Summer Camper Health and Safety

Medical Team

A vital part of Setebaid’s mission is to educate the next generation of health providers about Type 1 Diabetes management. And what better way to teach than providing hands-on continuous interaction with summer campers living with diabetes. 

As a camp specializing in Type 1 Diabetes, we go above and beyond to ensure the health & safety of your camper. Whether your camper is at lunch or at the pool, there is always a member of our medical team present.

Each camp has a Pediatric Endocrinologist as a Medical Director on site. Setebaid has attracted some of the best and brightest minds, the same diabetes experts pediatricians contact when they need assistance, to camp from various locations including: 

• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Diabetes Center
   
• Geisinger Department of Pediatric Endocrinology
   
• Lancaster General Hospital Family Practice Program
   
• The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
   
• Neumann University Nurse Practitioner Program
   
• PennState University Children’s Hospital Department of Endocrinology
   
• University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine

Even throughout the night, the health & safety of your camper is on the forefront of our minds.  

We all understand the risks of an out-of-range blood sugar while sleeping. At summer camp, Counselors and medical staff team up to provide care for your child.  

• 12 AM and 3 AM blood glucose checks occur (if necessary) to ensure your camper is safe.  
   
• All blood sugar checks, medication administration, other essential notes, progress toward goals are recorded in your camper's record; when you pick up your camper, we provide you with a copy of your camper’s blood glucose records while with us at camp.

• If campers are on the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, our medical staff will monitor their CGM overnight.  This system eliminates night testing while providing them with exceptional blood glucose monitoring.

Camper Safety

Whichever campsite you choose to send your camper to, you can be assured safety is our number one priority.  

All of Setebaid Services diabetes camps are accredited by the American Camp Association. 

In addition, Camp Swatara and Camp Mount Luther are both accredited by the American Camping Association (ACA). This means their standards for health & safety extend far past the legal standards for a summer camp.

Why Does Setebaid Services Also Receive ACA Accreditation?

Unfortunately in Pennsylvania, the Department of Health is limited in scope and does not have the resources to inspect children’s summer camps.  Licensure for camps in PA is purely paperwork and does not mean the camp is inspected! 

Setebaid Services is a member of the American Camp Association (ACA) because as an organization serving children, we strive to be certain our camp experience is not only fun but also safe in all aspects. Safety guidelines come from the American Camp Association and Diabetes camps have additional standards written to receive ACA Accreditation.   The ACA sets the national standard for safety at children's camps in the United States.

Do not assume all diabetes camps are accredited. Some camp sites where diabetes camps are held are accredited, but the diabetes camp is not accredited.  When looking for camps for your camper, be sure to ask if the diabetes camp (not just the site where it is held) is accredited by the American Camp Association!

Setebaid Services’ Summer Camp Volunteer Staff

All summer camp volunteers with Setebaid Services have to pass three required clearances before being allowed to be at camp with your child. These background checks include an FBI Fingerprint check. 

In addition, all staff are rigorously screened prior to being accepted as a camp volunteer staff member.  

And, prior to camper arrival at camp, all camp staff learn

• child development
• how to work with children (and age-appropriate teaching methods)
• diabetes management skills specifically used at our camps
• how to recognize and treat low blood glucose levels

during our extensive multiple-days staff training.  

And, many of our staff members have been campers themselves or are living with Type 1 Diabetes!