Bearskin Meadow Camp, a wilderness summer camp and retreat facility operating under a special use permit with Sequoia National Forest that serves children, teens, and families affected by diabetes, has installed 12 Tesla Powerwall batteries, offering a combined capacity of 158.4-kilowatt hours. This new energy storage system ensures resilience in the event of power outages, addressing the critical health needs of campers dependent on life-saving medical devices and refrigerated medications.

Direct Relief, a humanitarian nonprofit based in Santa Barbara, California, provided a grant of $7,745 through its Power for Health Initiative to assist with project costs. Additional funding was awarded through the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self-Generation Incentive Program. The project was developed with support from Swell Energy and implemented by SePac Energy Systems, Inc., who provided engineering, procurement, and construction services.

Owned and operated by Diabetes Youth Families (DYF), a Concord, California-based nonprofit, Bearskin Meadow Camp’s new battery system powers key facilities, including the medical center and kitchen. These upgrades are particularly critical given the camp’s remote location, where power disruptions are frequent.

Critical Backup for Vital Needs

DYF estimates the backup power system will prevent annual losses of $10,000 by ensuring uninterrupted operation during power outages. Since the installation of the initial batteries on one electricity meter at the camp in December 2023, it has already proven essential during outages experienced in July 2024.

Loss of power can render temperature-sensitive medications, like insulin, unusable—a potentially devastating situation for a camp dedicated to children managing diabetes. Reliable power is essential for charging medical devices, maintaining refrigeration for medicines, and ensuring the safety and well-being of campers.

“DYF works hard to ensure the safety and well-being of every camper at Bearskin Meadow Camp and is always seeking to improve our systems to achieve that. The addition of these backup batteries is a monumental step in our goal to provide a secure environment for children and families living with diabetes,” said Davey Warner, Executive Director of DYF. “With this system, we can ensure uninterrupted power for essential medical needs and create peace of mind for parents, staff, and campers alike. This advancement underscores our commitment to resilience, innovation, and community care. We are incredibly grateful for the support of Direct Relief in this endeavor.”

A Long-Standing Partnership

Direct Relief has been a trusted partner of DYF since 2013, providing Bearskin Meadow Camp with over $130,000 worth of essential diabetes management supplies, including blood glucose test strips, monitoring systems, lancets, syringes, glucagon, epinephrine, sharps containers, alcohol swabs, and bandages.

Bearskin Meadow Camp is one of 54 sites nationwide to receive grant funding through Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative, which enhances resilience for health-focused organizations through renewable power solutions. To date, Bearskin Meadow Camp is the only diabetes-focused camp in the U.S. to receive Direct Relief’s support for backup battery power.

“Bearskin Meadow Camp needs energy resiliency more than the average summer camp due to the vulnerability of the population it serves yet faces greater challenges due to its ultra-remote location,” said Tim Boris, Vice President of Programs at Direct Relief. “By uniting Direct Relief’s ongoing diabetes care support with the addition of a Power for Health energy storage system, this project demonstrates the optimal combination of two of Direct Relief’s signature programs. With the facility’s added resilience, parents and counselors can rest assured that their kids will stay healthy, and their insulin will stay safe, even if the power goes out.”

Supporting Resilience and Community

Direct Relief’s Power for Health Initiative focuses on enhancing the resilience of health facilities serving vulnerable communities by equipping them with renewable energy systems, including solar and battery storage. This initiative ensures that critical services remain operational during power outages, which are increasingly common due to wildfires and grid instability. By supporting facilities such as community clinics, telehealth hubs, and nonprofit organizations like Bearskin Meadow Camp, the initiative not only safeguards access to life-saving care but also promotes sustainability and energy equity.

To date, Direct Relief has funded 21 projects across California that strengthen health systems while reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

Summer camps and family retreats like Bearskin Meadow Camp empower children and caregivers to adapt to life with diabetes, offering opportunities for education, connection, and fun. The new battery system enhances the camp’s ability to provide these experiences with confidence, ensuring it is ready to welcome campers, families, and staff for a resilient summer season in June 2025.