Camp Sweet Life - Camp 2021

Camp Sweet Life began  as a dream one mom had for her daughter to connect with another girl her age…

Camp Sweet Life Adventures, Inc. (CSL) is a non-profit organization which was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 2010. Camp Sweet Life was organized in order to provide youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in southern Minnesota an opportunity to connect with other kids with T1D, learn how to take better care of themselves, and have loads of fun in a carefree summer camp environment. The Camp Sweet Life organizers originally met only to plan a camp, but after the first camp in 2010 they realized the needs of this community and the possibilities for improving the lives of kids with T1D were so much greater!

Thus began the development of a mission, goals, and strategic plan to make Camp Sweet Life Adventures a sustainable and vital organization for the T1D community in Southern Minnesota.

The mission of Camp Sweet Life is to Connect, Empower and Transform kids with Type 1 Diabetes.  In 2019 camp had 120 youth participate for a 1 week camp.  Camp is held at Camp Courage (a True Friends accredited facility).  Day Campers age 5 - 7, and Overnight Campers ages 8 -15 look forward every year to participating in a "normal" camp experience (water sports, shooting sports, zip lines, crafts), however with an opportunity to realize they as kids with Type 1 Diabetes are not alone.  A great chance for kids, parents, and staff to reunite.  Parents feel comfortable leaving their child with Camp Sweet Life Medical Staff, Nutritionists, Social Workers, and Counselors.  

A true testimony is our Counselor-In-Training (CIT) program.  CIT's are campers that have aged out and now want to go through the training to become counselors (give back to the programs that helped them while they were campers).  In 2019 we had 16 CIT's participate in our CIT Training program!

Camp Sweet Life cost of Camp for 1 week is over $1,000 per person.  Registration fee for Day Campers is $50 per day, and overnight campers early bird registration fee is $375 if they register before April 30.  Then the fee goes up to $500.  However, no youth is ever denied attendance due to money - we have camperships/scholarships available.

We have a matching grant currently going on through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).  LCIF is matching your donation dollar for dollar up to $50,000!  All proceeds go toward camp, medical supplies, and camp program!  

Kids have a blast at Camp Sweet Life when they attend in August each year.  However, Camp Sweet Life is more than just a camp.  We have programs called CSL Connects!  CSL Connects is our "other than camp time" programs.  Activities that bring kids back together, a little educational experience for parents/grandparents/etc, and of course fun for all!  

CSL Connects many times collaborates many times with other diabetes programs such as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) One Nation (a day camp in the middle of the winter bringing campers, families, and all interested involved.  Walk to Cure - at the Mall of America - over 20,000 people come together to raise funds to find a cure.  The Lions Mankato Area Diabetes Rally - 3rd Annual to raise money for Camp Sweet Life and Lions MN Diabetes Foundation.  And our first annual Strike Out Type 1 Diabetes - held in Mankato Area and is a bowling event to raise money to support Camp Sweet Life.  However, due to Covid-19 all these activities have gone virtual for 2020.

We appreciate your consideration to make donation to Camp Sweet Life!  Don't forget - matching through Lions Club International Foundation LCIF DIA17102/5M2!