Seventy children ages six through 12 with type 1 diabetes participated in Camp Red Jacket recently, a free, three-day program at Camp Fowler, 5851 Horseshoe Road, Orefield. Camp Red Jacket is designed to teach children with type 1 diabetes how to care for themselves and how to better manage the disease.

Now in its 14th year, Camp Red Jacket is based in a fun, camp-based setting and features arts and crafts, games, sports, blood sugar testing and educational courses on treating low blood sugars, nutrition, healthy eating, exercise, body image/self-esteem and other important skills needed for living a healthy life with diabetes.

A special treat for campers this year was the appearance of Olympic cross-country skier Kris Freeman, who met with the kids June 26.

Freeman was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 19. Since 2004, Freeman has traveled more than 120,000 miles and visited approximately 10,000 campers as part of Lilly Diabetes Camp Care. In February he competed in his fourth Winter Olympics.

In addition to Freeman, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Ryan Reed is traveling the country to share his personal story.

Reed, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago at age 17, was told he would never race again. However, once he learned about diabetes and strategies for proper management, he was back on track to pursue his dream of racing cars. In 2014, Ryan became a full-time driver for Roush Fenway Racing and an advocate for diabetes awareness. Reed is also the ambassador for Drive to Stop DiabetesSM, an educational initiative with the American Diabetes Association and Lilly Diabetes.

You can follow their summer camp journeys on Twitter: @TeamFreeBirdXC and @driverRyanReed.

Diabetes camps offer unique experiences to children in a traditional camp setting. For many children with diabetes, this can be the first step toward gaining confidence for the future and understanding they are not alone.

Campers learn critical diabetes self-management skills and many find camaraderie in the shared experiences of fellow campers.

"I'm really excited to be part of the Lilly Camp Care Package program and meet with kids face-to-face this summer," Freeman said. "When I was told I wouldn't be able to race because of my diabetes, I knew it was an obstacle I could overcome as long as I had the right people around me to help. That's why I can't wait to get to camp; I can show kids that having type 1 diabetes doesn't mean the end of your dreams."

"Having speakers come to camp with real-life experience with this disease is so meaningful for campers," said Carol Dixon, camp director of the American Diabetes Association's Camp John Warvel, in Indiana. "When Kris shares his story and talks openly about the 'good and bad,' not only do I see the children sit up and listen, they gain valuable lessons about their ability to successfully manage their disease, even with setbacks. We're glad Ryan has joined the program because that's another voice supporting what our children can do. These wonderful speakers give the campers exciting memories they will hold onto for the rest of their lives."

Lilly Diabetes has supported camps for children with diabetes for 14 years and believes attending a diabetes summer camp is an important milestone for children learning to live fully with diabetes. Since 2001, Lilly Diabetes has donated nearly $23 million in insulin, supplies, scholarships and camper and caregiver materials.

"Diabetes camps play such an important role in helping children gain confidence and self-sufficiency. Our hope at Lilly is role models like Kris and Ryan can accelerate the learning by showing what can be accomplished," Kevin Cammack, senior director, U.S. marketing, Lilly Diabetes said. "Through the expansion of the Camp Care Package program, we hope to reach more children in ways that allow them to learn while having fun at camp."

Freeman and Reed's 2014 summer diabetes camp tour began June 9. To hear or read their stories, or for more information on other Lilly Diabetes support programs, visit www.lillydiabetes.com. To find a camp, visit www.diabetescamps. org.