Expedition Overview
This is a one-of-a-kind, specially designed Insulindependence Expedition of a lifetime!
Ten lucky kids (ages 9-12) will be selected to travel to the Midwest this September for a trip that will surely change their lives. Under the guidance of certified wilderness guides and experienced diabetes mentors, Team Insulindependence’s IronKiDz will embark on a 3-day river journey along the Namakogen River in Western Wisconsin. They’ll work as a team to prove to themselves that they have what it takes to overcome diabetes in the face of adversity.
On September 6th, the IronKiDz will reach the St. Croix landing, then voyage to Madison to meet their designated “training buddy” from Insulindependence’s Triabetes team (www.triabetes.org). Each of the IronKiDz will have worked with one of athletes over the course of the summer as they trained for the 2008 Wisconsin Ironman.
On Sunday, the day of the Ironman, the Insulindependence’s IronKiDz will use the diabetes management skills they obtained on the river to help their “training buddy” cross the finish line. Together, they’ll make history as a part of the Triabetes documentary.
  
Triabetes Project
Insulindependence is currently managing a team of type-1 triathletes in training for the 2008 Wisconsin Ironman. The team includes ethnically diverse members from coast to coast, men and women, ages 25 to 60, students and professionals, experienced triathletes and committed rookies, all united by their desire to inspire and educate the diabetes community by achievement and example.
An Emmy Award-winning film company has already begun collecting footage for a full-length HD documentary that is set to premeire following the race on September 7. Its purpose is to reveal the physical, mental and emotional struggles of each of the Triabetes team members, as evidence that people with diabetes are capable of pursuing their greatest dreams in spite of their chronic condition.
Though the Triabetes documentary will reach an audience of thousands, if not millions of people with diabetes, Insulindependence felt compelled to develop the ironKiDz project as a means of placing children with diabetes in direct contact with their heroes.
Selected ironKiDz applicants will have the opportunity to pair up with the Triabetes team members during the summer months leading up to the race. During this time, as they prepare for their respective events (Canoe adventure and Ironman race), kiDz and athletes will work together as “training buddies.”
Following the Namakogen canoe adventure, the ironKiDz will have the opportunity to meet their Triabetes mentor in person at the race site. They’ll discuss last minute diabetes strategies on the eve of the big event, then implement them on race day. Throughout the Ironman race, ironKiDz will support their mentor by helping to monitor their sugars on the course. At the finish, ironKiDz might even have an opportunity to cross the finish line as a part of the Triabetes documentary!
To find out more about the Triabetes project, visit www.triabetes.org.
Mentoring Program
Each of the ironKiDz will have unique and exciting opportunities to develop a personal relationship with a world-class type 1 triathlete. Together, they’ll discuss what it takes to live a healthy life while pursuing their dreams.
Additionally, the ironKiDz will be placed on an exclusive and safe online forum via the Insulindependence network. Here, they’ll have the opportunity to discuss what they’ve learned from their training buddies in a group setting—with the very same kiDz who’ll be traveling with them to canoe the Namakogen River in Wisonsin.
There to facilitate discussions and answer questions about the upcoming adventure will be the Namakogen leaders: Insulindependence Expedition Alumni Lara Soukoreff and Motivational Performer Noah Moore. Both are experienced diabetes advocates and mentors, who will be present to ensure than the ironKiDz team is prepared come September.
Itinerary
Tuesday, September 2
Arrive from respective cities, shuttle from airport (if necessary) to overnight location. Dinner and accommodation provided by Insulindependence.
Wednesday, September 3
Early shuttle to Wilderness Inquiry (guiding company—see FAQ) world headquarters. Load canoes and vans, drive to County K Landing on the Namakogen River in Wisconsin. Review personal gear, repack into Duluth packs and participate in a canoe orientation. Launch the canoes after lunch and paddle a few miles to the first camp at Whispering Pines. Introduction to trip expectations around the campfire.
Thursday, September 4
Discuss insulin strategies for the day. After breakfast, load gear in the canoes to continue trip down river. Expect to see bald eagles, herons, and other wildlife along the way. The sandy banks will bring the team past white pines, hardwoods and marshes. After stopping for short breaks and lunch, the day will end at Howell Landing. Debrief on blood sugars from the day, watch Noah perform his legendary fire dance around the campfire!
