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
“Whether or not you consider yourself an athlete or even athletic, if you live with diabetes then DTC is the perfect space for you. It is the most supportive and encouraging environment I have ever experienced in my 32 years with diabetes and I have never learned so much, worked so hard, and connected so deeply with the community.”
Linda S.
T1D athlete
“I want to thank all the folks who make DTC available to all of us courageous people. Since camp I have been taking a more pro-active (instead of reactive) approach to my diabetes. Pre-camp I was only in range 60-65% of the time, since camp 85-90% of the time everyday. I went from using 100-110 units a day to averaging 73 units per day, my activity level and running successes are higher with fewer lows or issues, my stress level is way down. To say camp was life-changing doesn’t do it justice, THANK YOU DTC.”
Edward K.
T1D athlete
““Diabetes training camp really taught me not to be afraid. It’s so wonderful to be surrounded by other people dealing with the same challenges, checking meters, alarms going off, everyone prepared. I love the fact that I can do push ups and sit ups with my middle school kids as a teacher. Before camp, I felt like I’d lost a lot of my freedom. Now I’ve learned how to do the things I love with my body. Every time I attend, I get something different out of it—the lectures, the support, the friendships. Coming all the way from Alaska can be difficult, but it’s always worth it. Camp has shown me what’s possible and reminded me I’m not alone.””
Heather R.
T1D athlete
“My favorite part of diabetes training camp was the feeling of safety and security. It’s hard to put into words why that’s so important, but it was such a special experience—exercising, learning, and being surrounded by medical professionals and others who truly understand. I learned strategies to better manage my glucose, especially during workouts, and the camaraderie of being around people who had experienced what I was going through was invaluable. The most surprising thing was how impactful it felt to be surrounded by so many other type one diabetics—it was comforting in a way I never expected. Coming from New Jersey, camp has been life-changing for me, and I encourage anyone considering it to just go. It’s worth your time, your resources, and your commitment. Don’t hold back, because the community, the support, and the impact are incredible.”
Renee R.
T1D athlete
“I learned to accept that perfection isn’t attainable—you do the best you can and move on. The camp made that clear with the support of everyone around me. There was so much I enjoyed, but those morning bike rides followed by breakfast were a favorite. Riding with different people, sharing meals, and hearing about everyone’s experiences made it all special. It was a lot of fun, and I can’t say enough about how good the experience was for me. Don’t think about it—just do it. I only wish I could have experienced it years ago as a kid. Of all the causes to support, diabetes training camp is one of the best. I saw firsthand the impact it can have on people’s lives, not just today but for the long term.”
Robert A.
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
