Type 1 Residence Camp

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do campers sleep?
Campers sleep in cabins. All cabins are screened, have ceiling fans, electricity and an emergency phone that is connected to the dispensary. The boys cabins are separate from the girls cabins. Each cabin can accommodate eight campers and two counselors.

Do the cabins have beds?
Cabins have cots and mattresses. Campers bring their own sheets, blankets and pillow.

Do counselors sleep in the campers’ cabins?
At least two counselors are assigned to each camper cabin and stay overnight in the cabin.

What is the staff to camper ratio?
There is at least one staff member for every five campers.

Do the staff members have diabetes?
Many of the camp counselors have diabetes and serve as positive role models for the campers.

How old are the counselors?
Camp counselors are 18 years and older.

Is diabetes education offered?
Please CLICK HERE to learn about education at Camp Ho Mita Koda.

Can you tell me about the medical program at camp?
Please CLICK HERE for information about Camp Ho Mita Koda's medical program.

Who is the medical staff?
Camp Ho Mita Koda's Medical Director is a pediatric endocrinologist. The Health Manager is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator. Representatives of the Senior Medical Staff (physicians and diabetes specialists from The Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, Rainbow Babies and Children’s, University Hospitals, and other area medical facilities) visit camp to review current care with the dispensary staff, and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. An RN is always on duty in case of emergency. Dietitians, dietetic technicians, and dietetic interns from Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland and other institutions around Northeast Ohio complete the medical staff.

How many times a day does my camper have to test?
Each camper tests his/her blood glucose at least four times a day. Testing is supervised by camp staff and results are recorded. Campers may test more frequently if necessary.

Will I get a copy of my child's blood glucose test results?
Parents receive a photo copy of their camper’s blood glucose records and a set of homecoming instructions at check-out on the last day of the camp session.

Can my child change his/her own site?
Campers are supervised by the dispensary staff when changing infusion sites.

Does camp supply diabetes supplies?
Camp Ho Mita Koda supplies insulin, test strips, lancets, syringes, and meters. Campers with insulin pumps must bring their own infusion sets. Camp does not supply insulin pumps.

Does my child have to give his/her own injections?
Campers are encouraged, although not required to give their own injections.

Are snacks required? What kinds of snacks are available?
Morning and mid-day snacks are determined on an individual basis. Bedtime snacks are required for all campers. A variety of snacks are offered each day. Examples of snacks are fruit, animal crackers, goldfish crackers, or cheese.

What do campers eat? What is a typical meal?
A registered dietitian plans and supervises three well-balanced meals at camp each day. Meals are prepared by professional cooks and may include camp favorites such as macaroni and cheese, grilled peanut and butter sandwiches, calzones, hamburgers, chicken breasts, salads and fruit cobbler.

What kinds of programs and activities are offered?
Our daily schedule is a combination of scheduled group activities and camper selected activity periods. Please CLICK HERE to read more about the programs and activities offered at camp.

Do you offer a horseback riding program at camp?
Horseback riding is an optional camp program. Campers must be pre-registered and pre-paid to participate. Registration and payment for this program will not be available at check-in. CLICK HERE for more information and a registration form.

Do campers choose their own activities?
Campers in 5 and 12 day sessions choose their own activities at the beginning of each week. Campers in the 3 day session participate in designated activities as a cabin group.

Can I visit my child while they are at camp?
Visits during camp can distract from the campers experience and often will trigger homesickness. We ask that parents do not visit during camp. You may tour the camp, meet the staff, and see the program areas at Open House, check-in and on the day of departure.

Can I send mail or a care package?
Campers love to receive mail from home. Care packages are permitted; however, they must not contain food, candy, gum or electronics. Parents can also leave any mail or care packages with our counselors at check-in if they want their camper to receive it on a specific day. Mail and packages should be addressed with the camper’s name to Camp Ho Mita Koda, 14040 Auburn Rd. Newbury, OH 44065.

What are some things I can send to my camper?
Cards, stationary, disposable cameras, games, magazines, or books are very popular items.

My child has never been away from home before. How can I prepare them for camp?
We would encourage you to bring your child to camp before the start of your child’s session. Open House or Mini Camp (for children ages 4-8) provide opportunities to see the camp, the camp facilities, and meet the staff. Children will have the opportunity to see the camper cabins where they will sleep, the dining hall where they will eat, and the dispensary where they will receive diabetes related care. They will also have opportunities to participate in some typical camp activities (i.e. free swim, organized games). These opportunities to become more familiar with the camp environment and may help ease some of the child’s concerns. Other ways to prepare your child for camp can include involving them in planning for camp, talking openly about their concerns, having them spend the night at a friend or relatives home, talk about all the fun they will have at camp, and looking at the camp website’s Photo Gallery together.

It is strongly recommended that parents do not tell their child that they can call and come home if they don't like it. Children who are told this have an extremely hard time getting over their homesickness. We want all campers to enjoy their camp experience and feel safe, happy and independent.

