What does Camp Nejeda do for a child with type 1 diabetes? My name is Victoria and I’m one of the thousands of faces of Camp Nejeda. I first attended Camp Nejeda at the age of six. Today at the age of 27 I have rejoined my Nejeda family as the Director of Programs. I’m writing to you to ask for your renewed support. I AM NEJEDA and this is my story…

As a young child I was repeatedly told, “Victoria, you are the expert on how you feel.” It was explained to me that others wouldn’t know and understand what I was going through as a person with type 1 diabetes. I would need to speak up when it was medically necessary for me to take a break from a soccer game or a test at school to care for my diabetes. Although learning to advocate for myself and my medical needs at an early age wasn’t entirely a bad thing, I remember how it sometimes made me feel incredibly isolated and different from my peers.

Despite being impressed at my own bravery, I know my mom cried a lot that first year, desperately wishing I could experience a “typical” childhood, unencumbered by the burden of diabetes. She was scared about what the future would hold for me even though she tried to inspire me with her insistence that I could do anything I put my mind to. What really inspired both of us, however, was going to Camp Nejeda's Family Camp in 1996 where we met counselors who my mom described as "the happiest people she had ever met."  These counselors were my introduction to this incredible place where diabetes was the norm - and I was finally surrounded by people who understood.

It’s amazing how much confidence can come from something as simple as being surrounded by people who truly understand what you are going through. This past summer, first-time Family Camp mother Colleen saw the transformative effect this type of support system had for her son Robbie.

The connections made at Camp Nejeda and the support system many children find here are invaluable to so many. This support system inspires confidence like it did for Robbie, and it also helps develop social skills as new campers learn how to be supportive while reaping the benefits of peer support themselves.

Camp Counselor Jack Aiello, who is currently trekking through the Himalayan Mountains with his diabetes supplies during a year of service and education in India, developed confidence from years spent at Camp Nejeda. He also learned that support is just as important to give as it is to receive and he has been able to draw upon that to develop the camaraderie and teamwork which have contributed to his success in India.

Camp Nejeda’s positive impact reaches beyond the years that campers and counselors come here… After spending many summers at Camp Nejeda as both a camper and counselor, I found myself far from this diabetic oasis when I moved to the Midwest for graduate school. Yet even there, the support of my Camp Nejeda friendships followed me; they were a comforting reminder of all that I had accomplished, and also my encouragement to keep going, knowing that they were there for me no matter what.

Camp Nejeda has actually changed quite a bit since I was here as a camper and counselor; we now offer offsite day camps in New Jersey and New York, a new program for adults with type 1, not to mention a zip line, a state-of-the-art health center, and an outdoor pavilion. One thing that hasn’t changed though—Camp Nejeda is still the same understanding haven for children with type 1 diabetes, where they can develop traits and skills such as confidence, resilience, supporting others, and perhaps most important, know that they are not alone. Camp Nurse and Camper Parent, Bonnie Boucher describes her son Mark’s experience drawing on the support of friends he made at camp.

                                                

As I write to you on this chilly November day and gaze through my office window across the quiet campus, I am filled with memories of how Camp Nejeda has positively shaped my life. I can hear the sounds of a hundred or more children singing camp songs in the dining hall, the shouts of laughter, and the timeless joy of children having fun together—free from the burden of their illness, if only for a few weeks. I feel an overwhelming sense of urgency to ensure that every child with diabetes has the opportunity to experience the impact of this amazing place regardless of their ability to pay – the same opportunity that was given to me 20 years ago.

Camp is busier than ever, reshaping our programs to reflect advances in diabetes management as well as changes in the interests and needs of our campers and parents. In 2016, nearly 500 children attended Camp Nejeda programs and more than $120,000 in campership awards were made to our families – nearly 30% of our campers. Charitable giving helps the Camp Nejeda Foundation cut camp fees in half for every camper—a total subsidy of more than $600,000 annually made possible by the generosity of our donors.

We must continue to keep camp fees affordable, maintain safe and welcoming facilities, and develop programs that inspire young people with diabetes to shatter their fears and create a foundation for diabetes independence. I am asking for your renewed support in achieving these goals.

When you donate to Camp Nejeda, you’re investing in the futures of hundreds of children and teens who rely on the Camp Nejeda experience to give them hope, encouragement, comfort, and support like the testimonials I’ve just shared with you. That’s an investment worth making.

Today, I ask that you join me—join us—join them, by making a donation in an amount that is meaningful to you. I assure you, from my firsthand experience and the testimony of others, that your generous support—no matter how much, is deeply appreciated by the hundreds of campers with type 1 diabetes and their families whose lives have been enriched by the priceless experience of Camp Nejeda. Together, friends and donors like you are making great things possible for children with diabetes. WE ARE NEJEDA.

Sincerely,

Victoria Benyo
Director of Programs
973.383.2611 x 224
EMAIL

P.S. In the coming weeks, Camp Nejeda will share the full stories of Robbie, Jack, and Mark along with the personal stories of campers, counselors, nurses, parents, and alumni through our I AM NEJEDA campaign with the launch four new blog at www.campnejeda.org. (Blog launch date November 30th) Links to these stories will be published on our facebook page and by email. 

2017 Registration Opens December 1st @ 10:00 AM
 

General Registration will open to everyone on Thursday, December 1, 2016.  

2017 Summer Camp and program dates are now available on our website. Please note there have been a few changes to the printed schedule you may have received at the end of your camper's session this summer. Due to popular demand, Camp Nejeda will offer our BFF (Betic Friends Factor Weekend) in the spring and fall, Family Camps will be offered in June and September and we will once again offer a fifth session of residential camping. 

To register online or download the paper registration form visit www.campnejeda.org on or after 10:00 AM on Thursday, December 1st.

If you have any questions regarding Camp Nejeda programs, dates, or registration please contact Director of Programs, Victoria Benyo: 973-383-2611 x 224 or via email.

Hang out with your favorite campers, counselors, nurses and alumni! The NJ Devils game is a social event to gather our Camp Nejeda family together during the mid-winter blues and warm up with a bit of Nejeda family-style love. The game date is just before Valentine's Day and the perfect gift for your sports-loving sweetheart. Tickets make terrific holiday gifts, too!

Seats are located in the 100 Level, include a $10 voucher for food and drink, and below box office prices!  Every ticket holder will receive a New Jersey Devils Commemorative Poster. 

 

We've reserved a private room at the arena for all Camp Nejeda ticket holders. Come early and hang out with your Camp Nejeda friends - make new friends too! Pick up your complimentary Commemorative NJ Devils poster, win door prizes such as a signed NJ Devils hockey stick, pucks, tickets for a future a NJ Devils game or concert at the Prudential Center. A cash bar will be available in the meetup room.
 

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Camp Nejeda every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you ship at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to the Camp Nejeda Foundation. 

It's easy to get started - just visit smile.amazon.com, sign into your account and choose Camp Nejeda Foundation as your preferred charity. Remember to bookmark smile.amazon.com so you're always sure to support camp while making your purchases!