Camp Scholarships
TOPP Foundation wants to help more children and teens with T1D attend diabetes camp.
TOPP Foundation provides scholarships for diabetes camps because of the positive impact, both physically and emotionally, and beneficial experiences that these camps offer children living with type one diabetes.
The TOPP Foundation Camp Scholarship Program enhances the quality of life for youth living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) by providing financial assistance for specialized diabetes summer camps. In 2023 TOPP will be providing $500 camp scholarships to children and teens who would like to attend Camp Freedom, located at Camp Kweebec in Schwenksville, PA or Camp Nejeda, located in Newton, NJ.
Children & teens with T1D are often unable to attend overnight camp because the disease requires 24-hour attention. Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda are specialized residential diabetes camps that provide the necessary medical attention and offer a unique opportunity for children and teens to attend camp with other kids who also have T1D. For some children it may be the first time they meet another child living with the same condition. This may seem minor, but to someone with T1D and their families, this can be life changing and helps them realize they are not alone with the disease.
For many children with diabetes, going to a diabetes camp builds self-esteem and confidence. Campers have hands-on learning opportunities on how to better manage their diabetes, make healthy food choices, and maintain a good attitude about living with diabetes. Guidance in blood glucose monitoring and physical activity is provided in a supervised, fun, relaxed setting and teaches children the self-management skills they'll use for a lifetime.
Overnight diabetes camp can be the best medicine for kids with T1D. Kids experience a traditional summer camp experience in a medically safe environment while developing social skills, self-respect, and lifelong friendships. Many campers return every summer and 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.
TOPP would like to see more children and teens with T1D have the opportunity to experience the joy of overnight summer camp. Unfortunately, sending a child to diabetes camp can be an additional financial hardship for families. TOPP will be awarding a limited number of aid scholarships for Camp Freedom and Camp Nejeda to T1D youth from Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County, PA. The scholarship amount is $500 and the winners will be randomly selected. All eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery drawing and have an equal chance of winning.
The application window for TOPP’s Camp Scholarship Program is February 15th to April 30th, 2023.
