Summer camp

The first summer camp in Japan was held at a site near Tokyo in 1963. The guide book was edited by Japan Diabetes Society in 1984. In 1992, 1012 children with diabetes participated at 36 sites all across Japan. The programme is characterized by the smooth combination between education for the children and their experience of recreation. The term of the camp, staff member issues, camp operating fund are discussed. A pan-pacific international diabetes summer camp was successfully held at the Ehime prefecture site in 1989 with 56 patients from eight countries. The summer camp is evaluated for the achievement of good psycho-physical growth of the participating children and the maintenance of good control of diabetes. The problems include the term length of the camp, finding a camp site and the national and local governmental subsidy. Finally, a more effective operation with a minimum number of educators should be another concern in the future.