WSU program empowers youth with type 1 diabetes through connection, belonging
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University's REACH Weber program is helping youth with type 1 diabetes and their families receive support for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
REACH Weber, which stands for Recreate, Educate, Advocate, and Climb Higher, is Utah’s only year-round recreation education program for youth with type 1 diabetes. It started at WSU in 2023 by Eddie Hill, associate professor and REACH program director.
“Parents wanted more connection than what a summer camp offers,” Hill said. “Through REACH Weber’s program, parents and their children have more time to connect on a consistent basis.”
Weber State partnered with a local chapter of Lions Club of Utah, Intermountain Health, and Primary Children’s Hospital to inspire and guide healthy lifestyles among youth with diabetes through camps.
REACH Weber hosts monthly camps on Saturdays throughout the year in the Swenson Gym on WSU’s Ogden campus. There is also a five-day summer camp Aug. 4–8 for tweens and teens. All events are free to attend, but registration is required.
“Diabetes is a very expensive chronic condition, so I’ve been adamant about making this program free,” Hill said. “Writing grants is a lot of work, but it’s great to see the outcome.”
Camps include physical and educational activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, and diabetes education. Youth will explore blood sugar management and strategies for achieving positive health outcomes.
Hill said the program is data-driven and grounded in the self-determination theory, a framework that focuses on how autonomy, a sense of connectedness, and meaningful knowledge learned influences motivation and behavior.
While Hill oversees the program, it is volunteer run. He said volunteers come from different communities, but a large number of them are WSU students wanting to connect with youth.
“This is a community outreach program,” Hill said. “I see the kids smile and they get excited about this opportunity they can’t have anywhere else. So knowing we can do that for them is what keeps me doing it.”
Chloee Robison, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu