Frequently Asked Questions

An “ideal” Conrad Chinnock Camper is intellectually curious, environmentally adventurous, enjoys the out-of-doors, is friendly and kind and wants to have fun!

Among the tall pines of the Barton Flats Recreation Area within the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear. Office Address Diabetes Camping and Educational Services 333 City Blvd. West, 17th Floor Orange, CA 92868 Camp Address Camp Conrad Chinnock 4700 Jenks Lake Road, East Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

Teen Winter Camp & Summer Youth Sessions: All campers must check-in at the bus stop in Fontana, as campers will directly meet their counselor and fellow cabinmates which leads to stronger bonding. Don Day Community Center: 14501 Live Oak Ave. Fontana, CA 92337 You'll see our set-up on the grass near the basketball courts.

Campers are able to register for each session of each camp within the same age range, but space is limited. This means your camper has the opportunity to stay for Sessions 1 and 2. Same applies for our Youth sessions 3 and 4. While some campers find it harder to stay engage for multiple sessions, we have also received feedback from previous campers that they’ve enjoyed the program and building stronger connections when attended multiple weeks of camp. *Please note for 2025, Sessions 1 and 2 (teen camp) run back to back allowing campers to stay at camp for both weeks. Campers attending Sessions 3 and 4 (youth camp) do need to leave camp at the end of Session 3 and return back to the bus stop for Session 4.

Teen Winter Camp All teens must take the bus to and from our designated bus stop in Fontana. Family Winter Camp All families must drive to and from Camp Conrad Chinnock. Summer 2025 (Sessions 1-4) All campers must be dropped off and checked in at our bus stop in Fontana. Summer Family Camps (A, B, and Transition) All families must drive to and from Camp Conrad Chinnock. Note: For the health and safety of our campers, we will not be offering drop-off at Camp Conrad Chinnock for any teen or youth sessions.

SUMMER CAMP PACKING LIST -Diabetes Supplies (We supply all insulins, as noted within your Session Information Guide.) -CGM and Insulin Pump Supplies -Pillow -Warm sleeping bag or sheets/blankets for a twin-size mattress (there might be a night were Campers sleep under the stars) -Toiletries (brush, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine sanitary supplies, lotion...) -Shower Caddy (showers are in a separate building from cabins) -Towel and wash cloth -Bathrobe (optional for walk to shower house) -Bathing suit and beach towel -Underwear and socks -Comfortable shoes/sneakers -Warm pajamas -Flashlight -Musical instruments for campfire -Sunscreen, lip balm/Chapstick -T-shirts -Shorts -Jeans or long pants -Warm sweaters/sweatshirts -Hat or cap -Raincoat or poncho -Sunglasses -A positive attitude WINTER CAMP PACKING LIST -Brown Bag-it! (Select five unique items that your teen would like to share with others) -Diabetes Supplies (including insulin, syringes, blood testing equipment, etc.) -1 bottle of glucose tabs -Insulin pump supplies (tape, insertion sets, battery, etc.) -Other medications you are currently taking -Flashlight -Warm sleeping bag -Pillow -Personal hygiene supplies -Bath towel -Heavy, water resistant jacket or coat -Insulated, water resistant glove, mittens (two pairs) -Warm socks (bring extra pairs) -Hat or stocking cap -A positive attitude

Laundry is sent out only if your child is staying for Session 1 and 2 (teen camp) in cabin laundry bags to the Big Bear Lake Laundromat in town and comes back that evening or next day. We ask that parents send enough clothing to get a child through a week at camp, and make sure the campers name is included on all clothing. Do not pack expensive clothing, as sometimes clothes do go missing. (2025 update)

1.) Parents are encouraged to write letters and mail prior to their session. If you write multiple letters at once we'll happily distribute them throughout the week. Campers can purchase postcards and postage in our Camp store. We do dedicated one evening per session to write home as an all Camp activity. 2.) Visit our Facebook and Instagram page to track your child through pictures and videos. 3.) Communication via the telephone is not encourage to ensure a camper’s complete immersion in our Camp environment. Our Mailing Address is: Camp Conrad Chinnock Childs First and Last Name Session # 4700 Jenks Lake Road, East Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

We'll provide a packing list a few weeks prior to your childs session. We also will remind you more than once to label your child’s clothes, as if they are staying for 2 sessions their clothes are sent off premises for laundry; and, inevitably, some things go missing. As for forgotten items, don’t worry. We have daily US postal service. We have a small camp store for necessities like soap, toothbrushes and hats.

