2024 ICF Award Recipients

2024 Abbott Fenn Druzhba Award:

The Abbott Fenn Druzhba Award is a special recognition of an individual, camp, or organization, which has made a significant and sustained contribution to international camping. The endowed contribution for the award was made by Abbott Fenn, a long-standing, active member of the American Camp Association and former owner/director of the Keewaydin Camps in New England, U.S.A. The award recognizes those who spread the benefit of the camp experience to improve world understanding.

THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPING FELLOWSHIP (ICF) ANNOUNCES

PHIL LILIENTHAL & GLOBAL CAMPS AFRICA

AS THE 2024 ABBOTT FENN DRUZHBA AWARD RECIPIENT

Before founding Global Camps Africa in 2004, Phil Lilienthal was a Reston (Virginia) attorney and owner and director of Camp Winnebago in Maine (USA). He joined the Peace Corps following law school, started Ethiopia’s first residential summer camps in 1966 and ran it for two summers. He and his wife, Lynn, were Peace Corps volunteers in Ethiopia. Phil later became an Attorney-Advisor in the Peace Corps General Counsel’s office, Regional Director for Mindanao in the Philippines, and Deputy Peace Corps Director in Thailand.

Since 2003, Global Camps Africa (GCA) has used camp programs to teach life skills and support healthy, empowered lifestyles. Initially focused on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the curriculum has since expanded to address broader needs, including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and coding. They run three annual sessions of Camp Sizanani, a residential camp serving youth ages 12 to 18 from impoverished Johannesburg townships. With 140 youth per session, over 400 young people benefit each year. Additionally, their bi-weekly Youth Clubs serve more than 2,000 children aged 5 to 18 across Johannesburg, including those living in children’s homes (orphanages). Their programs equip participants with essential life skills to help them face challenges with resilience, fostering social and economic engagement. Campers are encouraged to become active community members, contributing to sustainable development and societal progress in South Africa. Their holistic approach integrates life skills into fun, engaging daily activities such as sports, theater, and arts, alongside sessions on health topics like HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and self-esteem. To date, GCA has positively impacted the lives of over 70,000 vulnerable children and youth across South Africa, inspiring growth and community empowerment, including 12,000 who have attended Camp Sizanani.

2024 ICF Butterfly Award

The ICF Butterfly Award recognizes an individual, camp or organization that has made significant contributions internationally to the causes of camping (e.g. environmental, humanitarian or educational) over a period of time.

Professor Şükrü Hatun, M.D.: Recipient of the ICF Butterfly Award 2024

The International Camping Fellowship (ICF) is proud to honor Professor Şükrü Hatun, M.D., with the ICF Butterfly Award 2024. This prestigious award recognizes his extraordinary contributions to pediatric endocrinology and diabetes, particularly through his pioneering and impactful camping initiatives. Prof. Hatun’s unwavering dedication has not only transformed the lives of children with diabetes but has also significantly raised awareness and fostered a powerful sense of community and empowerment.

A Leader in Pediatric Diabetes Care

Prof. Şükrü Hatun completed his medical education at Hacettepe University Medical School in 1983 and his Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship in 1993. Today, he serves as the Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at Koç University in Istanbul, Turkey, a role he has held for several decades.

Transformative Camping Initiatives

Since 1996, Prof. Hatun and his team have spearheaded the “My Friend Diabetes Programme.” This comprehensive initiative focuses on treatment, education, public awareness, advocating for rights, and fostering a harmonious life with diabetes.

His visionary leadership led to the establishment of:

“My Friend Diabetes İznik Camp” (1997): Providing children with diabetes from across Turkey a supportive and enjoyable environment to develop essential self-management skills.
“My Friend Diabetes Family Camp” (2018): Extending support and education to entire families.
“My Friend Diabetes Online Camp” (2020-21): During the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. Hatun swiftly adapted, creating a valuable archive of educational videos that reached thousands of children with Type 1 diabetes and their families free of charge.

Global Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

Prof. Hatun’s commitment to excellence extends globally. He initiated a crucial exchange of information and experience with the Canadian Diabetes Camps Association, fostering a long-standing knowledge transfer that enriched the “My Friend Diabetes” camps with international best practices.

Further enhancing the educational impact, he involved esteemed professors from MIT, Harvard University, and other prestigious universities, who provided invaluable guidance to campers and their families. The camps also benefited from the voluntary participation of international camp counselors, enriching the program with diverse perspectives and inspiration.

Inclusion and Advocacy for All

A core tenet of Prof. Hatun’s program is inclusivity. His camps have welcomed refugees and participants from various countries, expanding the reach and impact of his work. This inclusive approach has been widely recognized and adopted as a model by medical professionals globally, and has been presented at numerous international medical conferences.

Beyond the camps, Prof. Hatun’s advocacy efforts have brought about significant policy changes in Turkey, including securing free and unconditional insulin for all children with diabetes and the inclusion of blood glucose meter strips in reimbursement. His leadership in the “Pediatric Diabetes Group” and the establishment of the “National Childhood Diabetes Programme” have vastly improved diabetes care in underdeveloped regions.

A landmark achievement is the “Diabetes at School” Project, a collaborative effort with key Ministries and the Turkish Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. This project has successfully trained teachers in diabetes care, ensuring safer school environments for students with diabetes.

In response to the devastating earthquake in Turkey, Prof. Hatun swiftly initiated a vital support and solidarity program for children with diabetes and their families in the affected regions, demonstrating his profound commitment to community well-being.

Ongoing Commitment and Future Vision

Prof. Hatun’s dedication continues with his recent focus on advocating for the reimbursement of continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) through the “Raise your finger for sensors” campaign. He has also established the “My Friend Diabetes Family Association” to support children facing financial difficulties.

Additionally, his pioneering ‘He For She program for Diabetes’ promotes gender equality in diabetes care, aiming to alleviate the burden traditionally placed on mothers.

A Beacon of Inspiration

Professor Şükrü Hatun’s multifaceted contributions — from innovative camping initiatives and global collaborations to tireless advocacy and unwavering commitment to community well-being — embody the spirit of the ICF Butterfly Award. His work not only sets a standard for excellence but also serves as a profound inspiration for others to create a lasting, positive impact on the lives of children with diabetes worldwide.

The International Camping Fellowship is honored to celebrate Prof. Şükrü Hatun’s exemplary contributions with the ICF Butterfly Award 2024.