The camp enables children to mark the milestone of injecting themselves for the first time; it helps them become more confident managing diabetes and gives them greater independence when they return home.

Six months ago, Kirrily was showing diabetes symptoms, which were noticed by her mother Kelly Burn.

"She was lethargic, drinking about 14 litres of water a day; she was having black flashes in her eyes," says Ms Burn.

"I thought it was a urine infection."

Kirrily learned she had type1 diabetes and began injecting insulin four times a day.

The camp gave Kirrily the chance to meet other young people with diabetes. "It's good to know other people who are having these problems," she says.

Ms Burn says Kirrily has taken the diagnosis in her stride.

"She was a bit funny on the first day [of injecting], but by the second day she was doing them by herself and she doesn't let anyone else do them."

Dr Orla Neylon, of the Royal Children's Hospital, who was the camp's on-site doctor, says it's uncommon for children to know others with diabetes.

"If they don't know other people with diabetes they can feel singled out. Diabetes camp gives them a chance to have fun, and their diabetes becomes something they have in common."