School is out, and for many Maritime children, that means it’s time to head to summer camp. However, for those living with chronic illness, going to camp can present challenges. Luckily, there are many camps which cater to their specific needs, while bringing them together with others going through similar circumstances.

Camp Dia-Best is for children with diabetes between the ages of seven and fourteen.

“It’s cool, because the atmosphere is just everybody with diabetes, so you fit in perfectly,” says camper Micah Tingley.

The camp is run by the Canadian Diabetes Association and activities and meals are closely monitored, as is everyone’s blood sugar level.

When insulin is needed, medical staff is on hand to help administer or observe those who manage it themselves.

For diabetics, like nine-year-old Chloe Walker, insulin allows the nutrients in the food she ingests to be used inside her body.

“Your system is a door and these are the people and they're at a party and they're waiting for their food and the door is locked, so insulin is like the key and the food is like the waiters,” says Walker. “So once the key unlocks the door, it comes right up to the people and feeds it.”

Lara Abramson runs Camp Dia-Bests in Atlantic Canada.

A diabetic herself, she says campers enjoy all the usual aspects of summer camp – swimming, hiking, games, crafts – and a social element they just won't find elsewhere.

“Kids just sitting around playing a game and then all of a sudden the topic of diabetes comes up and they're comparing notes and they're laughing about things, or maybe they're complaining and doing a little bit of venting, because living with diabetes is hard for these kids,” says Abramson.

Gabriel Chartrand is just 10-years-old, but already he's a veteran of two summers at Camp Dia-Best.

“Camp Dia-Best is a very awesome camp,” says Chartrand. “There's so many activities that you can do, it's awesome and they help you with diabetes.”

Chartrand says he is already looking forward to returning next summer.

More than 60 campers are taking part in this week-long camp in New Brunswick.

Campers in Nova Scotia have already had a week long camp and with another one yet to come. There will also be Camp Dia-Bests run in P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell