One Week at Camp, A Lifetime of Impact

Photo (from left to right): Jodie Vilaca, Clinical Coordinator, Diabetes Education, Judy Campbell, Registered Nurse, Diabetes Education, Cameron (Cam) Mulder, Taedan Melo, Austen Melo, Celiegh Melo, and Colten Melo.

In 2001, a young patient named Cam Mulder was diagnosed with diabetes and became part of the Brant Community Healthcare System’s (BCHS) Children’s Diabetes Program. Like many children living with Type 1 Diabetes, daily life meant constant monitoring, routines, and sometimes challenges along the way.

At one point during his care, Cam had the opportunity to attend Camp Huronda, a specialized camp for kids living with Type 1 Diabetes. “My mother had connected with the diabetic clinic and through whichever means available to them, they were able to get the funding to send me to Camp Huronda for a week when I was 12 years old,” says Cam, who is now 35.

From that experience, something powerful happened. “Being able to attend Camp Huronda as a kid was genuinely life changing,” shares Cam. “I had the opportunity to meet and connect with a ton of kids that were ‘like me’ and I hadn’t had that connection with others my age. It was amazing to be able to see other kids just like myself that had to test their sugars and do their insulin before meals, but still live a fun and normal life.”

For the first time, Cam was surrounded by others who truly understood his experience. The camp gave him not only independence and confidence, but also as a sense of belonging. “Camp taught me how to live with diabetes, not just survive with diabetes,” says Cam.

As a young adult, Cam decided to make sure other kids could have that same experience.

“Camp Huronda is an amazing place for children living with Type 1 diabetes,” says Cam. “It gives them the chance to meet others who understand what it’s like to manage diabetes every day, while learning they can still live full, active lives. With so many outdoor activities, kids stay engaged, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that support their future.”

Then came the moustache.

“When I was 24, I started growing out a moustache and it kind of became my signature look,” Cam laughs. “But my family members weren’t too keen on it.”

That’s when inspiration struck. If people wanted the moustache gone badly enough, why not turn it into something meaningful. So, Cam started an idea that if he could raise enough money to send a child to camp, he’d shave it off.

In 2015, he began fundraising, and connected with numerous local businesses for donations, held raffles and gaming events, ran bottle drives, and much more. Eventually, Cam raised enough money that he was able to send not one, but two children from the BCHS diabetes program to Camp Huronda. “It was amazing to see the community supporting my goal, as we exceeded our initial goal of sending one child and then the goal of sending the second was very heartwarming,” says Cam.

His creative and heartfelt efforts, including growing a moustache that the sponsored children would ceremoniously shave off once the fundraising goal was reached, was recognized from his community.

One of the moustache shavers was Zak, another young patient living with Type 1 Diabetes who had the opportunity to attend camp in the summer of 2016, thanks to Cam’s fundraising efforts. Zak never forgot what that experience meant to him.

Inspired by Cam’s generosity, Zak – now 19 years old – decided to pay it forward so another child, just like he once was, could have the same life-changing experience. Zak vigorously saved money from his own job to send another kid to Camp Huronda.

A passionate Brantford Bulldogs fan, Zak not only saved money from his job, but also sold some of his cherished Bulldogs memorabilia to help send another child to camp.

That lucky camper was Taedan.

“Taedan was shocked when he came home from school and was asked if he wanted to go to Camp Huronda,” says his mom, Celiegh Melo. “It was very moving that someone wanted to pay it forward and send another child to camp.” With a big smile, Taedan immediately said, “heck yeah.”

Pictured here is Cam preparing to have his moustache shaved off ceremoniously by nine-year-old Zak.

He is excited to meet other kids living with Type 1 diabetes who understand what he experiences each day. As an outdoor enthusiast, Taedan enjoys camping, canoeing, kayaking, and sports, and is especially looking forward to spending time on the water and exploring everything camp has to offer.

“Taedan is incredibly grateful for the opportunity and is counting down the days until his camp adventure begins,” shares Celiegh.

Today, the cost of attending Camp Huronda ranges from $2,000 to $2,400 for a two-week session. But for a child living with Type 1 Diabetes, the value is immeasurable. Camp offers more than just activities and a get-away from home – it provides connection, confidence, and the chance to feel understood. Many campers are supported by counsellors and healthcare professionals who also have Type 1 Diabetes, creating an environment of shared experience and mentorship.

“When kids return to clinic after camp, the stories shared are endless and life changing,” says Judy Campbell, Registered Nurse in the Diabetes Clinic at BCHS. “Sometimes they have given their first injection there, or if they didn’t want an insulin pump before, they end up wanting one after.”

Camp Huronda is a beacon of education, hope, and connection – bringing children together to bond over shared experiences navigating a lifelong chronic condition, while creating a fun, supportive space that build lasting friendships.

What started with one patient’s gratitude has become a powerful legacy of generosity.

“Knowing I was able to bring our community together with a common goal to enrich a couple children’s lives, brought tears to my eyes when I first fundraised 10 years ago,” shares Cam.

“Now, seeing that same act of kindness being paid forward by the young man I once supported brings even more tears of happiness. Words can’t begin to describe how incredible it is to watch this momentum continue and knowing more kids are getting the chance to attend this life-changing camp.”