with a chronic disease. Often campers build lifelong friendships and return every summer. Some also eventually become counselors, helping others in their journey with this disease.
Also, because experts are onsite 24 hours a day to provide medical care, diabetes camp is often the first-time parents feel comfortable leaving their child in a place away from home. Knowing their child will be in a safe environment allows parents and/or caregivers a much needed respite from diabetes-related worries.
Unfortunately, sending a child to diabetes camp can be an additional financial hardship for families. To help defray the cost of tuition, TOPP will be awarding a limited amount of $500 scholarships for Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda to children and teens from Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County, PA. This is a lottery scholarship. Eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery drawing and have an equal chance of winning.
The application window opens on February 15th and the deadline to apply is April 30th, 2024.