Teen spirit at summer camp
In January, almost 50 teenagers headed to the seaside town of Anglesea for Diabetes Camps Victoria’s teenage camp. The four-day program was a formative experience for campers and volunteers alike.
For young people living with type 1 diabetes, the pressures of being a teenager and the demands of managing diabetes 24/7 can become overwhelming. Teenage camp can be a pivotal moment for people aged between 15 and 17.
“Many teenagers experience diabetes burnout around this time, because they have been living with diabetes for many years already,” explains Youth Programs Coordinator Natalie Logan.
“There’s no break from diabetes. It can feel isolating if they don’t have others around them who understand or are experiencing the same thing.
“Ahead of this camp, 35 percent of our campers had listed depression, anxiety and/or diabetes burnout on our intake forms. It shows how prevalent this can be among this cohort.”
From the outside it looked like four jam-packed days of mountain biking, high ropes, a colour run, beach carnival and camp party, among many other activities and lots of laughs. What it meant to campers is harder to describe.
“It can be so impactful to spend a few days connecting with other people who understand almost exactly what you’re going through,” Nat says.
“The camp setting helps to normalise diabetes burnout and living with type 1 diabetes in general. It can give teens a fresh perspective, and often the feedback we get is they feel ‘less alone’ after attending our program.
“Our feedback survey in 2025 showed that 95 percent of parents reported a positive impact on their teen’s mental health and wellbeing, which is an amazing outcome.”
Camp also aims to equip teens with knowledge and skills they need as they transition from paediatric to adult care.
“Our team of health professionals and adults with lived experience provide advice and guidance,” Nat says.
“We have formal diabetes education sessions and it’s also an opportunity for campers to have casual conversations about important life skills as they move into adulthood.
“At this camp we had 20 people volunteer as mentors and leaders, and 13 of these volunteers live with type 1. Many were past campers themselves.”
Additionally, 15 health professionals also attended the camp, creating the safest environment possible for all 46 campers.
Nat says the Camp Party (a regular fixture on the itinerary) was a highlight for many.
“One of our volunteers was the DJ and lots of campers had a go on the decks, which they loved,” she says.
“It was a beach themed party, appropriate for the setting and the most popular suggestion from campers.
“The beach carnival was also very popular, despite very windy conditions. Groups competed against each other in a range of sports, covered in body paint to represent their colour group.”
For 11 campers, this was their last-ever camp (at least as a camper).
“Seeing how emotional the 17-year-olds who were ‘graduating’ from the program were at the end was really moving,” Nat says.
“I have personally known a few of them for many years attending camps and seeing and hearing how much the camps have meant to them was lovely.
“It also shows what an impact our volunteers have, as so many of them have already asked me how to apply to be a volunteer once they turn 18.
“Looking around and seeing the fast friendships formed during camp always feels very rewarding.”
Britt Denton
Communications and Media Lead
Brittany Denton is the Communications and Media Lead at Diabetes Victoria. She oversees media relations and communications, contributing to the organisation’s mission of supporting people with diabetes across the state.
