Adventures | TeamCIM Adventure Challenge | Gros Morne National Park

Over 3 million people are living with Type 1 diabetes throughout North America. Of that, a whopping 85% are adults!

Imagine yourself a young adult with diabetes. Otherwise healthy, active and outgoing – bi-monthly hospital visits are part of your routine. Sitting in the waiting room (often for hours as you miss valuable time at work/school) you find yourself surrounded by people who are… different. You head in to see the doctor, nurse or nutritionist. Perhaps you have a meaningful conversation and have the chance to ask a few questions. You might get handed a pamphlet to read, a new chart to refer to for carb counting or a website about ‘Healthy Living’ to check out. Your time is up. The next patient is waiting.

Current clinic-based education programs are centred around traditional education methodologies – classroom-based, lecture style education, clinicians telling patients how to manage their diabetes using books, pamphlets, one-on-one teaching sessions and information sessions.

After years of attending such programs through clinics, hospitals and diabetes education centres (and without the watchful eye and coaxing of parents!) many young adults and adults choose to simply ‘opt out’. 

Connected in Motion is ‘breathing fresh air into diabetes education’. We believe a radically different approach to education is needed if we plan to keep the attention and engagement of the young adult and adult population.

By making diabetes education interactive, accessible, peer-based, community centered, socially engaging and most of all FUN, we hope to encourage and increase engagement in diabetes education and ultimately improve the self-management of young adults and adults with Type 1 diabetes. 

FRIDAY AUGUST 5
Arrive in Deer Lake, Nfld.
Check into accommodations in Rocky Harbour.
Sort and pack gear and food for expedition.
Dinner in Rocky Harbour.

SATURDAY AUGUST 6
Sea kayak around Bonne Bay.
2:30pm – Attend the Gros Morne National Park orientation and information session.
Dinner in Norris Point.
Evening stroll along the pier.

SUNDAY AUGUST 7 
10am – Take the Western Brook Pond Boat tour to reach eastern end of Western Brook Pond and the trailhead for the Long Range Traverse.
Begin Hike.

MONDAY AUGUST 8 – THURSDAY AUGUST 11
8am-4pm – Continue hike along the Long Range Traverse.

Trail will finish in the Gros Morne Mountain Parking Lot.
Shuttle to retrieve car from Western Brook Pond.

Celebration dinner in Rocky Harbour.

FRIDAY AUGUST 12
Fly from Deer Lake to your respective homes.

The CIM Team will forward a packing list with all of the details you need to be packed appropriately. You can expect to receive this at least 2 weeks prior to the event. We’ll expect that you’ll bring your own diabetes supplies, clothing, and toiletries. You’ll be responsible for your own sleeping bag, and hiking boots (BREAK THESE IN!). CIM will bring all the communal hiking equipment like cooking gear, tents, safety gear, first aid kits, maps, compass, etc.

What is the vibe of the trip?

This will be a challenge for those that want to push their limits. On the trail, we will be moving everyday – ie packing up tents and carrying everything to a new camping location. The Long Range Traverse is a rugged trek through bog and exposed ridge, and is on an island in the Atlantic. So you can expect to be wet, wind-kissed, and hopefully sun soaked. Weather appropriate clothing is a must. There are NO TRAIL SIGNS on the Long Range Traverse so be prepared to navigate using map and compass. We will be showing our communities what living with T1 looks like, challenging ourselves along one of Canada’s most beautiful hiking trails.

I’ve never been to something like this before – Can I bring a friend?

This year, we are accepting applications for the Adventure Challenge Team, but please tell your friends and have them apply as well. We are welcoming T1s, 5.5ers/T3s.

Where will we be sleeping?

Prior to our trip, and at its successful conclusion we will have comfortable cabin accommodation in Rocky Harbour. During our trek we will be sleeping in tents on tent platforms.

I have a special dietary need – celiac, dairy sensitivity, allergy – Can you accommodate me?

CIM has plenty of experience catering to a variety of dietary needs. We’ll work closely with you to make sure that you’re comfortable with the food situation. We don’t want food to be a stress!

Do you have a questions that you’d like answered? Send them to peter@connectedinmotion.ca with Team Challenge FAQ in the subject line and we’ll get your questions answered!