Camp Red Jacket - Helping Children with Diabetes Find Answers

A free day camp for children ages 6 - 12 with Type I diabetes

Crazy about camp - Elizabeth Lamm was a little nervous at the beginning of Camp Red Jacket. But once she started making new friends and meeting other children with diabetes, she started to feel better and have fun. "The counselors are helpful, friendly and nice," she says. "I can't wait until next year when I can come back and learn something new."

Discovering you have diabetes is unsettling at any age, but for children, it can be especially puzzling. At Camp Red Jacket, we help children with Type I diabetes find the answers to their questions about managing this serious disease. And, we do it in a fun, game-based environment that lets kids be kids.

Here, your child will gain confidence and find camaraderie with other children as together they explore different strategies for managing their diabetes. And, we invite parents to join us too!

What We Offer

• A FREE day camp for children 6 - 12 with Type I diabetes.
• Swimming, arts and crafts, local field trips.
• Confidence-building games that teach coping skills
• Frequent blood sugar testing.
• Lunch and two healthy snacks per day.
• A professional staff of certified diabetes educators, registered nurses, registered dietitians, certified insulin pump trainers, and certified registered nurse practitioners.
• Junior teen counselors with Type 1 diabetes, who can relate to your child through personal experience.

The Story Behind Camp Red Jacket

Located on the beautiful Cedar Crest College campus in Allentown, PA, Camp Red Jacket is a day camp run by Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network’s Helwig Health and Diabetes Center in partnership with the Loretti Fund and the Allen Center for Nutrition at Cedar Crest College.

Chief Red Jacket was a Seneca Indian from New York named Sagoyewatha, who helped the United States in the War of 1812. He earned his anglicized name from the succession of red jackets given to him by British soldiers. Respected for his wisdom, justice and tolerance of individual rights, Chief Red Jacket also loved nature and was known as the “Pine Tree” chief.

The camp was named by Frank Loretti, a longtime supporter and friend of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. Mr. Loretti was sailing on a New York lake when a storm arose, forcing him to seek shelter. He found refuge at a pier belonging to the Red Jacket Yacht Club, named after the great Indian chief, and thought it only fitting that the camp should bear this legend’s name.

Become a Camp Red Jacket Donor

Camp Red Jacket is made possible in part by donations, large and small, from generous friends. If you would like to join our family of donors, call The Helwig Health and Diabetes Center at 610-402-5000.

Ask about Becoming a Junior Counselor!

Volunteer junior counselor positions are available to qualified candidates ages 14 and up who have diabetes. For information, call the Helwig Health and Diabetes Center at 610-402-5000.

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