Here’s what our alumni have to say about DTC:

“He told me when we were driving home, ‘Mom, every time I’m at camp, I feel the most myself.’ That’s all I needed to hear.”

“The day you leave, you’re constantly thinking about going back, just to spend one more day with people who really understand what it is to be a type 1 diabetic and an athlete. A week later, looking back, I was like — what was I thinking? The second year was even more fun.”

“The connections you make at camp are some you’ll have for a lifetime. There are people from all over the world there to support you and make sure you’re living your life to the best of your ability. I went once and I’ve been back many, many times.”

“If I could have the ideal world, every single person first diagnosed with T1D — especially as an adult — the first thing I would do if I were a doctor is prescribe going to Diabetes Training Camp. The tools you learn, and knowing you are not alone — that is so invaluable.”

“I’d scrapped so many workouts. If I woke up and my blood sugar was off, I’d just cancel the whole thing. But the biggest change since camp is how I approach things when they don’t go perfectly. I don’t scrap the plan. I problem-solve.”

“There aren’t very many experiences in your adult life where you can say, ‘Wow, that changed the trajectory of everything I’m going to do moving forward.’ Diabetes training camp did that for me. It snowballed into so many different things.”

“Within the first two hours of camp, Dr. Matt had answered years of questions in a simple two-hour lecture. I’m like, where were you 16 years ago? My life would be completely different.”

“There was more to this camp than just getting in a couple good days of training. What was more important to me was learning and building personal connections — that’s where camp maximizes its value. How can I do my day-to-day blood sugar management a little differently? Because that’s life-changing.”

“I go every year if possible because I need a reminder I am more than diabetes. I need a reminder that the mistakes I make don’t determine my worth. My cup is never full until I get to camp. That’s why I go.”

“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.”

““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.””

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.”