Berrie Center Summer Fun 2024

There’s no time like Summer at the Berrie Center. Our highly anticipated, week-long Summer Fun program brought joy and good vibes to all. From support staff to researchers to physicians, the whole team at the Berrie Center welcomed 30 pediatric patients and 10 counselors-in-training to the annual Summer Fun Program. From July 15-19, children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) gathered at the Berrie Center to make new friends and enjoy special outings.

As always, the agenda for the week was top notch. Monday included a trip to the American Museum of Natural History along with time in the afternoon for art therapy and education. Tuesday involved a trip to Boundless Adventures in Purchase, NY for a high ropes course adventure and ziplining through the trees. Wednesday morning was flag football and art projects, followed by a special trip to Broadway to see an afternoon performance of & Juliet. Thursday was Harlem day. The first stop was a trip to Harlem Grown to learn about sustainable urban farming, then a tasty lunch of burgers and fries at the famous Harlem Shake. To make the day even more memorable, Dr. Rudy Leibel met the group back at the Berrie Center lab for an insider’s tour, and question and answer session. Friday, the final day of Summer Fun, started with indoor skydiving and pizza lunch at iFly and ended with our signature, annual talent show. The experience was a treat for the children and parents as well.

“Once again Summer Fun was a huge success,” said Dr. Natasha Leibel, associate professor of pediatrics and head of the pediatric team at the Berrie Center. “This program is incredibly unique and gives our patients an action-packed week that is safe, educational, and rewarding for all involved. I am very proud of our entire team for all their hard work, and so inspired by our patients.”

Said one parent: “Thank you for giving our daughter a truly fun week, the opportunity to make new friends, and for helping her develop a certain level of comfort around having diabetes. Not only did she make friends, but for the first time since her February diagnosis, our daughter was actively talking about T1D.”

The Summer Fun Program is free of charge to patients thanks to the Berrie Center’s many loyal donors.