Delivering Care Beyond the Clinic

When we think back to our childhoods, we often recall memories of simpler times, but for children living with type 1 diabetes, childhood is more complex. Time spent just being a kid must be carefully balanced with the demands of their condition.

The University of Oklahoma Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center’s Camp Blue Hawk ensures these young people with diabetes have dedicated time and space to focus on the “just being a kid” aspect of life – and what better way to do that than summer camp?

Camp Blue Hawk is an annual overnight camp for kids ages 9 to 17 years old living with type 1 diabetes. Campers come together at St. Crispin’s Conference Center + Camp in Wewoka, OK to find community with peers who face similar daily challenges and develop their independence, all while enjoying typical summer activities like swimming, hiking and ropes courses.

No child will be turned away because of inability to pay. Financial assistance is always available for those in need.

At camp, attendees are monitored by experienced medical staff including pediatric endocrinologists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, residents, medical students and champions who are also living with type 1 diabetes, easing parents’ and caregivers’ health and safety concerns for their children.

When surrounded by such a strong and knowledgeable community, campers can build their confidence, strengthen diabetes self-management skills and create long-lasting friendships. For many campers, Camp Blue Hawk is a place where they can feel like a kid first and a patient second.

While the excitement of the ropes course and the friendships formed are priceless, the reality of operating a specialized medical camp is significant. Each camper requires a level of clinical supervision that far exceeds a typical summer program. From 24/7 glucose monitoring to the specialized carb-counted meals provided by the medical staff, the "just-being-a-kid" experience at Camp Blue Hawk is made possible by a rigorous, high-cost infrastructure of care. 

This is where Camp Blue Hawk’s noble mission kicks in: No child will be turned away because of inability to pay. Financial assistance is always available for those in need.

This past summer, Camp Blue Hawk proudly awarded over $120,000 in scholarships – a testament to the belief that no child should be defined by their diagnosis or their bank account. These funds provided 110 of 120 total campers with the financial support they needed to attend.

These awards are meticulously calculated based on the Federal Poverty Level, yet the process remains deeply human. While scholarships typically range from $75 to $1,350, the camp recognizes that life doesn’t always fit into a spreadsheet. When families face the sudden weight of a job loss, divorce or family tragedy, Camp Blue Hawk steps in to bridge the gap, often providing extra support to ensure the child doesn't lose their summer sanctuary during an already difficult year.

Perhaps most moving is the spirit of the Camp Blue Hawk community itself. Year after year, many families eligible for full support intentionally request a lower scholarship amount, choosing only what they strictly need so that more funds remain available for another child.

As we approach Giving Day, we invite you to join this cycle of generosity. Your gift directly replenishes these scholarship funds, transforming hard questions about affordability into a "yes" for Oklahoma families. By supporting the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, you aren't just funding a week of camp; you are ensuring that for 120 children this summer, the only thing they have to worry about is which song to sing around the campfire.