York Diabetes Sports Camp

Our Mission:

To enhance the quality of life for young persons with diabetes through sport, physical activity and physical fitness in a unique camp experience with their peers.

Our goal is to offer a fun sporting experience in a safe, diabetes-friendly environment.

About Us:

Running since 2008, the Diabetes Sports Camp at York University is offered to youth with Type 1 diabetes.  The unique camp offered by Sport and Recreation York, is led by Dr. Michael Riddell, a world renowned diabetes and exercise physiologist and associate professor at the Faculty of Health.

This camp focuses on youth (ages 8-16) who choose to specialize in one sport. The sports to choose from are: soccer, basketball, tennis or track & field. The camp is located at the Keele campus of York University and runs for two consecutive one-week sessions in 2013 (July 8th- 12th and 15th-19th).

Campers with type 1 diabetes and non-diabetic campers of the same age range are integrated for most of the day, but are also grouped back together at regular times for blood glucose monitoring and to share tips about competing in sports while living with diabetes. Guest speakers also share their stories and strategies.

Campers are placed into groups according to their age and skill level.

This camp offers young people living with type 1 diabetes exciting learning opportunities in a variety of sports (tennis, basketball, track and field and soccer). Fundamental skills are taught with excellent instruction for participants at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels.

Monitoring of blood glucose levels and strategies on modifications to insulin and or carbohydrate intake will be discussed with the campers and their parents using evidence based published guidelines by the International Society of Pediatric Diabetes.