Diabetes Camps Victoria
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About diabetes camps
Diabetes Camps Victoria offers an invaluable experience for children with type 1 diabetes. This specialised camp provides a safe and supportive environment where kids can learn, grow, and connect with others facing similar challenges. With medical staff well-versed in diabetes management, children can explore various activities while receiving personalised care, ensuring their health needs are met.
Attending camps empowers children to manage their condition independently, building crucial life skills early on. They gain a sense of camaraderie, bonding with peers who understand their daily struggles, fostering a strong support network that lasts beyond the camp. Diabetes Camps Victoria combines traditional camp fun with tailored educational sessions that teach kids about nutrition, insulin management, and self-care, enhancing their confidence in handling their health.
Furthermore, the camp experience boosts self-esteem, as children accomplish new feats and overcome obstacles, proving that diabetes doesn’t limit their potential. In this nurturing setting, they can focus on personal growth, all while forming cherished memories.
Register your EOI nowKey benefits of camps
- Experience independence through adventure
- Meet and share experiences with other children and adult volunteers living with type 1 diabetes
- Create a long-lasting peer support network
- Supervision and support from a dedicated team of health professionals and volunteers in a safe environment
- Increase skills and awareness in managing type 1 diabetes in a relaxed setting
- Parent and carer respite
Who else will be on camps?
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Camp doctor
The camp doctor participates in activities during the day and is ‘on call’if needed overnight. A paediatric endocrinologist is also ‘on call’ for the duration of camp.
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2-3 Lead Diabetes Nurse Educators (DNE)
The DNEs are around to coordinate the smooth-running of the camp.
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Additional Colour Group DNEs
*Recently graduated DNEs (or student DNEs) are invited to apply as supernumerary DNEs as volunteers.
Colour group DNEs supervise or administer insulin, administer any extra medication needed and generally oversee the day-to-day diabetes management of campers.
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Night shift DNE/s
We all know diabetes doesn’t rest. This team of DNEswork overnight to ensure camper follow-up is attended to. (Junior & Senior camps)
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Wellbeing Coordinator
There is always support on hand with a psychologist, counsellor or social worker present on camp to support all attendees as needed.
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Lead dietitian
The lead dietitian ensures that the camp menu is planned according to appropriate guidelines. The dietitian also provides dietary guidance and support throughout camp along with carbohydrate counting.
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Dietitian assistants
The assistants help the lead dietitian in everyday meal planning and preparation.
*The dietitian assistant must be studying a Master of Dietetics, or have completed study as a dietitian.
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Recreation Leaders
Our recreation leaders are volunteers who support and participate in activities with campers for the duration of camp. Many of our volunteers have type 1 diabetes, and went on camp as campers!
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Exercise Physiologist
The Exercise Physiologist helps plan the active part of our program and assists with education around the importance of exercise
Important Information
All staff and volunteers must undergo an online interview, hold a Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check and a complete a Police Check and Reference Check
All medical staff must hold a Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check and a Police Check.
There is a tax-deductable fee for applying for a Working with Children Check (employee card).
For more information go to the Working with Children Check website.
Camp dates
*We are currently fundraising in order to offer more spots to children that apply for our camps. Thanks to your generous donations, we are able to run a Teenage Camp in 2026.
Unfortunately, our Senior Camp and Family Camps for 2026 are not confirmed at this time. Please continue to submit an expression of interest for these camps to help us gauge interest.
You can donate and help Diabetes Camps Victoria camps.
| 2026 Camps | Age Group | Places offered | Date | Location | Cost | Apply today |
| Teenage Camp | 15-17 year olds | 50 | Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th January 2026 . | YMCA Discovery Camp, Anglesea | $250 |
EOI have closed. Email camp@diabetesvic.org.au to be placed on the waitlist |
| Junior Camp | 9-11 year olds | 60 | Friday 10th – Sunday 12th April 2026 | Arrabri Lodge, East Warburton | $210 |
EOI have closed. Email camp@diabetesvic.org.au to be placed on the waitlist |
| Senior Camp |
12-14 year olds | 65 | TBC September School Holidays | YMCA Camp Manyung, Mt Eliza | TBC | |
| Family Camp (March) |
5-8 year olds (plus one parent/guardian) |
25 | Saturday 28th Feb – Sunday 1st March, 2026 | YMCA Discovery Camp, Anglesea | $210 |
EOI have closed. Email camp@diabetesvic.org.au to be placed on the waitlist |
| Family Camp (November) | 5-8 year olds (plus one parent/guardian) |
25 | TBC November 2026 | YMCA Discovery Camp, Anglesea | TBC |
A note on COVID-19 vaccinations;
- In line with current updated government recommendations and to maximise accessibility for children to attend our camps, we have now removed the mandatory requirement for campers to have COVID-19 vaccinations on our camps.
- However, we still strongly recommend all children that attend our camps receive a single dose vaccination prior to attending, due to the higher risk of community spread in our environment.
- We want to keep all children, staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Given type 1 diabetes is a risk factor for a severe COVID-19 infection, risks for long-term complications are significantly higher than the average population. Please keep this in mind if you choose to send your child to camp unvaccinated.
- To reduce risk and minimise spread on our camps, please note that each child, volunteer and staff member will be administered a compulsory RAT test, temperature check and symptom screening on arrival. RAT tests must be negative for your child to attend camp. Please note, if your child arrives with any cold and flu symptoms, regardless of their RAT result, they will be turned away on the day due to possible inaccuracies with RAT tests. We hope you understand this is to minimise risk of possible infection to all attendees.
Expressions of Interest
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Camper Expressions of Interest
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Volunteer Expressions of Interest