Family Camp
Ages: All
Location: Stillwater, NJ
Duration: 3 Days, 2 Nights
Mini Family Camp: 1 Day
Family Camps are a fun mini-vacation for the whole family and are a great introduction to the Camp Nejeda experience for young children and newly diagnosed children. They also provide a peek into camp life for parents and siblings. We recognize that managing diabetes can be challenging for the entire family. Lots of fun, family-friendly camp activities are supplemented with opportunities for parents, kids and siblings to meet and talk with other people who share their unique challenges.
Best For: Families looking to bond and engage in activities together, while learning from other families with similar experiences.
Benefits: Offers the camp experience with the comfort of family presence. It’s a great way to gauge your child's response to camp life before committing to a sleep-away experience. An opportunity to connect and learn with other families in a similar situation.
Considerations: Your child might feel safer and more secure with family around, which can help ease anxiety about the camp environment.
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A typical day of Family Camp involves a mix of fun and education! Families have the chance to attend scheduled activities together and branch off to do their own thing. We host 2-3 parent meetings daily, which are facilitated by experienced staff, while kids are off playing with counselors. In the evening, we provide outside entertainment on night 1 and a parent social on night 2.
Mini Family Camp follows a condensed version of this schedule.
Our activities include:Zip-line
Climbing wall
Low-ropes course
Archery
Arts & Crafts
Sports (Basketball, Baseball, Gaga Ball, Soccer, Volleyball, etc.)
Evening Entertainment (Magician, Reptile Show, etc.)
Parent Social
Bonfire
Themed meals (Hat lunch, lumberjack breakfast, twin lunch, etc.)
Activities are never the same year-to-year as we hire different staff with unique talents and interests every season!
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Families stay in either camper cabins or in dorm-style housing in the Health Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely! During your program there will be a few “parent meetings” when the camp counselors run fun games and activities for the kids, allowing time for the adults to connect with one another. During parent meetings, there is a facilitated discussion around topics of interest for each group. Topics vary, as the interests of each group can also vary. A “parent social” may also be provided for multi-day family camp programs, as an informal time for the adults to socialize with one another.
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Yes! Family Camp is for your family – whoever that includes. Please note that all participants must be registered in advance so that appropriate
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Siblings are welcome as well! It can be beneficial for non-diabetic siblings to meet other kids who also have a sibling with T1D. Plus, our camp activities are fun for everyone – we’ve never met anyone who hasn’t enjoyed some gaga ball!
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We provide all meals and snacks, but you are welcome to bring additional food if you would like. While low-carb options may be available, our camp’s menu is not specifically low-carb. Please note, that we are a peanut-free facility, so we respectfully request that you leave any peanut-containing foods at home. You will have access to refrigeration.
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Yes. Whenever possible, please let us know in advance, but we understand that schedule conflicts may arise. Letting us know in advance helps to prevent food waste and efficiently schedule our staff.
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If you are thinking about our overnight family camp program, please note that all beds are twin-sized. Temperature-controlled dorm-style housing may be available for families of 4 or less, by request. We also have a single-day mini program that does not include an overnight component. Camp does have bugs, and there is walking involved to get from activity to activity, but there is a lot of family fun to be had, and lasting friendships to be made, for both children and adults. Please note that when possible, nearly all activities are held outside.