Camp Trios kids learn they’re not alone

All the ingredients were in place:

An open 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke. A package of Mentos. A strip of grass on which to perform the fun, yet slightly sticky, experiment.

And young campers ready to be delighted.

Eric Cardenas delivered. The executive chef at Trios Southridge Hospital in Kennewick dropped the Mentos into the Coke, sending a geyser of soda shooting from the plastic bottle.

“That was cool,” said Dakota Moffatt, 12.

“I want to do that at home!” said Luke Liebert, 11.

The boys are taking part in Camp Trios, a three-day summer for camp for kids with Type 1 diabetes.

Trios Health organizes the annual camp, staffed largely by Trios employees.

Camp Trios started out five years ago with about 20 kids. This year, it has more than 50, including younger campers ages 6 to 14 and older teen mentors.

Kids come from the Tri-Cities and around the region to participate.

Aaron Klicker, 8, lives in Walla Walla and looks forward to the camp every year.

“It’s amazing. We try to make sure that we’re in town whenever it is. It’s his one thing every year that he wants to make sure to come to,” said Jerra Klicker, his mom and a camp volunteer.

The theme this year is “Mad Science.”

On Wednesday, campers moved from station to station, completing experiments like the Mentos/Coke challenge.

At another station, they mixed water, vinegar and baking soda, and watched as the concoction inflated a balloon.

The kids also fielded questions about diabetes, such as one about the best foods to eat in the case of low blood glucose.

Diabetes education is part of the camp. But at its heart, the camp is about building connections.

“A lot of these kids, especially in rural areas, may be the only kid with diabetes. (Through camp), they realize that they’re not the only ones out there. They develop friendships and support and have a good time,” said Jennifer Helms, coordinator.

That’s been true for Hannah Jilek, 18, a mentor. She’s taken part in the camp for several years and has built strong friendships.

“I have friends here that I’ve known since I was little. We’re all together here, which is probably my favorite part about it,” she said.

The Trios Foundation raises money to support the camp. Trios Medical Group and John L. Scott Real Estate are major sponsors this year.

Wilson Gerry, 10, seemed to be having a great time.

He’d already tried out some experiments, and later he’d be going on a field trip to the Tri-City Court Club.

“And tomorrow there’s like a raffle thing,” he said. He was excited about that.

But the best part, Wilson said, is “playing with fellow camp members.”

And this: “Just how nice the people are.”

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Camp Trios kids learn they’re not alone."