Friday, September 5
Rise with the sun to be on the river early. Use new canoe experience to navigate approximately 13 miles down river! This section of the river has a number of twists and turns and some gentle (and safe!) rapids that give you the opportunity to perfect your paddling skills. From Webb Creek, paddle down river to the confluence of the Namekagon and the St. Croix Rivers. As the Namekagon joins the St. Croix River, it becomes wider with fewer bends. Run the rapids just before your lunch spot and then continue the adventure to Big Island, where Native Americans and fur traders met to barter furs for trade goods two hundred years ago. Get into camp early and take a refreshing dip in the river, float down stream with the gentle current. Work with Lara to take experiences from the trip and set personal diabetes goals for future years.
Saturday, September 6
After breaking camp, pack up the canoes one last time for the final leg of the journey to Riverside Landing on the St. Croix. Move quickly to the van—hop on Interstate 94 to Madison, where the ironKiDz Triabetes mentors await. Arrive in the afternoon to join the Triabetes team at a private gathering, where training buddies will go over strategies for the next day. Retire with Lara and Noah to a campsite outside the city, get some sleep for the long day ahead.
Sunday, September 7
Arrive at the Ironman race course before dawn as the athletes are leaving the transition area to enter the water. Meet up with a volunteer diabetic parent (ironKiDz parents may also volunteer), who will be with each of the ironKiDz throughout the duration of the race. At the end of the race, IronKiDz may have the opportunity to cross the Ironman Triathlon finish line with a Triabetes athlete, and be recognized in the Triabetes documentary production! Return to camp late to get some much needed rest after the week of a lifetime.
Monday, September 8
Wilderness Inquiry will provide return transportation to Minneapolis for the IronKiDz team. Team members may be picked up by parents in Madison on race day if arrangements are made in advance. Shuttles to airport, as necessary.
Timeline
Feb 1 Applications available online
Mar 15 End application window
May 1 IronKiDz team announced online;
IronKiDz mentoring begins;
Fundraising period begins
Aug 31 Fundraising period ends
Sep 2 Team meets in Minneapolis
Sep 3 Namakogen river adventure begins
Sep 6 IronKiDz meet Triabetes team;
fundraising winner announced
Sep 7 Wisconsin Ironman race day
Sep 8 Return home to respective cities
IronKiDz Support Teams
Not only will Insulindependence’s ironKiDz have the opportunity to provide logistical support on Ironman race day—the fundraising they’ll do in advance will provide vital support for the Triabetes project as a whole.
Once accepted onto the team, ironKiDz will break apart with satellite support groups, which will include an ironKiD/ironKiD parent, a Triabetes team member, representatives from collaborative colleges and high schools, as well as local diabetes advocacy organizations. Together, support teams will reach out to local communities to make fundraising a fun and rewarding experience.
Winning support teams will be awarded with great prizes (TBA soon)!
Meet the IronKiDz
 Name: Ryan Maloney
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Training Partner: Steve Parker
"I can’t remember life without diabetes. I was 2 years old when I was diagnosed. I couldn’t even say diabetes then; I called it “diddy biddys”. My Mom and Dad carried the waist pack with all my supplies for many years but now I carry it myself most of the time. People that don’t know me wouldn’t know I’m the kid on the block with diabetes. I love to ride my bike and skateboard, my dad takes me surfing in the summer and I play baseball on a travel team. I test 8-10 times a day and always count my carbs. There are many things that I would have never done were it not for the fact that I have my disease. I have met pro baseball players at outings sponsored by JDRF, I have had the opportunity to go to a summer camp called Camp Wana Cura the past six years and now I get to go on this adventure with Iron Kidz. I can’t wait! " |
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 Name: Ashna Jasuja
Hometown: Pleasanton, CA
Training Partner: Brian Foster
"I am 11 years old, and have had diabetes for 10 years. I love to play softball and tennis, and enjoy swimming in the summer. I will be in 6th grade in September, and I am very excited to be going to middle school. Being part of IronKiDz is important to me because I would like to meet new friends and athletes that have diabetes and learn about what they do to manage it. This will be a great adventure!"
