Diabetes NZ Wellington Youth Camp 2026

Back in January, our Wellington youth team spent the week at El Rancho in Waikanae for our annual Youth Camp. It is the biggest camp we run, and this year we welcomed 60 campers aged 8 to 17, supported by a committed crew of 20 to 30 medical staff, youth leaders, coordinators and night staff.

We also had student nurses on site each day, keen to learn from the young people who live with diabetes and to understand more about day‑to‑day management in real life. Their involvement adds a valuable layer to the week and helps strengthen the future of diabetes care.

To make sure every camper gets the experience that suits them, we run two programmes side by side throughout the week:
• a Children’s Programme for ages 8 to 12
• and a Teen Programme for ages 12 to 17 (or last year of school)

Both programmes focus on building confidence, trying new things and spending time with others who understand what diabetes looks like in everyday life. For many of our campers, this is one of the best parts of the whole week. There is something powerful about being in a place where carb counting, checking levels, pumps, sensors and alarms are simply normal, and no one has to explain anything.

We are incredibly proud of each young person who came along this year, and grateful to the leaders, medical team, volunteers and whānau who helped make the week possible. El Rancho continues to be a highlight of the year for our youth community, and this summer reminded us again why it matters so much.

These camps are made possible by the kindness of donations across the motu, and we are incredibly grateful that this continued support allows us to organise something so monumental and important

Scroll on to see some of the moments captured across the week.