Has your child recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and you need support? Do you want to introduce your young one or youth living with T1D to camp life? Or, maybe, you would like to share with other families going through the same experience as you? T1D family camps are designed for you!
During a stay that typically lasts between 2 and 4 days, parents and family members can attend presentations on T1D given by healthcare professionals, as well as group discussions. Meanwhile, children have fun together under the supervision of counselors (many of whom live with T1D) and medical staff. And sometimes during the day, all families get together to have some fun!
Several T1D family camps are available across Canada. Don’t forget to book your spot as they fill up quickly! Registration generally takes place between December and March for stays from April to September, depending on the location.
Here are a few examples of T1D family camps in Canada.
Camp pour enfants diabétiques de l’Est du Québec – CEDEQ (Quebec)
Hosted at camp Trois-Saumons, on the shores of Lake Trois-Saumons, in the beautiful municipality of Saint-Aubert, this camp is designed for families and children under 8 years old living with T1D.
Accommodation in cabins (one per family).
2025 camp dates: August 22-24.
For more information (in French only): camp familial CEDEQ.
Camp Carowanis (Quebec)
Located in Ste-Agathe des Monts, by Lake Didi, this camp welcomes families, their children living with T1D (under 16 years old) and their siblings.
Accommodation in prospectors’ tents, except for families with a child under 2 years old, who will stay in a cabin.
2025 camp dates:
- May 17-19
- August 22-24
- September 5-7
For more information: Family weekend at Carowanis.
D-Camps Family (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick)
D-Camps Family welcomes families (including grandparents, extended family, and friends) who have a child living with T1D (newly diagnosed or not; 17 years old and under). It provides the child with an introduction to the experience of a specialized summer camp for T1D, such as the D-Camps by Diabetes Canada.
For more information: Diabetes Canada D-Camps.
Here are some D-camps for families:
Camp Douwanna (Newfoundland and Labrador)
This camp is hosted at Max Simms Memorial Camp in Bishop Falls, Newfoundland.
Accommodation in a 5-bedroom chalet with 4 private bathrooms, accommodating up to 28 people. Each family has its own room and bathroom.
2025 camp dates: July 21-24.
For more information: Camp Douwanna.
Camp Angus (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick)
Accommodation in a chalet in one of 1 of 2 locations depending on the date chosen. Each chalet has 5 bedrooms and 4 private bathrooms, accommodating up to 28 people. Each family is assigned their own bedroom and bathroom.
2025 camp dates:
-
- April 25-27 (Brigadoon Village, Aylesford Lake, Nova Scotia)
- May 23-25 (Camp Shiktehawk, Carlow, New Brunswick)
- September 19-21 (Brigadoon Village, Aylesford Lake, Nova Scotia)
For more information: Camp Angus.
Camp Kakhamela (British Columbia)
Accommodation in rustic cabins with bunk beds, at Camp Homewood, Quadra Island. Toilets and showers are typically located in a separate building.
2025 camp dates: May 2-4.
For more information: Camp Kakhamela.
I Challenge Diabetes Family Adventures (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia)
This organization, founded by Olympic rower Chris Jarvis, organizes adventure weekends for families and their children living with T1D. Here are some available stays:
JD Family Camp Adventure (Fingal, Ontario)
Open to all families with children of all ages.
Hosted at Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility.
2025 camp dates: March 21-23.
For more information: JD Family Camp.
Kananaskis Family Adventure (Upper Kananaskis, Alberta)
A backpack hiking camp in the Canadian Rockies. For teenagers and adults who are in good physical condition and capable of carrying 30% of their body weight on their backs.
Hosted at Point Backcountry Campground, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
2025 camp dates: June 27-30.
For more information: Kananaskis Family Adventure.
Prince George Family Adventure (Prince George, British Columbia)
Camping in nature using tents, RVs, cabins, and/or chalets for pre-teens, teens, and their families.
2025 dates: July 11-13.
For more information: Prince George Family Adventure.
Sugar Valley Family Adventure (Coldwater, Ontario)
A stay in Copeland Forest for all families and their children living with T1D who enjoy canoeing, hiking, campfires, and climbing.
2025 dates: August 1-4.
For more information: Sugar Valley Family Adventure.
Do you know of any other T1D family camps in Canada? Let us know about it!
Written by: Nathalie Kinnard, scientific writer and research assistant
Reviewed and edited by:
- Barbara Kelly et Kaitlin McBride, patient partners of the BETTER project.
