About Us
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.
DECA Leadership
Officers
Stephen Dauchert
Board Chair
- The Redwoods Group, Chief Marketing Officer
- Durham, North Carolina
Bill Vierbuchen,
Vice Chair
- Executive Director, Camp Nejeda Foundation
- Stillwater, New Jersey
Jenna White, BS,
Board Secretary
- Executive Director, Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Derek Rowley, MBA, Board Treasurer
- VP Operations, Form Health
- Mill Valley, California
Directors
Megan Castellano
- Managing Camp Director, American Diabetes Association
- Arlington, Virginia
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
Melissa Rearson,
MSN, CRNP
- Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Kyle Jacques Rose, MA
- Founder & Managing Director, Delta PM Diabetes
- Lawndale, California
Sarah Balch
- Senior Director, starpower (part of Real Chemistry)
- Ramsey, NJ
Staff
Lisa Gier
- Executive Director
- Boise, Idaho
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.
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.