Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes

What Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes does

Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in Federal Way, Washington, that operates the only overnight residential summer camp in Western Washington exclusively dedicated to children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. The organization runs four summer camp sessions stratified by age (Elementary, grades 3-6; Middle School, grades 6-8; High School, grades 9-12) plus a Leaders in Training Weekend and a Family Camp program, serving approximately 300 campers per year. Programs integrate a DiabEducation curriculum combining formal sessions (diabetes jeopardy, pump change parties, carb counting) with informal experiential learning, and are medically supervised around the clock by volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, registered dietitians, and EMTs, with staff-to-camper ratios of approximately 1:4. Camper CGM readings are monitored remotely via Dexcom Follow.

The technology stack is intentionally lean and entirely third-party: CampBrain handles registration, Dexcom Follow provides CGM monitoring, Constant Contact manages email communications, and the Squarespace-hosted website (campleo.org) is the primary marketing and information surface. Camp operations are conducted at Black Diamond Camps in Auburn, WA (summer sessions and LIT Weekend) and Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood, WA (Family Camp). The organization is operated by Type 1 United in partnership with ConnecT1D; the two organizations share staff and back-office functions, with Type 1 United covering the cost of two year-round full-time staff positions (Executive Director Madi Johnson and Program Coordinator Tina Ghosn), while all camp session roles are filled by volunteers.

The revenue model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than fee-driven. Program costs are heavily subsidized by charitable contributions from individuals, Lions Clubs International (including the Renton Lions Club), and grants from organizations such as the New Venture Fund, with the explicit 30-year policy of never turning away a camper for financial reasons. Families pay a non-refundable $100 registration deposit and a program fee (subsidized amounts for 2026 are TBD), with partial or full scholarships available based on federal poverty guidelines. Marketing is conducted primarily through the website, Constant Contact email newsletter, Facebook, and community outreach at diabetes events such as JDRF Beat the Bridge and T1Nation.

Name

Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes

Legal name

Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes

Website

https://campleo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Camp Leo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating residential summer camps exclusively for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes in Western Washington, serving about 300 campers annually across Elementary, Middle School, High School, Leaders in Training, and Family Camp programs under volunteer medical supervision.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Summer Camps for Children with Type 1 Diabetes

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Diabetes summer camps
• Type 1 diabetes
• Youth residential camps
• Diabetes education programs
• Nonprofit camping services

Headquarters

HQ city

Federal Way

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Camp Registration Fees: Camp Leo charges program fees for camp sessions including Elementary, Middle School, High School camps, Leaders in Training Weekend, and Family Camp. Fees are subsidized by donors and sponsors. Scholarships based on financial need are available.
2. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Camp Leo relies on charitable donations from individuals, Lions Clubs, and other community partners. Grants from organizations like the New Venture Fund support operations and scholarships.
3. Scholarship Subsidies: All program costs are subsidized by generous sponsors, donors, grantors and community partners such as the Lions Club to ensure lowest possible prices for families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes operates overnight residential summer camp programs exclusively for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes in Western Washington. Core offerings include Elementary School Camp, Middle School Camp, High School Camp, Leaders in Training Weekend, and Family Camp, supplemented by daily DiabEducation programming and 24/7 medical supervision by volunteer healthcare professionals. All programs are subsidized through donations, sponsorships, and grants to ensure financial accessibility, with partial and full scholarships available based on federal poverty guidelines.