Enroll fast and early. Some age categories fill very quickly. Enroll during the December to March months to receive Early Bird incentives.

There are two ways you can donate to the Camp Conrad Chinnock Scholarship Fund. The first is mailing a check made out to Diabetes Camping and Educational Services (DCES) to the Camp office. The second option is visit our "Home" page and click the donation button. All contributions or tax deductible and come with a BIG Thank you!

Absolutely! BUT, please don’t send any food (for bug and critter reasons).

Cancellation and Refunds To continue planning for our 2024 Season and to cover expenses associated with preparations, staffing costs, and payroll; refunds will not be made after May 31st 2023 due to illness or change of heart. If you wish to cancel before that date, please notify the office in writing of cancellation to receive a refund minus your $100 non-refundable deposit. For any sessions prior to May 31st 2024, we require 10 days’ notice before your session begins in writing of cancellation to receive a refund minus your $100 nonrefundable deposit. We understand that this is an investment for our families, but we are unable to move forward if we do not secure finances. If the camp is unable to operate due to Covid State Guidelines, our office will contact you to determine how you would like your fees allocated: 1.) Refund your program fee (minus $50 non-refundable processing fee), 2.) Apply your fee to a future session, or 3.) Consider your fee a tax-deductible donation (either all or a portion of the fees that you choose)

The medical program is designed to impart self-management skills, which can lead to a longer and healthier life. All cabins are fully enclosed to accommodate eight to eleven youth and a trained counselor. Attendance at these sessions is restricted to youth and teens with insulin-dependent diabetes. All sessions are led by a physician with experience working with children and young adults with Type 1 diabetes, and a team of nurses and medical students. Under the watchful eyes of the Medical Staff, campers are encouraged to be involved with their own diabetes care. Each year at camp, many children learn to give themselves insulin injections, how to handle special occasions, try an insulin pump and learn about the importance of diet and exercise.

While parents may choose to defer the vaccination of their children, for Camp Camp Conrad Chinnock this is not an issue of individual rights and choice, but an issue of public health and policy. The routine vaccination of all campers and staff is an important public health matter especially in the confined environment of a residential summer camp with round-the-clock communal living where illnesses spread much more easily. All those who are attending Camp Conrad Chinnock are required to have age appropirate vaccines as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), with the exceptions noted. • DTaP, DT (Diphtheria,Tetanus) • IPV (Poliovirus) • HIB (Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria) • PCV 13 (Pneumococcal) vaccine • Hepatitis B • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) or serologic evidence of immunity. Adults born before 1957 are assumed to be immune to measles • Varicella vaccine (Varivax – for Chicken Pox), or serologic or historical evidence of immunity • Menactra (Meningococcal disease / Meningitis) – required for those age 11 and older •There has been a large number of flu cases in past seasons, and do not know the probability of the flu extending into the summer months. We strongly recommend that all campers and staff have received the flu vaccine. For full Immunization needs to attend Camp, please view your campers portal upon registering. To show verification simply upload your immunization record onto your camper portal.

We follow the American Red Cross guidelines and swim tests, and personalized swim instruction. Our pool does have a roped off shallow end, along with life vests for those in need.

Yes, located in Big Bear Lake & Loma Linda in Redlands.

In the event of an emergency, the emergency contacts of all campers would be notified as soon as possible via, email, EZ-Text and or on social media. Camp has emergency plans for multiple contingencies, including those that would require us to evacuate camp.

Our food is nutritious and well prepared. Our Food Service Manager along with our dietary staff provides carbohydrate counts for each meal. Assistance will be provided for youth who are unable to count their carbohydrates.

We do our best to accommodate lactose intolerant and vegetarian diets, but ask that you please contact Camp to discuss your child’s dietary needs by emailing info@diabetescamping.org It's important that you also list any special needs within your camp registration.

Returning campers are our greatest allies in making your child feel welcome and all are under the ever-watchful eyes of counselors who ensure that cabin bonding occurs and new friends are made. With the start of each session, the first thing returning campers do is to prepare to welcome the first timers. Senior campers also volunteer to “adopt” the youngest first timers for the first orientation week of camp. We have many gatherings held with Diabetes Camping Educational Services all designed to integrate new campers into our camp community and to be made to feel a special part of it.

