Camp Carefree

About Camp Carefree

ADA Camp Carefree is a residential co-ed camp for children aged 8-15. We also offer a CIT program for 16-17 year olds.

Our mission is to provide a fun-filled, educational camping experience for children with diabetes that will help them to develop and maintain active, healthy lifestyles.

Our camp is located in New Durham, NH on the grounds of Lions Camp Pride. We have eight camper cabins that accommodate 15 campers, 3 counselors and a CIT. We offer many activities from which the campers choose to participate; as well as Nutrition and Diabetes Education.

The campers also have swimming lessons, A&C classes, Ropes Course and hiking excursions. On alternate days, the campers have Counselor Treats (a special activity they share with one counselor and four other campers).

Each day ends with an Evening Program. These activities vary, ie: Sing Down; Treasure Hunt; Carnival, etc. A typical day starts at 7:00 am with blood sugar checks and ends with lights out around 9:30 pm.

The main goal of the program at Camp Carefree is to allow the campers the ability to feel at ease and “accepted” in a community where having diabetes is the rule, not the exception. The campers learn to understand diabetes and the process of self-management, under skilled and continuous medical supervision. It is the hope of the staff, that these children go home feeling more self-confident, self-reliant and having gained the knowledge they need to live successful, full lives with diabetes. We want them to be able to say, “I went to camp and had fun!” Many of these children come to camp not knowing any other people with diabetes, especially other kids like themselves. There are friendships made, which quite frankly, last a lifetime!

Many parents comment on how the two weeks of camp give them the opportunity to “take a break from diabetes” because they know their child is well cared for, and in a safe environment. Camp not only helps the child, but helps the whole family!