Rocky Mountain House will be the setting for one of five I Challenge Diabetes (ICD) youth retreats this year.
ICD organizers say the events, also happening on Vancouver Island, and in Ontario and Saskatchewan, are focused on empowering youth to embrace diabetes as a positive force in their lives.
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) of Canada, less than 50 per cent of people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) are diagnosed as adults.
During the camps, participants take part in activities such as white water rafting of the North Saskatchewan River and connecting with others around a campfire.
Organizers say campers build lifelong friendships, learn coping mechanisms for living with the disease, and build skills needed to become a strong leader in the diabetes community.
The event is open to high school students ages 14 and up as well as post secondary students or young adults living with T1D.
They add, participants interested in bringing a friend without T1D are welcome to.
JDRF research finds T1D is on the rise with a 34 per cent increase in new cases between 2000 and 2022. In total, the organization estimates around 300,000 Canadians live with the disease.
The local retreat takes place May 24-26 at Hela Ventures (93066 Old Highway 11A).
Click here for tickets or more information.
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