Camp Bluebonnet is a week long day camp for kids with Type 1 Diabetes and their siblings. After a fun week of camp, we use our silent auction to kickstart our fundraising campaign for the next year.

Camp Bluebonnet has a rich history and a bright future. Our journey started in the mid-1980s when a few families, some very dedicated nurses, and diabetes educators decided to have a play date at Zilker Park for kids with Type I diabetes and their siblings. The goal was to show these kids that others face similar challenges. This play date was also a place where parents and caregivers were finally able to talk and visit about the realities of living in a family affected by diabetes. Most importantly, the kids were safe and had a great time.

From its humble beginnings at Zilker Park, Camp Bluebonnet has grown and evolved. A camp planning committee was formed, and the play date at Zilker transformed into a week-long day camp at Reunion Ranch. In 2003, the Children's Diabetes Camp of Central Texas was established to administer and fund Camp Bluebonnet. Then, in 2000, we were invited to relocate to the picturesque 120-acre Peaceable Kingdom Retreat by Variety, our current home.

Camp Bluebonnet's impact has been profound, touching the lives of countless children with T1D. Currently we offer Camp Bluebonnet, a week long day camp for school aged kids through age 18, CB Saturday for newly diagnosed kids, kids too young for Camp Bluebonnet, and as a training day for our Leaders in Training (a program offered to high school aged campers to earn volunteer service hours and learn how to be Group Leaders when they turn 18). Most recently, we have added CB Meet-ups which are quarterly gatherings held across Central Texas. These initiatives have not only provided fun and support but have also fostered a sense of belonging and understanding among our campers and their families.

The CB Camp Committee is made up of volunteers who plan for and run the camp and our other programs with the support of Peaceable Kingdom and Variety, the Children's Charity of Texas. These volunteers either have diabetes or have a camper who has diabetes. Currently, a transition of oversight of Camp Bluebonnet is being made for our programs to live under the umbrella of Variety - the Children's Charity of Texas, which owns and operates Peaceable Kingdom. This partnership is expected to help ensure the sustainability and benefit of campers with T1D throughout Central Texas for years to come. If you would like to be a part, we would love your help!

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