What is DTC and why is it magical?
Diabetes Training Camp (DTC) is a non-profit organization that is committed to helping people living with diabetes feel empowered and knowledgeable to manage their disease and live a healthy, long and active life. DTC treats the whole patient with education around clinical management, mental skills, coping and communication, nutrition and fueling and exercise physiology.
Programs include their flagship in-person camps. DTC runs two 5-day camps for adults ages 18-85 that include workout and activity sessions, lectures, small groups and workshops and community activities. These camps are filled with life changing moments of realization and understanding that anything is possible and diabetes does not need to hold you back. Many adults living with diabetes have been told that they can not exercise or that exercise needs to be limited. At DTC, we know that with the proper tools and mindset – you can do it all! And, each year about 30% of campers who register for camp are alumni, coming back to experience the magic all over again.
DTC also runs TEEN BOOT CAMPS for teen athletes living with type one diabetes and their parents. This 3-day camp often hosts teens who have never met another T1D. For the first time they meet and mingle with other T1D teens and for the first time they do not feel alone. Much like adult camp, teens are empowered and educated on managing their diabetes while succeeding on and off the field through management strategies and fueling/nutrition strategies. Mental skills is also a big part of the teen program helping teens with communication and coping with teammates, coaches, trainers and programs that do no understand their disease. Many of these kids have been benched, cut or treated unfairly due to their diagnosis. DTC empowers them to educate others and advocate for themselves so they can keep doing what they love effectively and healthfully. The magic continues at this camp during the parent sessions. Parents feel like they finally have a safe place to lay their own burdens down associated with supporting, caring for and advocating for their children. The DTC team empowers them to be supportive but not suffocating, to be informed and not scared and to advocate effectively for their athletes. And gives them a network of other parents and experts who understand.
The community that is formed at these in person experiences is like none other. For many, this is the first-time campers have been surrounded by others who “get it” and who want to provide solutions and strategies for success, and have empathy and understanding for a disease that others just don’t understand.
DTC also offers several virtual programs throughout the year with an emphasis on certain topics like nutrition, mental skills or exercise physiology.
Once someone becomes a member of the DTC community – they have a community for life. There is a private facebook group for sharing, supporting and suggesting and, every other Weds all year long a free community webinar zoom happens from 8p-9:30p est. Alumni can sign up for any or all weds zoom calls and each call has a different topic or guest speaker. There are many opportunities for the community to stay connected year round.
All of this culminates to the DTC COME EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC fundraising event to kick off Diabetes Awareness Month! This event is party celebrating the amazing warriors who are living with diabetes! And, all dollars raised go to scholarships and programming to get people living with diabetes to camp and offer them the services and programs they need to live a full and healthy life.
Until there is a cure for diabetes, there is Diabetes Training Camp!
“The knowledge alone that you all so freely shared was empowering and the community and support
and friendship that you wrapped us in… I don’t even know how to express my appreciation for that. We
are so lucky to have found DTC.”
Stephanie M.
Mom of teen T1D athlete
T1D is a relentless and exhausting disease and there is not a minute that goes by when I’m not thinking
about my blood sugar. Somehow being at DTC normalizes this feeling. Somehow I found this tribe of
people who get it and have seemed to make it easier than it would be and I am so grateful.”
Gillian F. (V Camp and In Person Camp Alum)
Idaho
“I couldn’t have imagined what DTC would be like. From the jump, the care of the genuine team, and the environment they create, for all campers is unbelievable. I felt safe, I felt like I belonged. I could let my guard down and be vulnerable. I loved connecting with other T1Ds from all over the country and being surrounded by people who get it. I’m grateful for my scholarship, without it I couldn’t have experienced this life-changing, life-altering camp.”
DeOndre Hogan
DTC Alumni
“Thank you for providing such an incredible experience for my son and family. Before DTC he had never talked with a peer
about his diabetes, never in 4 years. I can’t believe how camp has made him happy and relaxed. If it wasn’t for DTC, I doubt his confidence of his life with T1D would have ever improved.