How does camp handle homesickness?
Missing home or being anxious about being away is natural for campers. Mild cases of homesickness are normal when a child is making adjustments in a new environment. Our staff training and orientation addresses homesickness and how to respond appropriately. In unusual cases of persistent homesickness, the Camp Director will communicate with the camper’s parents to determine an appropriate resolution.

Can my child call home while they are at camp?
We do not permit phone calls during residence camp. If you have a concern about your child during his/her session, please contact the Camp Director.

Who should I call if I have questions about my child while he/she is at camp?
All questions and inquiries should be forwarded to the Camp Director.

What if my child wets the bed?
Counselors are trained to handle bedwetting by being discrete and will privately help the camper gather items to be laundered. If a child wets the bed, parents need to provide rubber sheets, extra bed linens, and any additional supplies for their child. Camp does not supply Goodnights or Pull-ups.

What should we pack?
We have a full packing list on our website to use as a guideline. Please CLICK HERE for the list.

Can my child wash clothes at camp?
Laundry facilities are not available at camp.

My child has a friend who will be attending camp. Can they stay in the same cabin?
The camp registration form has a designated field where campers can indicate the names of other same-age campers with whom they would like to share a cabin. Every effort is made to honor requests but no guarantees will be made. All cabin assignments are arranged prior to the start of camp and cannot be altered at check-in.

What is the cancellation policy?
A complete refund (minus the $25 registration fee) will be given for written cancellations received by the Camp Manager at least 14 days prior to the start date of the session which your child is enrolled. No refunds will be given for cancellations at any other time. If a camper does not show up for his/her session or leaves before the end the session for any reason (including homesickness or being sent home for a violation of rules), no refund is given. Camp fees will not be pro-rated if a camper leaves a session before its completion. Advance notice of cancellation will allow us to fill your valuable space with another camper. Camp fees are not transferable to other camp programs.

Does my child need to bring any money to camp?
Campers should not bring money to camp. Campers who wish to "shop" at the camp store must establish a store account at the time of registration. Establishing a store account for your camper is optional. Campers can purchase items from the camp store using their store account only; cash will not be accepted from campers at the store. Store accounts can only be established at the time of online or mail-in camp registration. Accounts cannot be established when you arrive at camp for check-in.

Is there financial assistance to attend camp?
Yes, camperships are available. The campership application is June 1, 2007. Please CLICK HERE for more information and to download an application.

When is check-in?
Camper arrival time ("Check In") on the first day of each Type 1 residence camp session is from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM. Staff will not be available before 1:00 pm to accommodate early arrivers. Campers will be permitted to unpack and set up their bed after 1:00 pm and after their registration is complete.

What happens at check in?
Please plan on spending approximately one hour at camp with your camper to complete check-in. Parent(s) and campers will visit three stations at check in.

1. The first station you and your camper will visit is the Registration Table. You will be asked to turn in your completed forms and make a nametag. Cabin assignments will be given at this time.
2. The second station is the Nutrition Table. At this table you will meet with a member of the Nutrition Staff to review your camper’s diet history form.
3. The third station is the Dispensary. At this station, you and your camper will meet briefly with a member of the Medical Staff.

After you have visited each station, your formal check in is complete. You may help your camper settle into his/her cabin, unpack, meet camp staff, tour the camp, and ask any questions that you may have. Open swim for campers will begin after 3:00 pm when check-in is complete.

When is check-out?
A campfire on the last evening of each camp session is a favorite tradition at Camp Ho Mita Koda. The campfire will begin immediately following dinner at approximately 6:00 PM. Parents are encouraged to attend this activity with their campers. Parents wishing to participate should arrive at camp between 5:30-6:00 PM on the last day of their camper’s residence session. (We cannot accommodate families for dinner). At 6:00 PM parents may join their child at the campfire. When the campfire is over, formal check-out will begin. To ensure the safety of our campers, a new check-out policy will be in effect for 2007.

1. All campers and parents must return to their campers’ assigned cabin immediately following the campfire.
2. Camp staff in each cabin will verify the Photo ID of the adult picking up the camper. The bottom portion of the "2007 Parental Permission for Release of my Child from Camp" form will be completed and signed.
3. Group photos, camper contact lists, blood glucose records and any additional camper paperwork will be distributed in the camper cabin.
4. Campers gather packed belongings and depart. (Camper cabins will not be accessible during dinner or during the campfire. Belongings cannot be loaded into cars until a camper has been released from camp).
5. Parents/guardians who wish to consult with the dispensary staff may do so after they have completed formal check-out in their cabin.
6. If you will be picking up your camper at any other time, you must inform the Camp Director in writing on the day of check-in. We cannot accommodate check-out during dinner or during the campfire.
7. Parents arriving after 7:30 PM on the departure date will be charged a late fee for child care of $20.00 for every hour, or portion thereof, that they are late.