FAQS

How much will camp cost my camper?

Camp Bluebonnet is a weeklong day camp that is open to children who have diabetes and a limited number of siblings. The cost for a camper to attend the week long camp is $335 per camper.

Why is the cost of camp increasing?

As we prepare for our next camp year, we are adjusting our numbers to make sure we can continue holding this camp year after year. [According to ACA (American Camp Association), the average daily per-person fee for day camp among camps that primarily offer a non-medical based day camp (meaning, it makes up 50% or more of their programming without additional needs) is $178.49. In the last two years, camp tuitions have increased quite a bit. This, according to the ACA, is due in part to “significant cost inflation]. We do understand that this may make a change in your decision to sign up for camp - but PLEASE, don’t let the price stop you. We offer scholarships, so please look for more information below.

What are these programs and who can attend?

Camp Bluebonnet is a weeklong day camp that is open to children who have diabetes and a limited number of siblings. We accept children who have completed kindergarten and will be attending 1st grade the following fall. We accept kids as Camp Bluebonnet campers up until they turn 18 years old.

Campers going into high school have the option to be Leaders in Training, (LITs) where they do activities with younger kids and receive service hours for the week or they can be a camper and do activities with campers of similar ages.

Anyone over 18 years old is welcome to volunteer.

CB Saturday for LITs is a one-day retreat for any of our Camp Bluebonnet campers who will be serving as LITs. The kids do lots of great activities, they get to know each other before camp, and they complete any required LIT training before camp. Additionally, they have the opportunity to practice diabetes care away from home, but with the support of adults who are familiar with diabetes. This is a free event for LITs.

CB Saturday is a one-day program designed for kids who have diabetes but who are not yet old enough to attend Camp Bluebonnet. CB Saturday is also available to any elementary or middle school-aged child who may need a practice day before attending the week-long Camp Bluebonnet. A parent or guardian must attend CB Saturday with their child for the entire day and provide all diabetes management and additional supervision. Siblings may also register and attend CB Saturday. We will spend the day doing some fun activities, making some new friends, and enjoy being around other people who also deal with diabetes every day. Any registered CB Saturday Camper and their family are invited to attend Camp Bluebonnet Family Day on Friday of Camp Bluebonnet. (8:45-12:30).

What's a LIT?

A LIT or Leader in Training our program for our high school aged campers, (going into 9-12th grade the following fall). LITs are assigned to younger groups of campers and do camp activities with the younger kids for part of the day. A LIT will earn service hours for the time they act as a LIT at Camp Bluebonnet. All high school aged kids register the same way and pay the same Camp Bluebonnet fee as all the other campers. All LITs must register for CB Saturday where they will do training and get to know each other.  

When are these programs?

Camp Bluebonnet: June 10-14, 2024 (Monday- Thursday; 8:30AM-3:30PM, Friday; 8:30AM-12:30PM).

CB Saturday: April 27th, 2024 9:30AM-3PM.

Where are Camp Bluebonnet and CB Saturday?

All of our programs are held at Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children, 19051 FM2484, Killen, TX 76542.

Google Maps: Click Here 

How do I REGISTER?

All registration material can be found on our website beginning on November 1st. Only complete registrations with payment will ensure your child a spot at camp. After we reach 200 campers for Camp Bluebonnet, we will start a waitlist. Only children who have diabetes will be added to the waitlist. Complete registration includes the online form, all the waivers through Sign Now, updated medical form, immunization records, and payment. Once the online registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. If you have any questions, contact us below!

Can all my children attend?

We have limited space for siblings.  You must complete the same application for all your kids. We will only accept siblings of kids who have diabetes and are registered campers. We will be closed to siblings when 175 campers have been registered so that we can accept all the kids who have diabetes who want to attend. We do not keep a waitlist for siblings. Once we register 175 campers, we will no longer register any siblings.

Will my kids be together at camp?

We group campers based on the grade they are going into in the fall of the next year.  If your kids will be going into the same grade, they will be together; if not, then they will be placed in different groups. Use the grade your child will be in for the fall of 2023 for the online registration. 

How can my kids get to Camp Bluebonnet?

We have buses leaving from the north, central and south Austin and from Temple. Details about buses will be available on the registration page. If you want your child to ride a bus-even for one day, please register them for your chosen stop. The cost to register for the bus is separate than the camp fee. Each bus is limited to 40 campers. A Bus Liaison and 1-3 Medical staff will also ride each bus every day. Driving out to camp is also an option. We do not provide transportation for CB Saturday. 

If I drive my child to camp, is there anything for me to do?

Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay at camp during the day, we will just need you to sign in at the Welcome Office at Peaceable Kingdom. We schedule guest speakers every day for adults at camp who aren’t actively minding the campers. Friday is Family Day. We have an awards ceremony and then parents can follow their child’s group around for the day’s activities. Our camp sponsors also come out to camp on Friday to speak with the campers and families about diabetes supplies and management tools. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to volunteer for all or part of the day or week. You are also free to just hang out at camp, check-in with your child when you want, talk to people and make some new friends. We will need you to check in with the Welcome Office and sign a waiver every day.

So, I can just come to camp with my kids?

Sure. We would love to have you. If you feel the need to keep your eyes on your kids, we understand. We have all been there. Diabetes affects the whole family and Camp Bluebonnet is a place where the whole family can find support.

How can I volunteer?

Our volunteer application can be found online. We have lots of ways to volunteer. Medical Staff Volunteers are asked to volunteer for at least two days and have relevant medical training. Email at camp.bluebonnet@gmail.com us if you're not sure which option is right for you.

We appreciate volunteer applications be completed as soon as possible. We accept volunteers for any number of days or parts of days. An online Child Abuse Prevention class must be taken through Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom and must be completed. We will also complete background checks on everyone who volunteers with us.

Volunteer Positions

  • Group Leader-5 day commitment (10-12 positions)

  • Medical Staff-at least 2-day commitment-must have some medical training or be in a school in a medically related field (25-30 positions)

  • Bus Liaison-5 day commitment preferred (5 positions)

  • Bus Medical Staff (10-12 positions)

  • Activities Helper (3-5 positions)

  • Arts and Crafts Helper (2-3 positions)

  • Floater (3-5 positions)

 

What can I do if I can't afford the camp fees?  

We have a limited amount of financial aid for Camp Bluebonnet available for kids who have diabetes. If you would like your child to be considered, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/5FwtqKFgKpjYmYC19. We will email you to let you know how much of the fee we can cover and what your portion will be. At this time, we do not have financial aid available for siblings. If you would like to help us sponsor some kids, please let us know.

Who will be caring for my child at camp?

We have at least 2 volunteer Group Leaders with each age group at camp.  The Junior League of Austin grants many of these volunteers to us.  We also have at least 2 volunteer medical staff who supervise diabetes management. Several CITs are also assigned to each group. These kids will be doing camp activities with the younger kids. Additionally, some groups are assigned parent volunteers.

What do my kids need to bring to camp?

Campers need to bring a lunch every day. It should be in a gallon Ziploc bag, labeled your child's name and group/grade and with the carb count of each food item written in permanent marker on the bag. These will be stored at room temperature. PKRC is NUT FREE! No nuts of any kind may be brought to camp.

Campers need a swimsuit, towel, water shoes, and a backpack or bag that will zip closed. Closed toed shoes must be worn around camp.  Water activities are the only exception.  All campers and all volunteers must wear our current camp shirt each day.

What about snacks?

We provide two snacks each day. The kids also get a sugar free Popsicle at the end of the day. Medical staff volunteers have juice, glucose tabs, and snacks to treat low blood sugar as needed. We have gluten free snacks for campers who have documented on the medical application that they have celiac disease.

Do my kids need to bring their diabetes supplies?

We provide all the testing supplies, snacks, sugar tablets, etc. at Camp Bluebonnet. We will even have these on the buses. If your child uses injections, we have insulin and syringes. If your child uses a pump, we ask that you fill their pump up and change their infusion site before camp and as needed at home, but if they lose a site or run out of insulin, we can take care of that (with some exceptions). Please leave all PDAs at home unless a bolus cannot be given any other way (i.e. for the Omnipod). If your child must use a PDA, please label it with his or her name.  CGMs can be used at camp, but we cannot replace a sensor if it comes out.  Please label pumps, CGM receivers, and transmitters with your child's name.

There is not Internet access at camp so the Dexcom Share app will not work. Please don’t send a phone to camp with your child. Volunteers will not hold your child’s phone. Camp Bluebonnet or any of our volunteers will not be responsible for your child’s phone at any time during the camp day. (See the document entitled Camp Bluebonnet Medical Protocol for detailed information).

You will need supplies for the car ride to and from the bus stop or to and from camp each day.

For CB Saturday, every camper needs to bring their own supplies. All campers who are not in 8th grade or higher will need to have an adult register with them. This adult will manage diabetes care during the event. We will have parent volunteers who will supervise the diabetes care for CITs, but the CITs will be expected to manage their own care. 

What will my kids do at camp?

We have lots of activities during all our programs.  These include swimming, arts and crafts, medical education, high ropes and challenge course, putt-putt golf, and lots more. Friday is Family Day.  We encourage parents and caregivers to attend. We will start the day with an awards ceremony and then we will have a half-day of camp. Companies who have supported camp are invited to come on Friday to tell people about their products and give away samples. 

What if I have more questions?

For more details see Parent Information Document or you can email questions to camp.bluebonnet@varietytexas.org.