Camp STIX 2026

2026 July 12th-18th

Camp Bear Paw

581 Bear Paw Dr. Newport, WA 99156

Driving directions can be found HERE

~ 60 miles north of Spokane

~ 56 miles from Coeur D'Alene, ID

~ 200 mile from the Tri-Cities

Camp STIX is a one-week residential camp for youth ages 9-16 who have diabetes. They have an opportunity to come together and share an unforgettable summer camp experiences where learning and fun come together.

Pick-Up Day: Camper pick-up is on Saturday, July 18. The Parent Program will begin promptly at 9:00 AM, so please arrive on time.

Lights, Camera, Camp STIX! 2026

On Set Sunday -The cameras are rolling and the stars have arrived! Wear your new camp shirt as we kick off opening night at Camp STIX!

Matinee Monday - From animated favorites to timeless classics, step into the role of your favorite kids movie character or old school film icon.

Terror Tuesday - When the lights flicker and suspense fills the air, movie monsters take center stage - transform into your favorite creature or spooky character.

Western Wednesday - Saddle up and channel your inner cowboy, cowgirl, or country legend for a rootin' tootin' fun day on the Camp STIX frontier!

A Night at the Oscars - Dress to impress as we rollout the red carpet and celebrate an unforgettable night of dancing and star-worthy moments!

That's a Wrap! - Rock your favorite camp shirt one more time before the credits roll on an unforgettable week!

Important Dates & Information

Important Dates and Timelines

for Camp STIX 2026:

Tuition is DUE for all accepted campers 2 WEEKS PRIOR to the first day of camp

July 12th Camper Drop-off Schedule

To ensure a smooth and efficient check-in process, campers should arrive according to the following schedule based on their last name:

12:00 PM – 12:45 PM: Last names A–F
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM: Last names G–K
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM: Last names L–P
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM: Last names Q–U
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM: Last names V–Z

Because our check-in process is carefully organized, we must be firm with these arrival times. If you arrive before your designated time, you will be directed to return when your scheduled check-in window begins. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, as no exceptions will be made.

Pick-Up Day: Camper pick-up is on Saturday, July 18. The Parent Program will begin promptly at 9:00 AM, so please arrive on time.

Scholarship Info:

As part of the registration process for each camp, there will be a separate step where you can apply for a tuition assistance. Scholarship recipients will be notified via email after registration closes.

Please contact stix@stixdiabetes.org with any questions regarding the need for financial assistance.

Can I send mail to my Camper?

Absolutely! Letters will be happily accepted and should be addressed as follows:

Camper Name, Bear Paw Camp
c/o Bear Paw Camp
581 Bear Paw Drive
Newport, WA 99156

You may also wish to bring dated letters to be delivered on designated dates, there will be a drop-off bin at check-in. If you would like to receive mail from your camper, please provide your camper with postage and envelopes.

CARE PACKAGE POLICY -

CARE PACKAGE POLICY: We do not allow care packages at camp. If a care package is received at camp, it will be held on-site and will be available for pick-up on the last day. Please oblige this long-standing rule and save care packages as a surprise for your camper to come home to! Thank you for your understanding of this matter.

You may however bring dated letters or post cards to be delivered on designated dates, there will be a drop-off bin at check-in. This is encouraged over sending these items throughout the week, as mail may show up late or get lost, making it complicated to get to them.

Campers will not be able to send out e-mail or texts but they can send outgoing mail. Please provide your camper with postage and envelopes if you would like to receive mail from them.

Mail will be distributed once each day. The camp email will not be used to deliver personal messages to campers or volunteers.

Please follow us on Facebook for the most up-to-date camp related information!

Thank you to all the volunteers that signed up for STIX and TWIGS!

We could not do this without you!

Those who are a part of STIX Diabetes Programs care deeply about the impact a chronic disease like diabetes has on a child's psyche. They also understand the power of education and community to empower them to rise above their illness and achieve their full potential in life. Our volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that each child and family we serve can realize THE STIX WAY. We also care about each other deeply and understand that our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. We respect boundaries and encourage self-care and rejuvenation so that our team can serve the needs of children and families with diabetes for countless years to come.

