Camp Ho Mita Koda (Sioux for welcome my friend) was the first diabetes camp in the world.

Camp Ho Mita Koda - located in Newbury - is generally for children with type 1 diabetes. However, there are also programs for teenagers with type 2.

The camp ranges from 4 to 12 days from $350 to $725, which caters to about 300 campers a year (aged 4 to 21).

The Camp founder Henry John joined the Cleveland Clinic in 1921 when insulin was discovered and worked at perfecting and researching the new product.

In 1929, after seeing that more things needed to be done for those with diabetes than just giving them shots, he began taking patients to his property in Newbury where they would learn how to deal with diabetes and have fun with other children with the same disease.

While there are already other diabetes camps since then, Camp Ho Mita Koda - a subsidiary of The Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland remains a haven for Northeast Ohioans with diabetes.

Source: Stater Online

[In Photo: Camp director Rich Humphreys (right) stands with campers near the archery range at Camp Ho Mita Koda, Credit: DAVE RANUCCI | SUMMER KENT STATER]