MVSKOKE RESERVATION- This year’s Mvskokvlke Play 2025 Summer Youth Diabetes Prevention Camp will be happening in July. The two-day summer youth camp will be offered at five different locations. The program is free to American Indian Youth between the ages of 10-15 years old. Each of those five camps will take the first 35 youth to sign up, but their main priority to choose from will be the first time campers.
According to MCN Health, campers must have a chart at MCN clinics or have a CDIB card.
Muscogee (Creek) Nation (MCN) of Health Community Health and Wellness Director Duane Meadows (Cherokee) has been there for 16 years and the camp has been part of the camps since he began working. Meadows spoke to Mvskoke Media about the benefits and activities that are set for day-campers in July.
The day camps are located at Henryetta, Okmulgee, Eufaula, Sapupla and Koweta.
“It’s promoting lifelong activities for the youth. We work within our diabetes prevention programs and we offer five camps in our five clinic locations,” Meadows said.
During those days, campers will participate in traditional games, archery contest games, and a field trip to the Paradise Beach Water Park.
“Some of the students in our areas don’t ever get the opportunity for those activities, but one full day is directed towards diabetes prevention education and then the last day they get rewarded with a field trip to Paradise Beach, it’s a pretty fun activity,” Meadows said.
The MCN Health Dietitians, Diabetes Educator Coordinators, and Community Health and Wellness Educators will be there assisting activities and teaching the youth.
Activities are designed for their health benefits and emphasize healthy lifestyle changes for youth. “We want to promote lifelong activities for the youth. We believe in our motto, ‘Stay Active, Stay Healthy,’” Meadows said.
Meadows knows the risk of diabetes for Native Americans and his department is trying to prevent the disease. This camp will give them that opportunity with tools that might be able to help. Their goals are, “to promote healthy lifestyles and to help promote our MCN health,” Meadows said.
So far, the Summer Youth Diabetes Prevention Camp has been receiving a great response; they have two out of the five camps already reached full capacity. Full camps have a waiting list, however.
According to Meadows, it’s just a matter of time of getting those registration forms turned back in and getting accepted to the camp. Registrations need to be turned in at least one week before the camp date, so that staff are able to get materials and information out to families.
Meadow gave one last comment that he is excited for the camp and looking forward to seeing the youth in the MCN boundaries.
To register, an online registration form needs to be filled. The application can also be emailed, mailed, faxed, or text a completed registration card at 918-758-6910. Their address is Diabetes Department at 900 East Airport Road Okmulgee, Ok 7447, ATTN: Cheryl Aguilar.
For any information about this camp you can contact Meadows at 918-752-7949 and email at duane.meadows@creekhealth.org
Camp locations from 8AM-5PM
Henryetta Camp: July 15 and 16
Okmulgee Camp: July 16 and 17
Eufaula Camp: July 22 and 23
Sapulpa Camp: July 23 and 24
Koweta Camp: July 29 and 30
