About Us

Our Mission

The Diabetes Education & Camping Association (DECA) unites and advances the diabetes camp community with networking, education and innovation.

Our Vision

A World Where Everyone with Diabetes has a Place to Belong!

Core Values

Dedicated

We are dedicated to persons living with diabetes and to the diabetes camp and retreat community. We provide personal and professional experience and knowledge about diabetes, and support to the diabetes camp and retreat community.

Equity & Inclusion

We welcome all who are impacted by diabetes and are committed to listening, learning and ensuring that opportunities at diabetes camps and retreats meet unique individual needs. Our vision is a world where everyone with diabetes has a place to belong.

Collaboration

We are a robust infrastructure of collaboration, training and best in class resources that facilitates cutting edge diabetes camp and retreat communities. We are a network of passionate individuals and organizations that understand the value and importance of camp for all who live with diabetes.

Authentic

We bring and welcome authentic and passionate leadership to the diabetes camping community grounded in honesty, integrity and quality.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At DECA, our mission is to help everyone find their place in the world of diabetes camps. Diabetes finds its way into all walks of life, and therefore, diabetes camps must strongly commit to welcome all into their services and programs. We are dedicated to staying true to our mission by ensuring our camps are seen as anyone’s camp.

DECA will continue to remain current with the knowledge needed to remain sensitive to the impact of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. We value and understand the need to actively promote and enhance diversity, equity and inclusion among our campers, counselors, and staff.

This commitment will make our camps and the world a better, stronger place.

DECA Leadership

Officers

Lisa Gier, Chair

Executive Director, Idaho Diabetes Youth Programs
Boise, Idaho

Bill Vierbuchen, Vice-Chair

Executive Director, Camp Nejeda Foundation
Stillwater, New Jersey

Derek Rowley, MBA, Treasurer

VP Operations, Form Health
Mill Valley, California

Jenna White, BS, Secretary

Executive Director, Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana

Directors

Danielle Abramson, PhD

Global Head of Intellectual Property Strategy & Branding, embecta
Towaco, New Jersey

Megan Castellano

Managing Camp Director, American Diabetes Association
Arlington, Virginia

Stephen Dauchert

The Redwoods Group, Chief Marketing Officer
Durham, North Carolina

Katie Doyle

AVP, Corporate Partnerships, JDRF
Naperville, Illinois

Phyllis Kaplan

Community Engagement Manager, JDRF
Camp Nejeda Alumna
Boston, Massachuetts

Ryan McDonough, DO, FAAP

Pediatric Endocrinologist & Co-Medical Director, Children’s Mercy – Kansas City, Diabetes Center
Kansas City, Missouri

Maggie Pfeiffer, BA

Associate Director, Strategy and Operations, Eli Lilly
Indianapolis, Indiana

Kyle Jacques Rose, MA

Vice President, Intl. Diabetes Federation
Lawndale, California

Kat Shreve

Executive Director, Camp Kudzu
Marietta, Georgia

Staff

Terry Ackley, MA

Executive Director
Fort Myers, Florida

Corporate Information

Private Non-Profit Corporation

The Diabetes Education and Camping Association is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c3, private non-profit, charitable corporation.

View our IRS Determination Letter of Charitable Status.

View our IRS Form 990.

Florida Registered Charity – A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling Toll-Free 1-800-HELP-FLA or online at www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State. Registration #: CH47189.

For more information, please contact us at info@diabetescamps.org.