If you love adventure and the outdoors, diabetes doesn't need to slow you or your child down. With good planning and the right tools, a day at the beach can be just that, and a trip to the mountains can still be a peak experience.

The Beach and the Water

It is tough enough getting sand in your flip-flops, so how do you manage diabetes in a beach setting? It's not easy, but it can be done. For boys and girls, the issue of how to carry along a meter and backup snacks is always difficult. No kid today wants to lug a pack around all the time, but he does need to have his items handy.

When your child heads to the beach, suggest that she and her friends set up a central spot for the day. They can spread their towels out, set down their other stuff, and your child can put down her supplies. Boys can tuck meters and insulin into the huge pockets of the shorts they wear over their bathing suits. Remind them that direct sunlight and heat can hurt their meter and damage the insulin, so they need to wrap their shorts in a large towel and store it somewhat in the shade. Girls may be willing to carry a cute beach bag–type purse, but again, it will need to be protected from the sun.

In a best-case scenario, your child is willing to carry a cooler to the beach and leave it with her towels. You can make this more palatable. Consider packing a cooler for all their friends. Fill it with flavored waters, fruits, and other fun beach snacks. When your child grimaces at having to bring the cooler, her friends will beg for it, making it okay and totally cool to bring it along.

Pump It Up, Beach Style

What about wearing a pump on the beach? Most pumps are waterproof or at least water resistant now, so getting them wet is not an issue. But getting sand in the site and leaving them sitting on a towel can be problems.

Girls can be particularly picky about pumps with their teeny-tiny bathing suits, but the fact is, while they are at the beach (other than when swimming) they need to keep it on to make the day work well. Most girls choose a site on their hip or side of their leg for a beach day, and then they can tuck the pump into the side of their suit bottom without tubing flowing all over their bodies. Another good spot to tuck a pump is in the center of the back strap of the bikini top. Girls find that location works well with a belly site.

Little girls can follow that same plan, or parents can purchase waterproof neoprene cases that they can wear to hold their pumps. For boys, it's a bit simpler. Pumps can be clipped on the waistline of their bathing suit, or even in the pocket of suits that have them.

To Disconnect or Not?

When it comes to jumping in the water, most kids choose to disconnect.

It's not that the pump might be in danger; it's more a question of comfort. While playing and splashing in the water, most children, particularly older children, would rather feel unencumbered. If you are not with them, you need to set strict rules about how the pump is stored while they are in the water.

First, purchase some high-quality zippered bags that you know will seal, and send them along with your child in the cooler. When your child is going to hit the waves, they should disconnect, store the pump in the bag, and place the bag in a secure, cool place.

If your child is in the water for a long period or wants to be disconnected, set some ground rules. A pump does not need to be on all day. Some children who are on swim teams stay disconnected for hours and hours. The key is you need to check more often. As long as your child checks her blood sugar every couple of hours, she can click the pump on and quickly administer any bolus that might be needed at that time, and she should maintain reasonable numbers all day.

On the Mountains

Skiing, snowboarding, and winter hiking affect different children in different ways. One girl, a beginner skier, reported her blood sugars soaring every time she hit the slopes. Her parents wrote it off to stress and learned to up her basals every ski day. Another girl, a lifelong skier diagnosed when she was a good five years into the sport, found she needed much less insulin on ski days and was able to take snack breaks without bolusing each ski day. It's all as unique as the pattern of each snowflake. Your job is to learn what your child's pattern is and make it work.

It's a good idea to spend the first day out with your child. Take your time and check a lot. Watch what the day does to your child. With that background, you can dive into your winter season with confidence.

While cell phones are your saviors everywhere else, reception can be spotty in the mountains. Good two-way phones are cheap now, and some resorts even rent them out of their ski rental shop. This precaution will give you, and your child, a sense of security, even if you barely use the phone.

The Wilderness

Camping and hiking don't have to end. You just have to be prepared. When heading out into the wilderness, pack two more of every diabetes supply item than you need. Backup meters are a must, as are multiple bottles of insulin (you never know when you might drop one). If your child is pumping and you will be far from civilization, call your pump company. Often, for special trips, pump companies offer loaners for you to carry in case a pump malfunctions.

You'll also want to pack plenty of carbs. Fish from a stream is lovely, but your child needs carbs to match her insulin each day. Granola bars and other energy bars are a great choice.

Making the effort to make these playtimes happen will send your child—and the world—a powerful message: Kids with diabetes can, and will, do anything. Done right, there truly are no boundaries.