Camp Ho Mita Koda was founded in 1929 by Dr. Henry John, a physician from the Cleveland Clinic, and his wife, Betty.



Dr. John joined the staff of the Cleveland Clinic in 1921, the year insulin was discovered. Much work was being done in the field of diabetes at this time. As insulin was perfected and released to physicians throughout the country, Dr. John was chosen to carry out clinical experiments and report his findings to Eli Lilly Company, which produced the insulin product.



At about that same time, young Betty Beaman was growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her little sister developed diabetes and her father, a physician, was heart sick that he was unable to help his baby, knowing that she would likely die of this disease. Dr. Beaman heard about clinical research underway utilizing a promising new treatment. He contacted the Cleveland Clinic, was put in touch with Dr. John and, through him, acquired a supply of insulin. As Betty John told this story many years later, she stood by her sister’s bedside while the emaciated child was injected with insulin. In a very short time the child began to feel better and almost miraculously, over time, regained her health.



Several years later, now grown, Betty found herself at the Cleveland Clinic working as a lab technician and there she met Henry John, the very same physician who had saved her sister’s life. Though many years his junior, she fell in love and, in 1928, Betty and Henry married at his summer cottage in Newbury, Ohio, her then 13 year old sister among the wedding guests



As Dr. John continued to work with families of diabetic children, he recognized two problems. Though insulin was keeping the children alive, their rigid diet and regimented daily routine was a heavy load on families, especially the mothers of these children. Dr. John also realized that it was not enough to just keep these children alive.



Dr. and Mrs. John envisioned a summer camp where children with diabetes could learn how to deal with and manage their diabetes and have fun with other children at the same time. So in 1929, Dr. and Mrs. John decided to take six children with diabetes to their summer cottage in Newbury (also their wedding site). Their purpose was to provide as many normal activities as possible for the children and also to give some relief to the families. Dr. John provided medical care and Betty John, with extensive camping and scouting experience, provided activities and daily care. Two weeks at camp gave these six children, who ranged in age from 14 years old to an infant, their first vacation since developing diabetes.



After the success of this first summer, Dr. John recognized that the opportunity should be available to larger groups of children. Therefore, Camp Ho Mita Koda, the first organized camp of its kind in the world, was founded. The basic purpose and standards that guided the camp's first year continue to prevail to this day, but the program and property expanded significantly. The camp grew from 6 to 300 campers and from 10 to 75 woodland acres. Hand carved totem poles and animals - Dr. John's work, augmented by that of nationally known artisans - were added to give the camp, whose name means "Welcome, my friend" in the Sioux language, its distinctive charm. A " Great Hall" was built along with 6 camper cabins, a bathhouse, a pool, and a number of staff and service buildings.



In 1958, Dr. John retired and the camp continued under management of its Board of Trustees, with George E. Willis as President and Treasurer. From 1958-2006, Camp Ho Mita Koda was led by the dedicated volunteers of the camp executive committee and Board. During those years the camp has continued in the tradition of excellence established by Dr. and Mrs. John. Both have since passed away but Mrs. John retained an active interest in the well-being of the camp and its children until her death in 1997.



In more recent years, the facility has been further developed by the addition of the beautiful Molly Blossom pool built in 1986 on the site of the old pool, the George E. Willis Team Challenge Course, dedicated in 1991, the Reinberger Bathhouse, dedicated in 1993, and a new addition to the old Great Hall which includes a modern new dispensary (The Diabetes

Association of Greater Cleveland Dispensary) and dining hall (Humphrey Hall). These additions, along with 2 new camper cabins, were dedicated in 2001. In 2003, the Swain Family Climbing Wall was constructed, and the low and high ropes course were renovated in 2004 and 2005.



In 2006, Camp Ho Mita Koda merged with the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland (DAGC), under the leadership of Jacquie Dickinson, who had served as the camp’s Executive Director since 1991, and has been President & CEO of the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland since 2005. DAGC had been the major financial supporter of the camp for many years and professionally managed the camp since 1991. Camp Ho Mita Koda now operates as a subsidiary of DAGC, enabling both organizations to increase services in northeast Ohio for children and teenagers with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Julie Hewitt, Camp and Youth Program Manager, and Helen Dumski, Vice President of Programs and Services, have year round responsibility for the camp today.



Camp Ho Mita Koda has given 77 years of service to the Greater Cleveland community, to children with diabetes and their families, and to diabetes professionals throughout Northeast Ohio. Camp HMK has given thousands of children the opportunity to enjoy a normal summer camping experience while developing skills in diabetes self-management that will serve them throughout their lives.