Camp Hertko Hollow, C’s First Year

It’s been amost 6 Months since Son Number One’s Type 1 diagnosis. He was diagnosed on a Monday, discharged from the hospital on a Wednesday or maybe Thursday, and by the Sunday after he was diagnosed, I had already been approached by a community member I’ve known since my own childhood about camp. I was on my way out to run an errand, and Ruth was walking by and stopped me to ask about how Son Number One was doing, as she had heard of his diagnosis. I told her we were doing as well as we could be. And in the next breath, she said “Well, The Lions Club will help send him to camp in the summer.” And that was that. We got materials for camp and got him signed up VERY early, and life happened for a few months... and then last week, he went to camp.

And it was the best experience for him.

Camp Hertko Hollow is held at the Des Moines Y Camp outside of Boone, Iowa. It’s a drive out into the country, down some nondescript Iowa gravel roads. Being our first year as a Diabetes camp family, we didn’t know what to expect after driving 3 hours to drop off our 7 year old for a few days with strangers. As soon as we turned into the parking lot, his eyes got big, and he was more excited than nervous. He saw that there were cabins with two levels, and he wanted to be in one of those. After a thorough check-in process that included meeting with medical staff, talking about insulin dosages, and the obligatory camp head-lice check (which he passed—thank goodness! Ha!), we set off to unpack his stuff and get him settled. Much to his delight, he was in the top floor of the very cabin he hoped for—Deer Valley. (It was the one we hoped for, too, since it’s the one we parked right in front of....!) We met one of his counselors and he picked his (obviously top) bunk out. There were already a couple of other campers there, so he was at ease right away. And then his other counselor offered him a snack of Cheetos (only 14 grams of carbs, mom!!), and he grinned and that was that.... he was hooked, so we gave our hugs and were on our way home.



I picked him up on Wednesday morning and the highlight reel is as follows...

1. Food was good! I loved it all!
2. They came around and checked blood sugar every night, which was weird, but fine.
3. The rock climbing wall was awesome.
4. My counselors were awesome, one has Type 1 like me and was diagnosed when he was 2!
5. We had S’Mores!
6. Even my nighttime insulin was in a cool pen here.
7. Swimming was fun. I didn’t pass the test... but they had cool goggles.
8. I for sure want to come back next year for a whole week.
9. The girls wouldn’t let us see the frogs they found... (this really bothered him!)
10. “I think I’d like to be a counselor when I’m older, like my counselors. I could help kids, too!”

There were more, but it sounded like an amazing time, and we’ve already made plans for him to hang out with his “BFF” (his words) from camp who lives pretty close to us. I am so grateful he had this opportunity to go and become a part of such a community. Type 1 is not a blessing... but getting to know all of these awesome people certainly was. I can’t say enough good things about the camp experience for him... it was just that good. My mom heart was bursting when I saw his huge grin when I picked him up, and it still is when I think of what a whirlwind the last 6 Months have been for him, and how far we’ve all come.

I am having issues getting photos to upload; I will work on it again when I’m by my laptop. Technology on my iPhone is holding me back tonight.

Only 51 weeks until next year’s camp! ;)

Hello Summer!

As one would reasonably expect with a family like ours... there is always something going on. The past couple of months have been full to the brim of activity for all of us as the school year FINALLY wound to a close.

We participated in our first JDRF OneWalk for Diabetes research and had a good time with that. Our team raised over $2000 this year, which was a great accomplishment in our minds! Son number one was delighted seeing all of the other teams there, and said it was good knowing he’s not alone. I think that while we can tell him this until we are blue in the face, it is so much more real when he sees others like himself . Great event, we are already planning for next year.

All four kids have had birthdays since I last wrote here... so we now are the proud owners of a 9 year old, a seven year old, a four year old, and a one year old. I can’t believe how fast time is flying.... and how slow it seems to go some days. The days are long, but the years are short. I still try to soak up all of the things they do at all of their ages, though... because I know youth is fleeting.

We have done a little bit of traveling in summer so far, but most of our vacationing is still upcoming. Collin did go to camps but I am saving all things camp for another post. Mostly, we are staying up late and sleeping in, and loving life without strict schedules. 6 weeks left of break... :)