An annual camp for young people living with Diabetes will introduce circus and performance skills to help participants manage the condition while building physical abilities and mental resilience.
Camp organiser Bundaberg Juvenile Diabetes Action Group (BJDAG) have engaged Flipside Circus to lead the fun, supported by Bundaberg Regional Council and Arts Queensland’s Regional Arts Development Fund.
Aimed at children from 0-18 years with Type 1, Type 2 and MODY Diabetes, the camp helps participants to engage in activities in a supported environment, monitored throughout by clinical professionals and past camp attendees living with Diabetes.
BJDAG President and Diabetes Educator Beth Knight said the camp was an important opportunity for children living with Diabetes to feel they are not the odd one out.
“People with Diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from anxiety or depression in dealing with their lifelong disability,” Beth said.
“Children particularly feel ‘different’ in social environments because of perceived limitations.
“The camp is one place where there are no limits and no feelings of difference.”
Beth said there was long standing research that illustrated attending camps like this contribute to positive health outcomes for children living with Diabetes.
“We expect to see that the children will enjoy their time at camp and go back to their lives refreshed and with new strategies to manage their diabetes,” Beth said.
“They will gain not only skills in diabetes management but also in circus performing, helping with their confidence.
“They will build their network of support through camp and enable them to have a long healthy life.”
Flipside Circus trainers will lead participants through a range of activities including juggling, trapeze, and spinning plates, culminating in a showcase to their families on the final day of camp.
Beth said the funding was vital for introducing new experiences and opportunities to camp attendees.
“We use this funding to help with the costs of camp and to ensure that we have enrichment activities that the campers will enjoy and will pose challenges that they can work collectively to rise above and learn new skills and knowledge,” she said.
“This funding has enabled us to have a special aspect to our camp that we would not have been able to afford to do without it.”
The Diabetes Camp will be held on 27-29 September at Chaverim.
Registrations to attend the camp are now open, closing on Friday 30 August.
For camp fees and further information, see the Bundaberg Juvenile Diabetes Action Group website.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