Product overview

Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes operates a suite of overnight residential camp programs exclusively for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes in Western Washington. The core offerings include Elementary School Camp (grades 3-6), Middle School Camp (grades 6-8), High School Camp (grades 9-12), and a Leaders in Training Weekend for teens. Additional programs include Family Camp for families of children with diabetes and a Counselors in Training leadership pathway. The camp integrates DiabEducation programming throughout all sessions, combining informal experiential learning with formal diabetes education activities. Medical oversight is provided by volunteer healthcare professionals, and all programs are subsidized through donations and sponsorships to ensure financial accessibility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elementary School Camp Overnight residential camp for children in grades 3-6 (approximately ages 8-11) with Type 1 Diabetes. Features age-appropriate activities such as arts and crafts, hiking, swimming, and hands-on diabetes education, including foundational diabetes management skills and first opportunity to meet peers with diabetes.
• Middle School Camp Five-day overnight residential camp for campers entering grades 6-8, helping campers transition to greater independence while participating in activities like rock climbing, swimming, archery, and diabetes education focused on self-injection skills, pump site management, blood sugar testing, and carbohydrate counting.
• High School Camp Overnight resident camp for teens in grades 9-12 offering greater autonomy in diabetes management and activities. Topics include driving with diabetes, sick day management, advanced pump/MDI skills, and transitioning to adult endocrinologists.
• Leaders in Training (LIT) Weekend Weekend program for teens in grades 9-12 featuring leadership development, team-building, and diabetes self-management skills. LIT participants may become eligible to apply as Counselors in Training (CITs) for Summer Camp.
• Family Camp Family camp program for families of children with diabetes in grades 8 and younger, including siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Hosted at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood, WA, with at least one adult required to be present with the family throughout the event.
• Counselors in Training (CIT) Program Teen leadership program for students with diabetes in grades 10-12. CITs are partnered with cabins, learning leadership techniques from counselors and medical staff. Participation in the Leaders in Training Weekend is required to apply for the CIT program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 300 children with Type 1 Diabetes annually in grades 3-12
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Black Diamond CampscoreOthersCamp Leo rents facilities from Black Diamond Camps at Auburn location (19830 SE 328th Pl, Auburn, WA 98092) for Leaders in Training Weekend and summer camp sessions. Campers are housed in dormitory-style cabins with shared restrooms. The camp has been held at this location since 2021.
• Warm Beach Camp and Conference CentercoreOthersCamp Leo Family Camp is held at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center (20800 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292). This facility hosts the family camp program for families of children with Type 1 Diabetes.
• ConnecT1DcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnecT1D is a related organization that partners with Camp Leo. Camp Leo is operated by Type 1 United in partnership with ConnecT1D. ConnecT1D runs Family Camp programs, Adult Retreats, and other year-round programs for people with Type 1 Diabetes. The organizations share staff and resources.
• JDRFminorOthersCamp Leo participates in community events including JDRF Beat the Bridge. Staff and volunteers represent Camp Leo at diabetes community events.
• Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA)minorOthersCamp Leo staff receive free membership to DECA, which provides access to staff training videos and resources. DECA is an organization supporting diabetes camps through training and resources.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Riding On Insulin: Provides action sports camps and programs (snowboarding, surfing, mountain biking) specifically for kids and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. Comparable in mission (T1D kids + experiential outdoor programming), but a niche/emerging player focusing on action sports rather than traditional residential camp.
• Connected in Motion: Operates Slipstream and other experiential adventure programs for adults with Type 1 Diabetes. Comparable T1D-community mission and program philosophy, but serves the adult population rather than children, partially overlapping with Camp Leo's potential expansion into adult retreats.

Others

• Beyond Type 1: Digital-first nonprofit serving the global Type 1 Diabetes community with education, resources, and community programs. Comparable T1D-community ecosystem player with complementary programming; overlaps with Camp Leo's mission but not a direct overnight camp competitor.
• Type 1 United: Parent nonprofit organization that operates Camp Leo and ConnecT1D. Functions as the umbrella operating entity rather than a direct competitor; relevant as the consolidated organizational peer.
• JDRF (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation): Largest T1D-focused research and advocacy nonprofit; partners with Camp Leo via community events. Functions as a funder/advocacy peer and referral channel rather than direct camp operator.
• Diabetes Education and Camping Association (DECA): Industry association supporting diabetes camps worldwide with staff training, resources, and member camps directory. Camp Leo already has free staff membership; functions as an enabling/infrastructure peer rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Setebaid Services: Operates multiple T1D-specific residential summer camps in Pennsylvania (Camp Setebaid at Mount Luther, Camp Setebaid at Shriners) for children and teens with Type 1 Diabetes. Directly comparable overnight camp operator with similar medical-volunteer staffing model and age-tiered programming.
• Barton Center for Diabetes Education: Operates Camp Joslin (boys) and Camp Clara Barton (girls), the largest independent diabetes camping program in the US serving children with Type 1 Diabetes. Most directly comparable peer — same overnight residential model, same T1D-exclusive population, similar medical volunteer staffing model.
• Children with Diabetes (CWD): Provides educational programs and conferences (Friends for Life) for families and children with Type 1 Diabetes, including age-divided programming. Comparable as a T1D-specific education/community organization, though focused on conferences rather than residential camp.

Broad incumbents

• American Diabetes Association (ADA) Camps: ADA runs a national network of diabetes camps across multiple states with overnight residential programming for children with T1D. Comparable in mission and program structure, but operates as a nationwide network rather than a single regional anchor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CampLeoDiabetes

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Camp Leo for Children with Diabetes