The Barton Center for Diabetes Education will be hosting it's 19th Annual Auction Fundraiser on Saturday,September 30th, 2023. Our origional event in April was moved to the fall due to construction. We will be hosting up to 200 people to join us for dinner and music , to compliment our live and silent auction. All funds from this event will be used to help provide financial assistance to underprivelaged children, ages 5-17, with insulin dependent diabetes This will allow them to join us at our educational and recreational camp programs with the peers, without the worry of expense. 

The mission of The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc. is to improve the lives of children with insulin-dependent diabetes through education, recreation and support programs which inspire and empower. The Barton Center operates camping programs for children that include the Clara Barton Camp, Camp Joslin, Barton Day Camps, Family Camp, Adventure Programs, Vermont Overnight Camp, and several year-round weekend programs. In addition to our North Oxford and Charlton, MA resident camp locations, Day Camp operates programs in Greenwich, CT; Worcester, MA; and Long Island, NY. The Barton Center is a unique and wonderful place where children with diabetes and their families gather to meet with diabetes professionals and other families coping with similar daily challenges.

Regardless of which program children attend at Barton, campers from throughout Massachusetts and across the country learn that they are not alone and that education is one of the most important tools in managing diabetes. Children find camaraderie at camp as they are faced with all the typical challenges of growing up along with the heavy burden of living with diabetes and managing the disease.

Children with type 1 diabetes are facing a lifelong battle with the food they eat, activities they participate in and their body's ability to maintain safe blood sugar levels. At the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, we provide the education, knowledge and support for these youth who need to learn how to effectively manage and control their Type 1 diabetes, while still living and enjoying their lives. Those who attend our camps and not only assisted and supervised by healthcare providers and trained camp staff (many who have type 1 diabetes themselves), but they also get to enjoy the comradery of being around other youth who are dealing with the same lifelong struggle of type 1 diabetes. These youth are often somewhat isolated by their disease, as managing food intake and participation in physical activities can pose a struggle and significant health risk if not monitored properly. We strive to provide a safe educational space where these youth can be kids, have fun and learn how to live happier, healthier lives.

Diabetes clinics, and hospitals with pediatric diabetes units, typically spend a few hours each year with their diabetic patients and families. During our programs, we often spend from 48 to 288 hours with our campers and program participants. Our staff have intimate knowledge and extensive experience in dealing with the daily and nightly issues of children with insulin dependent diabetes, including checking blood glucose (BG), counting carbohydrates, and changing pump and monitor sites, as well as dealing with patient non-adherence and acting-out behaviors. During our resident programs, BG readings are obtained before each meal, at bedtime, at midnight, and often at 3:00 am. Three am checks are based on the Midnight BG level, parent, or camper request, and/or Barton Center protocols. Throughout the day and night, other readings are obtained as requested and needed by the camper, by Barton Center protocols, or parental request. There are a minimum of 5 BG readings each day and no set maximum.

With the need for medical staff presence during the duration of our camps and higher staff to camper ratios for camper safety, our program fees are more costly than other camps. Medical supplies for use during camp are secured annually through in-kind donations to help keep the cost of camp affordable. The significant increase in cost of living, increase in cost of medical supplies, building materials, heating oil, electricity and maintaining our property as well as the nationwide shortage of medical staff, has made this challenge even more pronounced.

Each year we receive applications for our Campership Program, a program that provides financial aid to underprivileged youth and their families, from about 50% of our campers.  The struggle of providing financial assistance to all that would benefit from it and keeping camp costs reasonable is ongoing. The goal is to never turn away a child who needs our programming and would not normally be able to attend due to financial limitations. Through our Campership Fund, we can provide the much-needed funding for those who are eligible and in need. Approximately forty percent of all our campers qualify for financial assistance. Awards are made on a sliding scale based on annual income and the number of family members. The scale is adjusted annually according to the U.S. Poverty Guidelines and Massachusetts Public Health Guidelines.