07/31/2023

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital Awards $10k to Camp Carefree

DOVER, NH – For the second consecutive year, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital has awarded a $10,000 community benefit grant to the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) to support Camp Carefree, a summer camp in New Durham, N.H., for children living with type 1 diabetes.

The grant will help support 100 campers this summer, with all funds going directly to camperships and camp operation costs. ADA camps allow children with diabetes to have a camp experience under safe, qualified medical care – an experience not offered at many summer programs.

“We know that Camp Carefree is powerful and life-changing for so many children, so we are proud to support them once again,” said Michelle Hanson, director of strategic planning and community benefit at Wentworth-Douglass.

Each summer, Camp Carefree hosts campers ages 8–17 from around the region at Merrymeeting Lake. The one-week program includes diabetes education to engage campers, and keep them motivated in their own care, with the support of the camp community. The programming is led by counselors and licensed medical staff, who are supervised and encouraged to embrace new challenges through discovery, adventure, and play.

“We are once again very grateful to Wentworth Douglass, whose support last year helped ensure that we were back in person after two virtual summers,” said Camp Carefree Director Alicia Harper. “All of our experiences are developed to provide opportunities for children with diabetes to forge life-long sustainable relationships, overcome feelings of isolation, and gain self-confidence, so it’s great to once again have the hospital’s support.”

The funding from Wentworth-Douglass will allow the camp to help subsidize camp fees for over 40% of the families that need financial aid for their child to attend. Funding will also be used for medical supplies and operational costs.

Wentworth-Douglass conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years to identify where the hospital should focus its programs and services to improve the overall health of the individuals and families it serves. The funds donated are approved by the hospital’s Community Benefit Funding Disbursement Committee and are not raised through any public or private donations.