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Summer

Camp Programs

Available

programs


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for Summer camp

Camp Hertko Hollow offers an educational and therapeutic camping experience for children ages 5-17 with various programs for young children and teens. Campers get to choose from a variety of activities throughout the week in addition to building lasting relationships with other campers with diabetes.

In accordance with Iowa Immunization Requirements, Camp Hertko Hollow requires every camper to have an up-to-date immunization record on file at the time of check-in. These records are required to ensure that all Camp Hertko Hollow participants are properly protected. Medical exemptions must be submitted for review by 6/1/2024. Religious exemptions are not accepted at this time and medical exemption approvals are at the discretion of the camp medical director.

In accordance with Iowa state law, Camp Hertko Hollow will not be requiring the COVID vaccine for camp programs this year. While the COVID vaccine is not required, it is still highly recommended for staff and campers prior to attending camp. COVID testing prior to camp is not required at this time but could change depending on outbreak levels of illness at the time of camp.

Fees

Full and partial financial assistance is available for campers who cannot afford the full camp fee. If interested in financial aid or more information, contact our Executive Director, ashley@camphertkohollow.com or call 515-443-5085

The true cost of our programs greatly exceeds our fees, averaging around $1,400 per camper. The generosity of families and other donors makes our reduced camp fee a reality. Families and sponsors have the option of paying the full camper fee to help subsidize the cost of camp for families that cannot afford the full amount. The additional cost is tax deductible, and a receipt will be provided for tax purposes.

CHH30
CHH28

Important deadlines and information:

Camp registration must be complete (and all forms submitted) by 6/1/2025.

  • Requests for financial aid are due by 6/1/2025.
  • All sponsorship payments need to be submitted by 6/1/2025.
  • All payments are due in full by 6/1/2025.
  • If camp fees and registration is not complete by 6/1/2025, you will forfeit your camper’s spot at camp.

A non-refundable deposit of $50.00 is required with each camper registration. Please note the camp fee is in addition to the non-refundable deposit. 

Camp Location

Camp Hertko Hollow provides camp programs on the scenic grounds of the Y Camp located north of Boone, Iowa and consists of modern facilities with access to 400 acres of forest in the picturesque Boone River Valley.
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Why diabetes camp?

Children and teens living with diabetes face many challenges and successes that their peers can’t always understand or relate to. Campers get a chance to connect with others who can understand their experiences and learn healthy tips and tricks for living with diabetes.
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Camp Staff Info

Our onsite medical team consists of physicians, nurses, and certified diabetic educators. All our campers are under the care of physicians, nurses, and certified diabetic educators. Our cabin leaders are provided with thorough training from our medical professionals, Camp Hertko Hollow staff, with many of our cabin leaders having first-hand knowledge of diabetes.
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What

to bring

What to bring

The following packing list is intended as a guide for our SUMMER sessions (packing suggestions for Family Weekend and Teen Retreat are slightly different due to the time of year and nature of the program); campers do not need every item on the list.

Fee Details

  • Payment for summer camp is due in full by June 1st. Installment payments can be arranged (monthly, biweekly, etc.). 
  • Campers who withdraw prior to June 1st will receive a full refund, less the $50 deposit. Cancellations received after May 30, 2025 will not be refunded.

The true cost of our programs greatly exceeds our fees, averaging around $1,400 per camper. The generosity of families and other donors makes our reduced camp fee a reality. Families and sponsors have the option of paying the full camper fee to help subsidize the cost of camp for families that cannot afford the full amount. The additional cost is tax deductible, and a receipt will be provided for tax purposes.

FAQ

Every day at camp is a little different but each camper gets to enjoy all the fun camp has to offer such as arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, and great conversations with their cabins around the campfire. In addition to the fun summer camp offers, we incorporate our diabetes teaching into these moments, helping kids and teens understand how to manage diabetes in real life situations. We also have DIG sessions each day which is fun and therapeutic diabetes education. We encourage and foster independence in our campers and engaging education makes all the difference!

Our staff and campers will tell you it is our community! Everyone that comes to Camp Hertko Hollow feels a sense of belonging and that they are not alone with their diabetes. Education isn’t our only focus at camp—but creating lasting relationships and connections so campers can take the sense of belonging home with them. We take great pride in the dedication and experience of our staff, as they create the lasting memories that make our campers never want to stop coming to camp!

It is completely normal to feel nervous and have questions about sending your child to camp. We encourage new families to come to one of our Family Camp Weekends! Family Camp is for all families, but a great opportunity for new families to see our facility, meet our staff, and experience our camp programming first hand. If Family Camp isn’t for you, we would love to talk through your concerns and learn more about how we can help your child prepare and get ready for camp. We also offer mini-camp for children 5-7 who sometimes have a harder time leaving home. 

Yes! Many of our campers are pump users, and we use the pumps just like they would at home. Our medical team oversees all pump settings and is always assessing campers blood sugars and insulin needs. We utilize an electronic medical record to ensure accurate and precise communication between our medical staff and cabin leaders. All of our staff are trained on how to accurately use all types of pumps and many of our cabin leaders are pump users themselves!

We welcome siblings to all of our camp programs! For our summer camp programs, siblings ages 5-17 are welcome to attend the same session as their sibling. Siblings can greatly benefit from our education sessions but also feel support from other siblings at camp who share similar experiences at home and school. Siblings who attend camp will be placed in cabins based on age and we are unable to place siblings of different ages in the same cabin. Financial assistance is also available for siblings who attend camp.

In accordance with Iowa state law, Camp Hertko Hollow will not be requiring the COVID vaccine for camp programs this year. While the COVID vaccine is not required, it is still highly recommended for staff and campers prior to attending camp. More information regarding testing requirements prior to arrival at camp will be released at a later date.

In accordance with Iowa Immunization Requirements, Camp Hertko Hollow requires every camper to have an up-to-date immunization record on file at the time of check-in. These records are required to ensure that all Camp Hertko Hollow participants are properly protected. Medical exemptions must be submitted for review two weeks prior to check-in.