WSU launches educational lifestyle camp for youth with Type 1 diabetes
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University’s free REACH Weber program is providing youth with Type 1 diabetes guidance on maintaining a healthy lifestyle through its recreational events.
REACH Weber, which stands for Recreate, Educate, Advocate and Climb Higher, was brought to Weber State in early 2023 by Eddie Hill, associate professor and REACH program director. The camps combine fun activities with education on Type 1 diabetes for youth and their families. The first event, Family Diabetes Day camp, was hosted in April.
“When I brought the program to Weber State, there was huge support for it because of the need for a year-round program,” Hill said. “There are only about three or four other programs in the country that offer services year-round for youth with T1D, so we’re one of the few.”
Due to the high demand, the Tween-Teen camp this August is already full. However, beginning in September, REACH Weber plans to host monthly day camps on Saturdays throughout the year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Swenson Gym on WSU’s Ogden campus. They also plan to host Family Diabetes Day camps in the fall and spring. Free lunch and snacks are provided at each event.
All camps include activities such as diabetes education, rock climbing, mountain biking, swimming and hiking to help youth learn to effectively manage their blood sugar. Youth are also taught ways to manage diabetes through stress management and self-care.
The program is run by faculty, staff and student volunteers in the Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education. REACH Weber program staff use the Electronic Medical Record system, Camp Views, for camper registration and blood glucose monitoring. Collecting this biometric data while at camp helps to provide efficacy for these programs.
“Through our camps, we're hoping they'll realize that going out and exercising or being physically active will help them effectively manage their blood sugar,” Hill said. “Overall, it’s a pretty active camp, but there's also some downtime where they can socialize and connect with others who also have diabetes.”
Hill said the program is also a service learning opportunity for WSU students in his Outdoor & Community Recreation Education courses to help discover the impacts recreational activities can have on youth with Type 1 diabetes.
These camps provide students more experience working with youth and the opportunity to present findings from program evaluations at national conferences and publish their findings, Hill said.
“It’s exciting to see their findings support the impact that recreation can make on health and wellness for our communities,” he said.
All events are free to attend thanks to support from the Lions Club International Foundation, Lions Club Multiple District 28, Alan & Jeanne Hall Endowment for Community Outreach, local healthcare providers and WSU. Those interested can visit the REACH Weber website or email eddiehill@weber.edu for more information and to register for upcoming camps.
Erika Gonzalez Lara, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948, erikagonzalezlara@weber.edu- Contact:
Eddie Hill, REACH program director
eddiehill@weber.edu