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I remember going to Camp Ho Mita Koda and learning to give myself shots. I don’t recall ever being homesick or not wanting to stay. I’d take my suitcase to the cabin kiss my parents goodbye and say, “See ya in 3 weeks”. Back then, we all had a “pee cup” and the nurses tested our urine with the little beaker with 5 or 10 drops of urine….then so many drops of water, and then you would drop a little pill into it. If it was blue, your sugar was low; if it was orange, it was high. After a few years, the urine sticks came along. After that, the blood strips came along but they didn’t have lancet devices. I can remember my mom poking me so hard with those. Then came the blood machines….put the huge drop of blood…wait so many seconds, wipe it off, wait again…flip the lid. It’s remarkable to me the advancements that have been made in diabetes care and monitoring.

Camp Ho Mita Koda was one of the best experiences in my life. I started to go there in 1977, I believe; and went until I was too old at the age of 16. I couldn’t wait for those three weeks every year. “Big George” (George Cervenka) and Camp Ho Mita Koda had such an incredible influence on my life that I can’t explain it. I am still very close with some of my camper friends these 30 years later even though I lived in Pennsylvania (which, to most Clevelanders seemed like the other side of the country).

I can rattle off a handful of names of the kids that I remember. Many had a very significant impact on my life. I may not have seen or spoken to them in 20+ years but my memories of them from HMK are still very vivid.

Phil Gall, Kevin Patterson, Jamie Wyly, Wendy Felber, Natalie Bellini, Tammy Bullard, Holly Szemplek, Rob Jevince, Tracy Mulhall, John Hetman, Adam Coffsky, Missy Waldroff, Chad Cantu, Buddy Baker, Eric Gedeon, Todd Hutlock, Zac Wehagen, Doug Williams, Doug Schwan, Stacy and Craig Braden, Willie Z., Geoff Griffiths, Janelle Murray, Eddie Yates, Dave Elkins, and so many others. (Again these are just off the top of my head). If you know of or can contact any of these people, I would love to see how they’re doing. I still have all of the letters we used to write to each other in the off season

I learned to swim for the first time at HMK and according to all the patches and awards I still have, I must have been a pretty good marksman. I remember that the end of session ‘banquet” was a HUGE deal and the “vespers” the night before the session ended were very emotional. “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold”.

I remember whoever got the most points for cleaning their cabin got a special treat (McDonald’s I believe). I remember Yetti hunting, Sadie Hawkins, the yearly “16 mile hike” (one year it started to downpour in the middle of the night and we had to pack up and get back on the bus), flying kites in the kite field, the Bear Pond, the big rock; as I type this, I’m overloaded with memories.

Anytime that I hear of a newly-diagnosed child, I strongly advocate HMK. I truly believe that HMK taught me that I wasn’t the only kid living with diabetes and that my disease wouldn’t define me. I learned that there were all kinds of kids just like me. I’m a proud HMK Kodian and I thank Dr. Henry John who founded HMK for making that possible.

Camp Ho Mita Koda in 1985-1989
Shared by: Shana (Chapman) Gamble

My name is Shana Gamble, back then my name was Shana Chapman, I attended Camp Ho Mita Koda, years 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, and I believe in 1989. My memories of camp I could actually write a book about it. My first day at camp was the orientation. The camp director when I was there I believe was George and his daughter's name was Kim. I had different colored hair beads in my hair and was scared to death, but stayed for a whole week. The first thing I remember was The Great Hall. Different colored tables inside the hall where we picked up our food, there was a panio and a stage. I remember the Frog pond that sat in the middle of the yard. The cabins had about 8 or 10 beds(that's including the counselors beds). There were always two counselors to a cabin; some names that I remember were Heidi, Chris, Geoff, Sally, and Kendra. It was so cold waking up to go to the flag, singing and lowering the flag.

We had our daily activity schedules. Swimming, Archery, Riflery, Arts and Crafts, Canoeing, Tennis and across the road was a place where we went Horse Back Riding. We even went to church. At the Tennis Court each year is where the whole camp took a picture together. I was so scared to swim, by the time camp was finished, I won a plaque for the best swimmer. The plaque was hung at the pool at the boat house. Also the big bell that told us it was time to either eat, take shots, or change to your next activity. We sung songs like Rise and Shine, The C.H.I.C.K.E.N. song, Father Abraham, The Ship Titanic. We even hiked fourteen miles to a camp ground and when we got there, there was a yellow school bus (which had the food, supplies, a great big black frying pan to cook our breakfast). I thought to myself why would they make us hike all the way up here, when we could have just taken the bus! If some of us would tire out or couldn't walk any more the vans were right with us to pick whom ever up. I also remember a shop at camp in the great hall where you could purchase stationary, sweaters with the camp name on it, shorts etc. At the end of the your camp session, there was a dance and a dinner. The day your parents picked you up was the award ceremony. Camp was the best place I loved to be at. I even signed up to become a counselor.

I was told that my daughter has type 1 diabetes on March 17, 2008. She is 11 and wants to attend camp."Your wish is my command! Any parent that has second thoughts (DON'T), your child will become strong minded about their diabetes and as they grow will become very independent and confident and comfortable about their diabetes, all because of a place called (CAMP HO MITA KODA), which means Welcome My Friend.

Camp Ho Mita Koda in 1981- 1983
Shared by: John MacAdam

"My name is John MacAdam and I attended Camp Ho Mita Koda in the early 80's (81-83, I think). My very first memory of camp was the feeling of relief that I had when realizing that I wasn't the only kid out there with diabetes. Here are some other memories in no particular order...

Quick synopsis on my current life (as of 3/08):

Long live Camp Ho Mita Koda!"

Camp Ho Mita Koda in 1981 and 1982
Shared by: Dawn M. Whalen

"I was a camper there I believe 81 and 82. I know the last year I was going to go I couldn't because I either broke my arm or cut my finger. I can't remember. I was 8 years old when I was diagnosed with diabetes. It was around Halloween when I was diagnosed because I remember being at the Halloween party in the hospital for the patients.

I absolutely loved going to camp. I think my mother sent me for the 2 weeks. It taught me a lot and also I made a lot of friends there.

I remember Joe the counsler. All the girls went ga ga over him and tried to catch him coming from the bath house. I remember sitting outside the great hall singing camp songs like "Bringing home a baby bumble bee" and "Nobody likes me" (worm song). I made my first basket there and also learned how to paddle a kayak. But some reason we call them plyaks. But needless to say I still like going kayaking every once in a while. I remember gnome hunting in the woods. And going across the road for horse backing.

I am no longer a diabetic. I had a K/P transplant back in 2004. I had a real bad time with taking care of myself and amongs other things I had gotten kidney failure and had to go on the list. I will never forget Ho Mita Koda. Ever!

Camp Alumni

Memories from the 1980's