Posted on June 1, 2001 at 11:40 a.m.

WHAT:

Nursing students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are volunteering their services at a summer camp for children with Type 1 diabetes. For the students, who are studying to become family nurse practitioners, it will also serve as a valuable learning experience. “Their involvement with the children and other camp staff will provide them with an understanding of Type 1 diabetes that they couldn’t obtain through typical clinical training,” says JoAnn Venes, CRNP, nurse practitioner and camp clinical coordinator for the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the UAB School of Nursing.

WHEN:

June 1 through June 23, 2001
(three one-week rotations)

WHERE:

Camp Seale Harris for Children and Adults with Diabetes Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin Jackson Gap, Alabama.

WHO:

Nursing students participating in the clinical rotation program this summer are: Susan House, Patrice Morrison, Cathy Caldwell, Sandra Pouncey, Ronja Cole, Petula Yenter, Rain Jett, and Robbie Webb.

MORE:

Camp Seale Harris was founded by Dr. Sam Eichold and his wife Charlotte in Mobile, Alababa, in 1947. The purpose of the camp is to teach a positive approach to living with diabetes.

The camp staff of professionals and students, mostly volunteers, provides specialized services, including nursing, counseling, education, and recreational services. This year, over the course of three weeks, approximately 100 staff, volunteers and students will participate. Approximately 450 campers are expected to attend.

“Each year nursing students from UAB volunteer at the camp,” says Venes. “It is a meaningful experience for them and it better equips them to serve their communities as nurse practitioners.”