WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29,1987, PAGE 17 15 register fordiabetic children' By MIKE JOHNSTON Parents have a tough enough time letting their children go to summer camp. But for parents with diabetic children, the decision is twice as tough. A decision which members of the Durham Region Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) believe shouldn't be that dif- ficult. "It is difficult to let go after you have had a child under your wing where you know you can take care of them," says Marlene Grass, nur- sing advisor for the Durham bran- ch. The camp Grass is referring to is Camp Huronda. Operated by the CDA, Ontario division, the camp is located on 110-acres on the shores of Lake Waseosa, near Huntsville. It offers four two-week sessions during the summer months with camp facilities for 84 boys and girls aged 8-15 during each session. Only 15 of a possible 200 kids have registered for camp this year through the Durham branch, a number members would like to see increase. There are many reasons why only 15 have registered, from lack of knowledge about the camp to a lack of money, but members of the Durham branch say one of the main reasons is a parent's inability to let go of a child. "The younger a child, the more apprehension a parent has," says Mary Todd, the camp contact per- son in Durham for the camp. Todd also chairs a parent group and her- self has diabetes. "I wish camp had been there when I needed it," she says. Kathy Sos, a member of the Durham branch, will see her daughter attend Camp Huronda this year for the first time. "I couldn't let her go but I realized I was making a big mistake making that decision for her." Grass says the two-week session at the camp is not only healthy for a child with diabetes, but it also gives the other kids in the family and the parents a two-week break period. "We also discourage parents from visiting the camp," says Grass. The cost for the two week camp is high $650 but the association pays $225 of that and if parents cannot afford the rest, the Durham branch will sponsor the child. "Therefore money should not stand in the way of a child's oppor- tunity to attend," says Todd. The camp is supported by the association, a grant from the On- tario Ministry of Health and an an- nual fundraising Ontario division sweepstakes. Todd says the sweepstakes an- nually raises $500,000. Fundraising events also assist the camp, and one such fundraiser was put on by Kathy Sos in early April. A fashion show, dinner, dance and auction held at the Oshawa Golf Club raised $5.000. The money will be presented to a representative of the camp this week, says Sos. Children are accepted for the camp on a first come first serve basis. But what always happens, says Grass, is that kids reapply for the camp. "It is inevitable that kids will only get to go once," she says. At the camp, kids are able to ride horses, canoe, play tennis, "ail the normal activities of a camp," says Todd, with one difference. "The meals are watched very closely," she says. Some of the positive aspects that come out of attending the camp are Industry expands SUSAN SOS,. 12, and models Dennis and Gloria check out some literature on camps for diabetic children during a fundraising fashion show recently. The show raised $5,000 to be given to a representative of Camp Huronda this week. Free Press photo s camp, a reduced intake of insulin and a lower blood sugar count because of the exercise," says Todd. There is also a camaraderie ai a camp because all the kids have diabetes. "The worse thing any kid wants is to be different. At the camp all the kids are the same," says Grass. "The camp will prepare the kids for a lot of lifes experiences," she adds. Besides Camp Huronda, there are two other diabetes camps in Ontario-Camp Looking Godd in Espanola and Camp Banting near Ottawa. Grass says the Durham branch relates with Camp Huronda because of the close proximity. Grass says there is nothing stop- ping a parent from registering their child at any three of the camps. Registration can also be done through the Durham branch. For more information phone, 725- 4660 or:436-6648. The Durham branch will be holding a yard sale on May 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Colombus Community Centre to raise funds for sending kids to camp. Tickets for the sweepstakes can also be purchased from any mem- ber of the Durham branch for $2. • A planned expansion of Whitby Woodwork Ltd. on McEwen Dr. has been approved by the Town of Whitby. According to plans, the expansion would nearly double the size of the existing industrial building. MM.