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 Name: Andrew Barton
Hometown: San Bruno, CA
Training Partner: John Moore
"My name is Andrew Barton and I’ve been diabetic for a year and a half. I love to play video games, sports and to read books. I will be entering the sixth grade in August. I am looking foreword to participating in IronKidz and meeting other kids and athletes who have diabetes. I love adventure and this will be an opportunity of a lifetime. "
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Name: Courtney Chapek
Hometown: Cadott, WI
Training Partner: Joe Brady
"I am so happy that I made the team. I can't wait to go on the canoe
trip because I have never even been in a canoe! Diabetes really
hasn't stopped me from doing anything; I play softball, soccer, and
belong to a bicycling group. So it will be so cool to see my partner
run, bike, and swim; all with diabetes.
"
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Name: Marissa Cordiano
Hometown: Livermore, CA
Training Partner: Anne Findlay
"Hi, I’m Marissa. I’m 12 years old and have had diabetes for about three years now. My favorite sports are gymnastics, surfing and swimming. I also like camping a lot. I have gone to a couple of diabetes camps called Bearskin Meadow Camp and Camp Arroyo through the Diabetic Youth Foundation (DYF). I’ve learned a lot there and I hope I’ll learn a lot from this trip. I’m really excited to go! "
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Name: Clayton Carlson
Hometown: Bermuda Dunes, CA
Training Partner: Bill Carlson
"I have only had diabetes for six months. It's really hard to be a diabetic because you can't have any candy or treats when it's someone's party. I play soccer and I might be going into football. I have a nice sister named Madeline and she does some things to help me with my diabetes. I hope my dad does well in his races because he is also a diabetic. I can't wait to do the canoe trip and I hope I make a few friends. I hope the trip is fun."
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Name: Mathew Muñoz-Morales
Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Training Partner: Dave Shack
"I am just 11 years old but for the last four years of my life I’ve had a long lasting relationship with my roommate Diabetes Type One. Although diabetes can oftentimes be tricky ... and sticky, it has taught me many great lessons. Participating in IronkiDz is my dream come true! I am very excited about this experience because I know it will fill me with confidence, understanding, courage and wisdom! And I am sure it will also be my inspiration to excel and help others in the future."
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Name: Taylor Burger
Hometown: Ramona, CA
Training Partner: Peter Nerothin
"Hi, my name is Taylor. I am 12 years old and I was diagnosed when I was 8 years old. I love to play baseball and go camping. There are many days that I struggle with the management of my diabetes. I believe going on this trip will help me learn how to deal with my diabetes and help me to live with it on my own as I grow up. Some day I wish there would be a cure for diabetes. "
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Name: Samuel Rosenfeld
Hometown: Danville, CA
Training Partner: Steve Ahn
"My name is Sam Rosenfeld. I am 11, live in Danville, California and will be entering 6th grade in the fall. My favorite things to do are to play soccer, snowboard and play guitar hero. Managing my diabetes is a part time job I never take a vacation from. It takes a team of people to help me manage my diabetes. My team members include my family, my teacher, my friends, my coaches and even my dog- she has been trained to alert on hypoglycemia! I am looking forward to adding Ironkidz and Insulindependence to my diabetes team and hope I can help out fellow team members as well."
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Name: Jeremy Bell
Training Partner: Aaron Perry
"My name is Jeremy. I¹m 12 years old and I live in Greenville, South Carolina. I was diagnosed with diabetes 4 years ago and it has been a challenge to me for the years I¹ve had it. Even with my disorder I still live life and I have been on many adventures such as hiking, camping, canoeing and snorkeling. I also participate in running events and triathlons. My favorite sports are soccer, swimming, and rollerblading but I¹ll do pretty much anything. I¹m really looking forward to this new adventure, where hopefully I¹ll meet new friends and learn a lot about managing my Diabetes."
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FAQ
Coming soon.
To apply, please fill out the pre-application screening below.
Contact
Email Peter
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