Games & Activities

Explore all the possibilities of fun

A.W.O.L. is an exciting game where campers try to hide from their counselors for an allotted amount of time. If the campers can do this without being discovered, they get out of doing work areas for a day! So bring your camouflage, and (in the voice of Elmer Fudd) "be vewy, vewy quiet."

Capture the Flag This perennial summer camp game is a favorite at Camp STIX, and a definite part of its tradition and X-citement. Join the action by helping your team defend their territory, take prisoners, and capture the other team's flags.

Cream The Counselor Campers get to vote on which Program, DISH, MASH, Support, and Advocate crew members they would like to see receive a nice cream pie in the face or on their head.

STIX Most Wanted STIX Most Wanted is a game where all the counselors run to hide and the campers have to find them as search parties with their assigned cabins. Once they are found, the campers have to “guard” them as they find their other counselors, and then throw them in the lake!

The Camp Dance! This classic Thursday night tradition has everyone dressing up in their finest yearly theme garb, and at Camp STIX we know how to shake 'em on down! Toothbrush..check, shampoo..check, dancin' shoes...definite check!

Talent Show Year in and year out it never fails that Camp STIX has some serious talent. You can be sure there will be an outstanding talent show production featuring our campers performing anything from magic tricks, dance recitals, musical numbers, to even telling jokes. At Camp STIX everyone is a star!

CAMPFIRE Camp STIX prides itself on its stellar camp fire programs. Come belt a "tune" with us as we sing songs at the top of our lungs, hip-hop to the dance routines, and enjoy hilarious skits and crazy contests -- all by illumination of a robust campfire. Campfires offer a grand time for all concerned and they're a definite highlight of Camp STIX!

Arts and Crafts Did you know kids with diabetes are super creative? Well, at least at Camp STIX they are. We offer fun and interesting arts and crafts projects that let your creative side shine on.

Special Guests You never know who might drop by Camp STIX, anyone from a State Patrolman with Type 1 Diabetes to share about following your dreams with diabetes, to a little rock n' roll band like say, The Beatles!

New this Year! The Challenge Course

Camp STIX

Based on four fundamentals for success.

Support - Campers at Camp STIX will receive the necessary resources to mentally and physically overcome the everyday challenges of having diabetes.

Tradition - Camp STIX offers all that traditional summer camps offer, plus a whole lot more! Games such as Capture the Flag, Message to Garcia, A.W.O.L., STIX Most Wanted, and activities like arts and crafts, canoeing, swimming, and an exciting campfire are all part of the tradition of Camp STIX.

Information - Campers will receive optimum diabetes care from local physicians and other health care providers including physician assistants, nurses, diabetes educators, and dietitians. Campers will have the tools and resources to successfully manage their diabetes while at camp by balancing their activity level with their food and insulin intake.

X-citement - Camp STIX will never offer a dull moment to children with diabetes. Our summer camp has a ton of activities which will give kids a terrific week of friendship and fun that they will never forget.

History of Camp STIX

The story of how we came to be

Camp STIX is a week of summer camp for youth living with diabetes. It's a special week - some have even called it magical - where lifelong friendships and memories are made.

It all started with a dream to develop a summer camp solely to serve campers with diabetes. In 2000 Camp STIX was created, named after the “Sticks Ceremony” held at the end of the week where campers throw a stick in the communal campfire with a word or thought about their experience. The STIX acronym embodies our mission of Support, Tradition, Information, X-citement.

In the early years Camp was held in two sessions – one for older and one for younger age groups. The volunteers (about 15 in each session) outnumbered the campers (about 9 and 12, respectively). Camp STIX is now one session for kids ages 9-16, but STIX Diabetes Programs also hosts our day camp--Camp TWIGS--for kids ages 6-8 started in 2016, Adventure Camp--an excursion-based camp that began in 2019 for young adults age 16-20! Today Camp STIX averages 185-200 campers annually. Our camp is completely volunteer-run. Almost as many volunteers as campers make up DISH, MASH, Program Staff, Camper Advocates, and cabins of 4-6 campers per counselor.

What began as a small circle around a flagpole has grown to stadium seating at the STIX Ceremony. To all the sponsors, donors, volunteers and families: thank you for being a part of our dream and making this miracle possible every year. We can’t wait to see what friendships and memories will be made at Camp STIX this year. Until there’s a cure… there’s STIX!