All the knowledge you taught us is priceless, but what you have given our son in 3 days is impossible to describe. You have changed our lives forever.”
Melissa Walsh
Mom of teen T1D athlete
“In 32 years as an adult living with T1D, I had never met anyone else who shared this journey. I didn’t arrive at camp with thoughts of being an “athlete,” but that quickly changed after one of the very first lectures. I couldn’t believe how much I was learning about my body and living with T1D…and I became part of a tremendous
community. The loneliness of this journey is a memory – what a gift!
DTC is not about living with chronic illness.
It’s about living fearlessly. It’s about learning. It’s about thriving.”
Rachel Binford
DTC Alumni
I can’t emphasize enough how much DTC has changed my life for the better. Type 1 diabetes is incredibly overwhelming and isolating, but DTC is the best support system for feeling connected and encouraged. The training I’ve received in diabetes management, as well as exercise and mental health, has been beyond value to helping me feel like I have the tools that I need to manage my medical difficulties. The amazing energy of DTC and the staff is empowering and uplifting. I was hesitant to believe that they could deliver the incalculable benefits of their yearly diabetes camps this year through a remote, virtual platform. So much of what they give is relational and emotional support. Boy, was I wrong. I felt every bit as connected, involved, loved and supported as I have in attending their in-person camps. It is such a needed boost for me to be able to connect with DTC. Now I’m ready to get back into life energized, refreshed , and ready to take on type 1 diabetes management.
Taryn B. (V Camp and In Person Camp Alum)
Idaho
This was my 3rd year at Diabetes Training Camp. I live in Juneau, Alaska, and was diagnosed on my 40th birthday. I’d probably gone 7 months undiagnosed. My doctor never checked my blood sugar, because no one else in my family has Type 1 Diabetes. I went to a young PA for a second opinion and she had my BG checked before I left the waiting room. Immeasurable. I never seem to accept limits well… Even though DTC 2020 V Camp took place online this year – What was the best part? Seeing some of those familiar faces. Alumni-campers now work for the foundation! Carrie Jackson’s still keeping us all stable in our emotional expectations, Lindsay Gregerson is still ratifying peanut M-&-Ms, and Dr. Matt still remembers details about me from 2009 – and he only shares the good ones. These people are doing something right, and even the most socially reticent of us are not immune.
Heather R. (V Camp and 2009 In Person Camp Alum)
Alaska
What an amazing experience! This was my first time at DTC and I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially with everything being virtual. But I was blown away! Everything from the incredible list of guest speakers to the wealth of resources they provided was beyond anything I could have imagine. And even more than just the quality of the program itself, it was the strength of the community that has really made an impact on me. The dedication that this group has for helping and supporting others is real and their passion for building up this community is palpable. It was so amazing to be able to connect with so many people, and the virtual format offered such a great opportunity for those who might not be able to join in person. I know for myself, it was a perfect opportunity to see what DTC was all about. It did not disappoint! I left feeling inspired and empowered to ‘live the life I want to live’! I cannot say enough about Dr. Corcoran, his team, and the DTC Foundation. With much gratitude, thank you!
Deborah R. (V Camp Alum)
New Jersey
I was always athletic and active, even early on in my diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes. But along the way my body changed, and I was no longer able to keep my glucose in a range that supported the active lifestyle to which I was accustomed. I started cutting my workouts short. I was soon sitting on the sidelines instead of competing. I felt defeated. Then I heard about and attended my first DTC. Nothing compares to this incredible group of people. I’ve started pushing myself again. I’ve gotten so much stronger. I’ve gotten faster. And I regained confidence in my abilities. Now my eyes are set on Ironman competitions (I never said “I’ve gotten smarter”). I don’t think the proper words exist to adequately describe DTC. It’s transformational. Informational. Affirmational. Motivational. And it’s so much more. It truly is magical.
Jacob D. (Camp Alum)
New York
