Camp Nejeda campers ring closing bell on Wall Street

STILLWATER — Camp Nejeda is a residential summer camp for children with diabetes located on a 72-acre property surrounding a seven-acre lake in the depths of Stillwater. In celebration of the camp’s 50 years of helping adolescents with type 1 diabetes to live healthier, happier lives, Foundation President Michael Barszca — along with camp directors and staff and some campers — were invited to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday. Camp Nejeda was founded in 1958 by a group of parents and physicians who understood the necessity of diabetes education for youth with type 1 diabetes. Today, Camp Nejeda is the tri-state area’s only full-summer residential camp for children with type 1 diabetes and one of only ten in the country. The camp encourages hands-on learning so that children and teens can practice new skills and learn how diabetes works in their own bodies. The camp’s on-site team of nurses, doctors and dieticians serve as coaches to keep campers safe during their stay, field questions, raise questions and generally involve campers in understanding the role of diet, exercise and insulin in their day-to-day lives. Pam Tobman’s son, Ryan Jansson, was selected to go to the Stock Exchange. “The trip to the NYSE exchange was an amazing experience for Ryan,” she said. “He said it was one of the best days of his life. He felt so lucky to be able to represent Camp Nejeda as a camper on the podium.” Jansson has attended Camp Nejeda every summer since he was diagnosed with diabetes in 2005. “The camp is a very special place and he looks forward all year to the time he spends there and seeing the friends he has made over the three years he has attended. He was so proud when we got home Friday night that he placed the video from the NYSE Web site on his Facebook page.” The Camp Nejeda Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that relies on charitable support. It is accredited by the American Camp Association, which evaluates over 300 standards for health, safety, and program quality. For more information visit www.campnejeda.org or call 973-383-2611.