I am interested in learning about diabetes summer camps in Europe for my 12-year-old son. Specifically, are there any camps in Germany, France, or Switzerland?

This answer is provided by Lorne Abramson, Executive Director of the Diabetes Education and Camping Association.

There are many diabetes camps in Europe. However, they are usually very limited in the numbers of children that they can accept. This would seem to exclude campers from other countries. The other problem is insurance. The medical director would have to be involved in the situation as the camper would have no standing in the country.

Here is information about the three countries you asked about:

Germany:
German Diabetes Union
Drosselweg 16
82152 Krailing

All contact information is listed on www.diabetes-union.de. Their camps are scattered throughout the country and appear to have been filled quite a long time ago.

France:
Association Franquise des Diabetiques
14 me du Clos
Paris 75020

All contact information is listed on www.afd.asso.fr. The camps in France are very similar to England, “Holiday Family weekends.” They are very regional in nature and limited in numbers. They are mostly Family Camp events.

Switzerland:
This is the most promising BUT still limited in the numbers of campers and might be full at this very late date.

Association Romande des Camps Pour Enfants Diabetiques (ARCED)
Case Postale
1290 Versoix

The administrator is M.M. Perrenoud and he can be reached by email at [email protected]. Dr. Alexandre Maret is a Pediatric Endocrinologist, who works with their camps. His address is:

Chemin des Mampes 1
1752 Villars-sur-Glane
Cormanon, vis-a-vis de l’Espace
Nuithone

His email is [email protected]
Their camps are:
– 6 to 12 year olds, July 8 to 18, 2006
– 13 to 16 year olds, July 20 to 30, 2006

JSH