Jen's Story - Whay I fundraise - In March of 1996, I saw an advertisement at my college looking for Healthcare Team members at Camp Joslin. I knew that I had a job as an RN come September, but the summer was open; and after a phone interview and an offer of a summer job, I took the position, not knowing what it really had in store for me. That summer was anamazing opportunity for learning (and fun), as not much Type 1 information had been covered at nursing school. That summer, meal plans, and NPH, Lente, Ultra-Lente, and regular insulin were the norm and vastly different from the care and insulins of today. Not only did we cover the healthcare aspects for the campers and staff, but we all jumped right in there with everyone, whether it be a soccer game, fishing, weekly dances with Clara Barton Camp, Special Days, Snipe Hunts, Capture the Flag, Hike to Heck, or dining hall antics - such ascabin inspection reports, Breakfast Club and no hands meals. It was kids being kids! What an awesome privilege to be let into their lives. We (the Healthcare Team members, many of whom were new to camp) all quickly learned the camp songs and traditions, ones which we hold dear to our hearts today. I truly learned to "think out of the box" that summer. For several years, I had lost contact with camp. I knew something was missing from my life, and in 2003 and 2004, I came back to volunteer as an RN for a week in the summer. It was like I never left. I was immediately accepted into the camp community by some old faces and the many new faces as well. Things were becoming vastly different in diabetes management, however, as Lantus and Humalog joined the party. It was a big learning curve for me that summer, but information that I absorbed and brought back to my everyday practice. It truly becomes another family for you. When I got home from spending the week at camp in 2004, my then boyfriend Tim, came over to help me unpack and proposed to me that very day! What a special connection to camp that will forever be. I again lost contact with camp, but remained in contact with many of the staff throughout the year. This all changed when in 2009 I was diagnosed with diabetes. My experiences at camp allowed me to be an advocate for myself. After things settled, I remembered the special bonds made at camp as it pertained to diabetes, and knew I needed to be there again. I needed to be aroundothers with diabetes. Others don't quite understand the day-to-day living with it—the carb counting, finger sticks and pump site changes just to name a few. On a trip to Boston in 2010 for a conference, I made arrangements to meet up with some people at camp for a visit, and spoke to the Health Services Manager. I came back to camp for February WACkY weekend in 2011, and I immediately felt surrounded by love and acceptance, and people "who get it." That was very important to me emotionally. I now understood what campers and staff felt like at camp and why it was so difficult to leave after the summer. Leaving after that weekend was difficult for me; there were tears for sure. I knew I was going back into a world of people who didn't understand. But I knew I would be back. Being diagnosed with diabetes, and coming back to my first weekend program, sparked my involvement in camp as it is today. For those 2-3 days during a weekend session, or 7 days for a summer session, I can run, play, and feel young again. I feel love and "sameness" atcamp, and know that when I am having a tough diabetes management day, others there know exactly what I am going through and are there for support and encouragement. Exposure to camp has an uncanny ability to help with diabetes burnout for me. It has helped me to become a diabetes advocate, and it has helped to shape my practice as a Nurse Practitioner. It has given me many lifelong friends. I look forward to every weekend or week that I am at camp, and know that it will renew my spirit and “fill my gas tank” until the next time I am there. I have a phrase I have to repeat to myself at the end of every session that helps me get through until the next time - "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." I want EVERY kid with Type 1 diabetes to be able to experience camp. That is why I fundraise. Karl joined Jen three years ago in this endeavor and invited her to Guest Bartend with him at Bobbique as a fudundraiser for camp. We did another Guest Bartending fundraiser in 2015. When Karl opened up The Mill, he quickly offered his space for an additional fundraiser to benefit camp. We now celebreate our second annual event with more than $3,000 being donated in 2016.