A diabetes diagnosis can be such a difficult time for a child — there are so many questions and so many things to learn. D-Camps (new window), a camp program for children with diabetes run by Diabetes Canada (new window), helps kids find those answers, provides a supportive community, and of course is a great deal of fun.
A big part of D-Camps is skill development. Through our Youth Making Change (new window) initiative, Makers Making Change (new window) has partnered with D-Camps to bring STEM programming through device builds and events to their campers.
Emmett (top left) participating in a build event.
For eight-year-old Emmett, one of his favourite parts of attending his first camp at Camp Jean Nelson in Water Valley, Alberta in May was a Makers Making Change device build, where he got hands-on experience making Light Touch Switches (new window) and Raindrop Switches (new window) that will go to people with disabilities.
While he found it challenging, it was the kind of challenge the science-minded Emmett likes. In particular, he loved learning how to solder, and enjoyed making the devices so much that he took part in two builds.
“I like how things work,” Emmett explains of his interest in STEM.
Emmett has 18p Deletion Syndrome, causing speech apraxia and affecting his motor skills. Having used assistive switches himself, and having many friends who use them, he appreciated the chance to help other people with disabilities.
“I like to help other people and kids,” he shares.
“One of the things that was really neat for Emmett was that he was able to identify friends that would benefit from the types of things he was learning to make, because he does have friends who do use switches regularly,” explains his mother Jacintha, who is also an assistive technology facilitator and has been making switches of her own.
Emmett hopes to participate in more Makers Making Change events in the future. He has a budding interest in STEM – having drawn designs for a flying car – perhaps with a future as an inventor or maker.
With the build events, campers get hands-on STEM experience and learn new skills, all while increasing their awareness and understanding of people with disabilities while serving their local community.
This year, Makers Making Change has hosted events at the Camp Jean Nelson family, junior, and senior camps, as well as at Camp Briardale for Manitoban campers in Lake of the Woods, Ontario in August.
“As a previous camp professional and current STEM educator, I loved to see campers getting hands on experience with new skills. I thought it was a fantastic activity that should be utilized in more youth programs to provide a safe place for kids to explore as well as provide good for the community,” says Ethan Pullan, a math teacher in the Calgary School District and previous D-Camps head counsellor.
The D-Camps events are run by MMC junior mechanical engineer, Tyler Fentie, who himself is a former D-Camps participant and counsellor, a chance to give back to the D-Camps community and share his love for STEM.
“I got into the camp like two weeks after I was diagnosed, which genuinely, not figuratively at all, saved my life,” Tyler shares. “They really taught me how to count carbs, how to administer insulin, the whole [thing], like I got a crash course in a week on how to do that, with being in a community of Type 1’s.”
Makers Making Change looks forward to hosting more events with D-Camps.
