2026 DECA Program Conference with NVF Camps Meeting – Diabetes Education & Camping Association
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2026 DECA Program Conference with NVF Camps Meeting

Click here to view a picture of the conference schedule
A PDF version of the schedule will be available shortly before the conference begins!

Speaker Bios

Conference Supporters

Conference Photo Scavenger Hunt! – Info and Rules

Sunday, February 15
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Pre-Conference Networking Social

Bivouac Ciderworks

3986 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104

Join us Sunday evening at Bivouac Ciderworks to kick off the DECA conference with connection, conversation, and a little camp-inspired fun.
Bivouac is a women-powered craft beverage company rooted in inclusivity, adventure, and community, making it a perfect fit for DECA. Inspired by off-trail exploration and campfire connection, Bivouac creates ciders meant to be shared on the trail, by the water, or gathered together. Attendees will enjoy: three complimentary cider tastings, one free drink ticket, non-alcoholic cider options, an epic s’mores bar, and a Mediterranean mezze grazing station.
This relaxed event is a great way to meet fellow attendees, reconnect with colleagues, and jump-start the DECA Photo Scavenger Hunt, which opens at 6:00 p.m.

For those driving themselves, North Park Garage located at 3829 29th St. is conveniently located just one block away.

Monday, February 16
7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

Check-In / Coffee

Outside Conference Meeting Rooms (Pacific CDE)

Monday, February 16
7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

General Session 1

Main Room (Pacific CD)

Welcome

Opening Keynote:  Mark Heyman, PhD, CDCES
“More Than Numbers: An Operation System for Building Confidence & Resilience with T1D”

Dr. Mark Heyman will introduce an “operating system” for supporting people with type 1 diabetes that goes beyond blood sugar management and focuses on the psychological and behavioral skills that drive long-term well-being.  Attendees will learn practical tools for building confidence, emotional resilience, and sustainable self-management habits and who to apply them in the camp environment.  This session bridges education and mental health to help professionals support the whole person with T1D – not just manage the numbers.
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
8:45 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

Breakout Session 1

Main Room (Pacific CD)
Nutritional Considerations in the T1D Camp Setting

Danielle Dimengo, MS, RD, LD, CDCES

Review of the Medical Nutrition Therapy recommendations for individuals with T1D, including carbohydrate counting, balanced plate method, physical activity recommendations, effects of protein, fat, and fiber on blood glucose control. Dive into current/trending dietary patterns including the Mediterranean diet, Ketogenic diet, Vegetarian diet, and Intermittent Fasting.

Breakout Room (Pacific E)
Connecting with Communities Outside of Camp

Patricia Clark

This session will dive into the positive effects of non-summer programming. We will discuss the year-round programs that Camp Kudzu operates. We are also going to talk about how you can take some of these community and non-summer programs and do them in your area. With these programs outside of camp we have seen growth in the mentality of our community as well as growth in our program attendance.

Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 827 8858 2130

PW:  deca26rm

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

Breakout Session 2

Main Room (Pacific CD)
Wellness in the Woods: Supporting Psychosocial Needs at Independent Camps

Lauren Figg, MSW & Whitney Wright
 
Attendees will:
– Identify emerging psychosocial and mental health needs impacting campers and staff
– Understand common challenges and limitations
– Explore future opportunities for building sustainable psychosocial supports at camp

Breakout Room (Pacific E)
Beyond Brainstorming: Practical AI Strategies for Nonprofit Grant & Donor Solicitation

Adam Johnson

Need a development boost? Join us as we take a sample project from zero to launch, focusing on tangible outcomes. We’ll start with AI to align the mission and vision of future grantors, sponsors and donors and move into using powerful AI writers for core content, and then dive in Canva’s AI features (Magic Write, Magic Design, Text-to-Image) to quickly produce on-brand visual assets. By the end of this session, you’ll see exactly how to blend these technologies—not just for generating text, but for creating a full project proposal, presentation, social media graphics, and promotional videos. Learn the best prompt engineering techniques for each specific platform.
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 827 8858 2130

PW:  deca26rm

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Lunch / General Session 2

Main Room (Pacific CD)

Lunch

Matching Friends and Matching Funds

After lunch, we’re thrilled to welcome Insulet back to the conference for a high-energy, interactive fundraising session in support of camperships. This fast-paced opportunity is designed to help camps activate their networks and maximize real-time giving. To make the most of this session, please ensure your team is prepared: we strongly recommend having an off-site board member (ideal) or another key camp leader available and on call during this session to support outreach and decision making.
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Breakout Session 3

Main Room (Pacific CD)
Right Strategies, Right Fit – Staff Recruitment Across Different Camp Models

Facilitated by John Latimer
 

 Recruitment challenges look different across camp models, sizes, and communities. In this facilitated, peer-driven session, participants will break into small groups with similar camps to share what’s working, where challenges remain, and what support is needed.

The conversation will focus primarily on recruiting summer and medical staff, with time also devoted to camper recruitment. Participants will leave with new ideas from peers and the opportunity to share insights that can help inform how DECA supports the community moving forward.

