ADA Montana Youth Retreat

August 3-5, 2007

Last week, I got the opportunity to go to Big Timber, Montana for a diabetes camp. I actually stayed in Bozeman, Montana, which is about an hour west of Big Timber. Montana is such a nice state to visit. The day before the camp, I went to Yellowstone National Park with my mother, and that was beautiful. I have never seen such a nice park before, and I was glad that I go to see Old Faithful as well.

The next day I went to the camp. This camp was way back in the mountains, but was very nice and beautiful in the mountains. The camp had at least 10 dorms, a putt–putt course, a nice river for swimming, a dining hall, and an entertainment hall. When I arrived at the camp, there were two sets of groups, the younger kids and the older kids. When I got to the camp, the older kids were on a overnight hiking trip from last night into today. They were supposed to arrive back at the camp in the late afternoon. So, while the older kids were gone, I got to meet and talk with the younger kids. While I was there, we went to the entertainment hall and made diabetes awareness bracelets and necklaces, as well as painted masks for their 'fun' dance that night. Then I spoke to the younger kids about diabetes awareness, advocacy, and bills/laws.

When the older kids arrived in the mid-afternoon I got to talk to them, as well as do an exercise with them. The exercise was to teach the kids how a bill/law was made in the state or federal government. We had two groups of three and one group of five. The two groups of three were the House of Representatives and the Senate. The group of five were the Congressman who 'made-up' the bill and presented it to the House, Senate, and the citizens (the on–lookers). This was successful, and was a great way to get the kids involved with it as well. I am glad that they had fun with it, as well as getting to interact and make a bill themselves.

I'd like to hear from you! Email me at nya@diabetes.org.

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