For 10 summers, Mihail Zilbermint, M.D., M.B.A., has volunteered at Camp Possibilities, an overnight camp for kids with type 1 diabetes. Zilbermint is chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Suburban Hospital.

“I love camp,” says Zilbermint. “When I was training in endocrinology, the medical director of Camp Possibilities invited me to explore the program. I felt this was my opportunity to learn something I didn’t learn in medical school: how to live with type 1 diabetes. Volunteering at camp helps me to be a better doctor.”

According to the camp’s medical director, pediatric endocrinologist Rachel Gafni, M.D., kids with type 1 diabetes are receiving insulin throughout the day, every day, so it can be difficult for them to go to regular overnight camps.

“Type 1 diabetes affects everything they do — their exercise, their diet and their sleep patterns. They need medical staff who are trained to deal with that,” Gafni says. “This camp gives kids an opportunity to do all the fun things they want to do, with their medical staff monitoring them the entire time to avoid severe complications.”

Gafni says the camp has, on average, 10 medical teams for approximately 100 kids. Each team has two medical personnel. The teams work with the campers and their counselors to monitor their diabetes, assist with dosing insulin and address out-of-range blood sugars. They also monitor insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor insertion sites because these need to be replaced every couple of days.

Zilbermint says the camp’s goal is for kids to have fun. Each July, they participate in archery, swimming, arts and crafts, campfires, talent shows and dances. All campers have type 1 diabetes and are between 8 and 17 years old; several of the staff members also have type 1 diabetes, and many are former campers.

“They are constantly dependent on insulin,” Zilbermint says. “You must pay very close attention to what’s happening throughout the day and night. Most of the kids wear continuous glucose monitors. That allows us to monitor their glucose remotely and let them just be kids.”

Zilbermint says some kids who come to the camp may be emotionally lonely.

“They may be the only kid they know who has type 1 diabetes. This is a unique opportunity for them to connect with each other and share the challenges related to type 1 diabetes,” he says. “They are sharing life hacks and tackling the challenges of living with type 1 diabetes. It’s like an enormous support group.”

Zilbermint says his goal is to blend in and allow them to do as much as possible.

“In the middle of the night, we had an 8-year-old who needed an insulin pump site change. Her mom usually does it,” he explained. “Rather than me replacing the pump, I asked her to teach me how to change it. Now, she’s capable of doing it by herself.”

Zilbermint says he finds that kids with type 1 diabetes are much more mature than other children.

“They have to live with a chronic condition and deal with it day and night. It makes them more responsible,” he says. “Sometimes they experience diabetes burnout. They’re tired of taking care of diabetes and want to have a day off. At camp, they are happy to let someone else manage their insulin pump.”

Zilbermint says one of his favorite parts of camp is creating a song for the campfire. This year, the song was about continuous glucose monitors to the tune of “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen.

“He’s having fun with the kids,” says Gafni. “It’s atypical to have adult endocrinologists working at diabetes camps for children, but he’s committed to the camp and its mission.”

This year, Zilbermint’s close friend and colleague, Andrew Demidowich, M.D., returned to volunteer at camp after a hiatus. Demidowich leads Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center's Inpatient Endocrine and Diabetes Management Service, a specialized clinical consultation program designed to promote better glycemic control in hospitalized patients. 

“Growing up, camp is where I made some of my happiest memories and closest friends,” Demidowich says. “When I first heard about Camp Possibilities during my endocrine fellowship, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer because I love working with kids. I was a camp counselor for many years.”

Demidowich says being a physician at camp is sort of like being a camp counselor.

“We check in on them first thing in the morning and throughout the day, at activities and particularly at mealtimes,” he explained. “In the cafeteria, the buffet has a list of carbs for each item. The kids tally the carbs and bring the sheet to the medical staff. Based on that, the medical team decides how many units of insulin to administer for the meal they are about to eat.”

Demidowich says he also factors in if the campers are going to be running around a lot or going to the pool, as the activities can significantly affect blood sugar.

“Going to a sleepaway camp and being surrounded by other campers and counselors just like them truly allows the kids to be free and open to who they are,” he says. “Camp Possibilities is an amazing opportunity for them to develop bonds and support mechanisms, because you can’t take a day off from diabetes. The campers make wonderful, lifelong friends who they can lean on and share their feelings with. It’s a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental environment.”

Demidowich says he’s learned that kids with type 1 diabetes are unbelievably resilient.

“I’ve noticed that they would rather have their glucose controlled than worry about having their finger pricked,” he says. “They are brave.”

Gafni says she’s glad Demidowich was able to return to volunteering.

“He really loves working with the kids,” she says. “I love having Dr. Zilbermint and Dr. Demidowich at camp because they both do a good job.”

Camp director Courtney Gross says Demidowich truly shines when he is working one-on-one with the kids.

“He really connects with the kids. He takes the time to sit down and work with them in the moment,” she says.

Gross says Zilbermint excels at educating kids on various ways to manage diabetes.

“If they want to try something new, Dr. Zilbermint will talk them through it,” she says. “All the kids love him.”

Gross says both Zilbermint and Demidowich are always engaging with the campers.

“These kids are asking questions and trying new things that they’ve seen other kids do,” Gross says. “Dr. Zilbermint and Dr. Demidowich are wonderful with the campers and always explain what they’re doing and why they’re doing it. They get to know the individual campers, and they don’t just see them as a child with diabetes. We truly love them. They are so treasured in our community. We’re very lucky to have them.”

For more information about Camp Possibilities, visit https://camppossibilities.org/