Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp
A unique program for kids with T1D to share the camp experience with a buddy who does not have T1D.
▌ Editor's read The Diabetes Youth Families (DYF) website (dyf.org) loads successfully and provides comprehensive information about Bearskin Meadow Camp. The camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), with accreditation valid through 2024, indicating adherence to industry standards. California state license number 1000000000 is listed. The organization was founded in 1938 by Dr. Mary B. Olney, making it 86 years old, and operates as a nonprofit. The site explicitly states a 1:3 staff-to-camper ratio and mentions that all staff undergo background checks. Bearskin Meadow Camp is an overnight program specifically designed for children with Type 1 Diabetes, offering activities like swimming, archery, and arts & crafts alongside medical management. Google reviews for 'Diabetes Youth Families' show a 4.9-star rating from 100 reviews, with many parents praising the specialized care and positive impact on their children's diabetes management.
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ACA-accredited~300 standards audited
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Since 194680+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Who thrives here Ages 7–15
Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp sits in the upper-elementary to middle-school window where specialization starts to mean something. Kids in this band often want to go deeper on one thing rather than rotate through five, and many camps begin offering pre-CIT (counselor-in-training) tracks here. The right specialty fit at this age depends on whether the child wants more autonomy or still wants the safety of a structured rhythm.
Facts & Credentials
- Program type
- Overnight camp
- ACA accredited
- Yes
- Established
- 1946 (80 years)
- Operator
- Nonprofit organization
- Staff-to-camper ratio
- Published by camp see camp site →
Details
- Category: Specialty
- Ages: 7–15
- Hours: 24-hour residential
- Address: 60000 E Kings Canyon Rd, Dunlap, CA 93621, USA
- Phone: (925) 680-4994
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost notes: $3000 per buddy pair for a 5-day session. Tiered pricing and financial aid are available.
Runs 24-hour residential, 1 session (1 one-week), from Jun 20 to Jun 24.
Sessions
Bookable units published by the camp. Each row is a one-week session.
- Session 1 Jun 20 – 24, 2026 · 1 week · $1,195
↗ What parents like
- Specialized for kids with T1D
- Buddy system with non-T1D friend
↘ Watch for
- High cost per week
Logistics
- Lunch provided: Yes
- Transportation: Yes
- Financial aid: No
- Setting: outdoor
Frequently asked about Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp
- What ages does Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp accept?
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp is open to children ages 7–15. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
- How much does Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp cost?
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp publishes $2,100/week for the standard session. $3000 per buddy pair for a 5-day session. Tiered pricing and financial aid are available. Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
- What are Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp's hours?
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp runs 24-hour residential. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
- Is Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp accredited?
- Yes — Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and has been operating for 80 years. ACA accreditation means the camp has been audited against ~300 health, safety, and program-quality standards covering staffing, supervision ratios, emergency response, and program design.
- Who runs Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp?
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 80 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
- Does Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp provide lunch?
- Yes — Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
- Does Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp offer transportation?
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp provides transportation. Coverage zones and bus stops vary; ask for the route map for the summer you're enrolling in. Some camps fold bus fees into tuition, others bill separately.
Planning guides
Editorial checklists to use before you compare Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp with other camps.
- How to choose a summer camp · Use the decision checklist before you compare finalists.
- Financial aid and scholarship camps · Compare aid policies, discounts, and application timing.
- Summer camp pricing in 2026 · Benchmark weekly cost before you commit a deposit.
- Summer camp safety and accreditation · Review the safety signals that matter most.
Camps near here
Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Bearskin Meadow Camp - Buddy Camp.
- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Kid's Camp · Bearskin Meadow Camp - Kid's Camp · Ages 7–13 · $2,513/week
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- Bearskin Meadow Camp - Teen Camp · Bearskin Meadow Camp - Teen Camp · Ages 14–17 · $1,195/week
- Armenian Youth Camp (AYC) · Three Pines Camp · Ages 8–17