Organization

Camp Kudzu, Inc.

Atlanta, GA
Mission

Camp Kudzu's mission is to educate, empower, and inspire children and youth who live with diabetes.

  • Website: http://campkudzu.org
  • Email: rshaw@campkudzu.org
  • Phone: 404-250-1811
  • Principal Officer: Rob Shaw
  • EIN
    EIN: 582449646
  • Organization Description:

    Children who learn to take control and better manage their diabetes can reduce the risk of these difficulties. That’s where Camp Kudzu comes in – as we like to say, “until there’s a cure, there’s camp!” At our camp programs, children and teens make new friends who are also learning to manage their diabetes. They explore the world around them and learn that “I can” is much more powerful than “I can’t.” Camp Kudzu is an environment created specifically for them, providing the ideal setting to learn life skills, develop self-esteem and gain a sense of independence and community.

Camp Kudzu, Inc.
5885 Glenridge Drive, Suite 160
Atlanta, GA 30328
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All Programs

Summer camp is a “best practices seminar in the woods” for kids who live with diabetes. Camp Kudzu's primary goal is to provide education and resources for children who live with T1D to live healthy lives by learning how to manage their diabetes safely. The organization achieves this goal through our signature overnight summer camp programs. Camp Kudzu’s week-long summer camp programs help campers avoid serious health complications (kidney failure, heart disease, and retinopathy) as adults and provide them with necessary psychological support. During the week-long summer sessions, campers enjoy a wide variety of traditional summer camp activities while learning important diabetes management skills. Campers receive encouragement to practice new skills and work towards independence in their diabetes management. Participants ages 8 through 16 are eligible for the overnight summer camp experience.

The CIT program is designed for 17 and 18-year-old former campers who have demonstrated effective management of their own regimen. In addition, to fulfilling the key role of volunteer, CITs experience reinforced diabetes management education and are encouraged remain disciplined as many of them prepare for independence. The CIT program reinforces important attributes such as communication and leadership skills. Importantly, the CIT program serves as a bridge between adult volunteers and camp participants. Currently, 80 of Camp Kudzu’s 400 volunteers are former camp participants and most were CITs.

Diabetes impacts the entire family, and Camp Kudzu’s weekend Family Camps are for the whole family. The program is also valuable for families of newly diagnosed children or those who need additional support. The weekend includes workshops about many aspects of diabetes for the adults plus activities for all age groups. Carbohydrate counts and allergen listings for all menu items, meals, and snacks simplify life. Medical professionals are on site throughout the weekend to deliver diabetes management information and to answer questions.

The Sprouts Day Camp program replicates the overnight program during the day for children ages five to eight years-old. In addition to swimming, games, arts, and crafts, participants learn about type 1 diabetes, and meet other children with similar healthcare needs. Counselors and clinicians provide medical supervision and teach the children diabetes management skills. This program provides a rare opportunity for children with type 1 diabetes to fully participate in a camping experience.

Camp Kudzu hosts an annual co-ed adventure for teens each year. The program reinforces healthy habits for teens living with type 1 diabetes and provides a sustained supportive community of peers and role models. Physical, social, and emotional well-being of group and self, adapting personal diabetes regimen at new exertion levels, and gaining appreciation of nature are also key objectives of the program.