Breakout Room (Pacific E)
Growing with Care: Expanding T1D Enrollment While Strengthening Safety and Support Systems

Caitlin Carroll, MSW

With the diagnoses of new onset T1D rising dramatically since 2001 in individuals under the age of 20 years old, camps nationally are welcoming youth with T1D at an alarming rate. The opportunity to expand enrollment specifically for campers with T1D brings critical questions about safety, staffing and sustainability. This hands-on, collaborative session will guide camp professionals through the process of how to intentionally grow their T1D camper population by assessing risk, identifying barriers and by the end leave with a tangible plan that they can take back to discuss with their team and board members. This session is designed for camps who have 80 campers or less with T1D in any given session.
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 827 8858 2130

PW:  deca26rm

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
1:35 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

From Experience Through Impact: Influencing Research, Funding, and More for the Future of Camp

This session will be conducted through facilitated focus groups, with participants pre-assigned to ensure balanced perspectives. At the start of the session, a brief overview of each focus group will be shared so attendees understand the full scope of work underway. Focus group topics include:

A new study to evaluate the impact of diabetes camps

An insurance payer pilot exploring opportunities for medical insurance support for camp participation

Pro bono donations and volunteer engagement from industry partners

Diabetes stigma and its relationship to the camp experience

Guidelines for diabetes camps

While participants will engage in one focus group during the session, a brief cross-group update will be shared at the end to highlight key ideas and build excitement. After the conference, DECA will continue this work with the focus group leads to refine next steps and advance each initiative, with opportunities for all members to engage and benefit from every area of focus. 
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Unlocking Industry Resources through Speed Networking – Diabetes Technology, Donations to Camps, and More

 
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 893 8121 3969

PW:  deca26main

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Monday, February 16
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Breakout Room (Pacific E)
Camp Swap

Facilitated by Jenna White

Be sure to join us for the Annual SWAG Swap! Laughter, imagination, and curiosity make this event one of the best attended. You do not want to miss out! 

To participate: bring a wrapped ‘gift’ to be swapped, stolen, and eventually unwrapped. Gifts can include anything with your organization’s logo on it. It can be a traditional/official item: a t-shirt, hat, pen, etc. It can also be something you brand yourself. (Use a printed sticker or a sharpie.) Or feel free to come up with your own gift idea somewhere in between.

Monday, February 16
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Networking Reception

Stone Brewing

2816 Historic Decatur Rd UNIT 116
San Diego, CA 92106

Keep the connection going Monday night at Stone Brewing Company with great food, casual games, and time to unwind with fellow DECA attendees.
Enjoy a street taco buffet, a free drink ticket, and plenty of laid-back fun with jumbo Jenga, oversized Uno, and other yard-style games. This social is designed to be relaxed and interactive, perfect for continuing conversations, meeting new colleagues, and spending time together outside of sessions.
It’s also a great opportunity to complete additional DECA Photo Scavenger Hunt challenges before the conference wraps up.

For those driving themselves, there is a large parking lot located at 3225 N Harbor Dr., but additional public lots surrounding the area.

Tuesday, February 17
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

DECAPod Conversations & Hot Topics over Breakfast

Main Room (Pacific CD)

Breakfast Served!
Facilitated by Ashley Wunderlich & Anthony Myer

Start your day with meaningful connection. This breakfast breakout brings together regional DECAPod groups for facilitated conversation and networking. It’s a great opportunity to meet other camps, learn more about DECAPods, and share current needs, challenges, and ideas with peers who understand your work. Not currently part of a DECAPod? No problem—this session is still for you! Come connect, ask questions, and explore how Pods can support collaboration across camps.
Tuesday, February 17
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

Breakout Session 3

Main Room (Pacific CD)
Family-Centered Interventions in Type 1 Diabetes: Examining Caregiver Burden and the Role of Diabetes Camps

Carla Cox, PhD, RDN, CDCES &
Eddie Hill, PhD, CPRP
 

This presentation examines the burden of care experienced by parents of youth with (T1D) and explores the role of diabetes camp participation as a supportive, family-centered intervention. Using survey data from 173 caregivers who completed the Zarit Burden Interview and a demographic questionnaire, the study investigates levels and predictors of caregiver burden, including parent characteristics, child diabetes history, and camp attendance. Findings indicate that while most parents report mild to moderate burden, increased participation in diabetes camps is associated with significantly lower caregiver burden, suggesting that camp experiences may enhance parental well-being, confidence, and coping. Implications for practice highlight the value of family-centered diabetes camps as a complementary resource to clinical care, offering education, peer support, and opportunities to strengthen family resilience and improve quality of life for both parents and children.

Breakout Room (Pacific E)
From Camp to Care: Blue Circle Health with Resources for Camp Staff & Alumni

Scott Johnson

This session explores how Blue Circle Health supports young adults with type 1 diabetes as they transition from pediatric care to adult life. This session introduces why Blue Circle Health was created, the free clinical care, education, and support it provides, and how it complements existing care teams. Attendees will learn about common gaps during the pediatric-to-adult transition, how partners like The Diabetes Link can help support independence, and practical ways patients, camp staff, and alumni can get started and spread the word.
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 822 6055 5473

PW:  deca26main

Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 867 4224 6539

PW:  deca26rm

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Zoom Links will be posted shortly before the conference

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Tuesday, February 17
10:15 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. PST (GMT-8)

General Session 3

Main Room (Pacific CD)

NVF T1D Camps Initiative Update – Vanessa Laudette & Caroline Martin

ACA / ADA Resources

Helping Camps and Families through Recruitment, Programming, Communities, and More – A Panel Discussion on Turning Ideas into Impact
Panelists:
Ali Fox – Camp Surefire
Sam Gomez – Diabetes Youth Families
John Latimer – Camp Seale Harris
Tara Wilder – Diabetes Family Connection

 
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 822 6055 5473

PW:  deca26main

Click here to open this session in Zoom

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Tuesday, February 17
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST (GMT-8)

Lunch / General Session 4

Main Room (Pacific CD)

Closing Lunch

Looking Ahead Together – What’s Next for Our Community
Lisa Gier, DECA Executive Director

 
Click here to attend this session on Zoom!

Zoom Meeting ID: 822 6055 5473

PW:  deca26main

Click here to open this session in Zoom

Zoom Meeting ID:

PW:  

Conference Supporters