It’s not unusual and can happen at almost any age. Our counselors are specially trained and are sensitive to the emotions experienced by campers who miss home. The most important antidotes we offer to a child who is missing home are: love, caring, sympathy and things to do to keep them busy! It is important, too, to acknowledge to the camper that what he or she is experiencing is real, that it can be painful, but with time will pass. We have a commonsense approach... i.e., keep a child that is missing home as engaged in camp life as possible and consult and work with the parents (behind the scenes) to help with the camper’s positive adjustment.

If you have an issue or concern about your child – our Directors or Camp Mentor Counselor is your primary point of contact while your child is at Camp. You may email info@diabetescamping.org or call 310-751-3057. Parents are encouraged to write letters to stay in contact with their camper, especially those who have not been away from home before.

We encourage parents to send a few letters prior to their child's session, as it's always a nice gift for the first day of Camp. All letters and packages for campers should be addressed as follows: Camp Conrad Chinnock Campers First & Last Name Session # 4700 Jenks Lake Road, East Angelus Oaks, CA 92305

After arriving at Camp each summer we’re surprised to discover how many of our campers ignore our cell phone policy and had cell phones with them. This was especially concerning because the phone policy, signed by parents and campers, specifically states that no campers should have phones, or if their phone is part of their CGM system, that their sim cards be removed (the Dexcom CGM still functions without a phone SIM card). We want our campers to gain a new level of independence through our program and not be distracted by text messages or social media during their time at Camp. Those who wish to ignore this policy may be placed on a behavior contract. Camp will not be held responsible for any lost or stolen cell phones and or SIM cards. Thank you for understanding.

We do not allow families or guests to visit Camp during our youth sessions. If you would like to meet our Staff and Directors prior to Camp we encourage all of our campers to attend our Summer Kick-Off BBQ in June or our family work weekend in April. Attending one of our Winter or Summer Family Camps is also another great option! More info. can be found on our website under the "Events" tab.

We pride ourselves on our relatively small size roughly 120 campers at any one time—as it affords a more personalized, nurturing, familial environment and experience. Campers per staff person: fewer than 3:1 Campers per cabin: 8-11 Youngest–oldest: 7-17

We recognize the individualities of each and every one of our campers, however, sleeping arrangements are split by boys and girls.

90%

The Leadership Training Program is open to teenagers ages 17 to 19, with or without diabetes, has an application process. Qualifications we look for in our counselors in training are teens that can demonstrate a level of maturity that enables them to assume responsibility and develop strong leadership skills. The applicant must demonstrate an interest in camping and show the ability to learn and work with diabetic children. Being a healthy role-model for children with diabetes is critical! Young leaders are given an opportunity to learn and explore group dynamics, human development, communications skills, recreational programming, and organization. The objective of this two-year program is to build a strong counseling staff for our program and promote leadership in our communities and at camp.

Applications are due May 2nd, 2023. However, we accept a limited amount of supreme candidates into our porgram, on a first come first serve basis.

If you have already completed the CIT program, you can apply to be on staff member directly online!

The CIT program provides a learning environment for young adults to acquire leadership skills through daily teachings at camp which can be utilized in every aspect of life. All first-year applicants complete an online application with two reference forms. Responsibilities in the first year will include learning camp operations, developmental needs of children, how to lead a group, and other key components of a camp staff member. You may assist in the kitchen, help at the pool, and work in crafts or the store. Focus will be on basic staff and leadership skills.

Individuals with camping experience, recent and older former campers, young adults from around the world, together with a core group of professionals that returns every summer to assure the preservation of Camp Conrad Chinnock, traditions and level of excellence–every single member of the Camp Conrad Chinnock staff undergoes an intense selection process that starts with the validation of a deep love and empathy for children of all ages, a pied piper like capacity for getting and keeping kids excited about the opportunities around them and a heightened sense of responsibility and common sense essential in the care and supervision of children.

We have a core group of counselors that return every summer. It maintains our spirit, traditions and level of excellence. They come from all over Southern California and farther! The balance of our counselors comes from a variety of backgrounds.

Approximately 18 - 30 years of age, with over 85% of them living with Type 1 diabetes themselves.

Over 80%

The process is not unlike a college admission or senior job position recruiting effort. It is highly selective. Even if one is a returning alumnus, we ask all of our applicants to compete for each position. We have a formal application process, which includes qualification screening, interviews, personal references and background checks.

Our staff successfully completes an intensive, 3 day, exclusive Camp Conrad Chinnock staff training program offered pre-season, every summer. We also offer pre-season lifeguard training and recertification for First Aid CPR for those positions that require appropriate certifications from staff, especially in certain more “front line” activities like swimming and adventure wilderness trips.