Camp Blue Skies 2018 summer newsletter

Our Mission: To offer camps to adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing their lives through recreation, socialization and life skills education.

CampBlueSkies.org

SUMMER 2018

Long-time supporter named Camp Director Founding team member pursues new career Jim Guimond, a long-time cabin counselor and the Balance Your Body program instructor, traded in his yellow Volunteer shirt for a blue Staff polo shirt when he became Camp Director earlier this year.

“The need for a Camp Director became more apparent as we continued to grow, and we didn’t have to look far for the perfect person,” said Dick Sesler, founder of Camp Blue Skies.

Another factor for creating the new role is the departure of Liz Rumbaugh as Program Director and the “voice” of camp. Liz, who has been with us since the beginning, is training to be a life coach. She promises she’ll visit camp.

As Camp Director, Jim works closely with other team members on camper

and volunteer recruitment while making sure our programming continues to engage, educate and entertain adults with developmental disabilities. He also is taking on some of Rebecca Hilinski’s camp duties as she focuses more on our foundation.

Jim, who lives in Charlotte, is a life coach, fitness technology consultant, personal trainer, and triathlete. He owns Live Well Charlotte LLC and co-owns Kinetic Heights, an indoor, obstacle-based challenge and fitness center.

Along with leadership development and fitness training, he works one-on-one and in groups with individuals with developmental disabilities at Kinetic Heights and Charlotte Athletic Club. He volunteers with Special Olympics, Camp SOAR, The Exceptional Foundation of Charlotte and Autism After 18.

New partnerships with Clemson and Warren Wilson A note from Dick Sesler, founder Camp Blue Skies is always on the lookout for new partnerships and innovative programs that will support and benefit adults with developmental disabilities.

We were fortunate to have Clemson University students return for another year. In March, ten Clemson students (in photo) volunteered at our Georgia camp for adults with Williams syndrome.

Volunteering as counselors is a part of their spring semester course offered

by Clemson.

In February, they joined the Georgia Southern University students at Camp

Twin Lakes-Rutledge for a training session and came to the volunteer training the day before camp started.

Terry Monkaba, Executive Director of the Williams Syndrome Association, offered a detailed presentation about Williams syndrome.

This fall, we’re looking forward to having students from Warren Wilson College spend a week with us in North Carolina. Warren Wilson in Swannanoa, NC, is a private four-year liberal arts college near Asheville. If you’re coming to camp, keep an eye out for them!

 If you know of a college that might be interested in providing volunteers or a program we should take a look at, email me at Dick@CampBlueSkies.org.

Hoops For Camp and Sweet 16 challenges net $15,600 Thanks to 350 donors, our Hoops For Camp NCAA Bracket Challenge raised over $15,600 to support our camps for adults with developmental disabilities.

This year, Hoops included a “second chance” Sweet 16 Round challenge for folks with busted brackets or who wanted to up their chances of winning.

Winners in the drawings included: Top 10 Eric Machemer Overall league Saxby Chaplin

CORNHOLE FOR CAMP 2018 RAISES $5,000 A record 36 teams and over 100 spectators raised $5,000 for our “Send A Camper To Camp” fund during the second annual Cornhole For Camp tournament Feb. 24 at Triple C Brewing Company in Charlotte.

Congratulations to tourney champs Matthew Ginther and Clinton Ingram! They won the $500 grand prize. It was a great day of fun for everyone, and we recruited a few new campers and volunteers.

What started out as a silent auction ended up in a good-natured bidding war. Kevin Watson and Dylan Ellerbee, who were among the tourney finalists, made the winning bid of $360, which happens to be the fee a camper pays to attend a week of camp.

A highlight of the day was the impromptu auction for handcrafted cornhole boards made by Dave Rudel of Cut. Chop. Serve.

Dave passed by Triple C while walking his dog and saw our banners and the cool cornhole boards provided by Roby Construction. Dave returned and donated

Cornhole For Camp is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Blue Skies Boosters. Sponsors of this year’s event included Centerlane Capital, Champion Concrete Cutting, Fairfield Chair Company, RED Partners, Roby Construction, Savills Studley, and Triple C Brewing.

Slam Dunk Team Cushman Wakefield Atlanta

All proceeds provide financial assistance for campers by bridging the gap between the tuition rate and the true cost per camper. Camp Blue Skies can accommodate 65 campers at each session.

This year’s derby goal is $25,000 which will help cover expenses for about 31 campers.

Sweet 16 Round Damian Miller Winners could choose to have gift cards from Visa, Amazon or Apple. Cushman Wakefield Atlanta donated the Breakfast of Champions prize back to Camp Blue Skies.

 The Hoops For Camp NCAA Bracket Challenge and The Sweet 16 Round will return in March. Interested in sponsoring the event as part of our 10th Anniversary celebration?

Email Amy@CampBlueSkies.org.

the cornhole boards he made exclusively from locally sourced and sustainably harvested hardwoods. He told us to sell them if it would help our mission.

Sept. 27-28, 2018 Spots are going quickly for Hooked on Camp Fishing Derby, a fundraiser for Camp Blue Skies that offers anglers the exclusive opportunity to fish on Lake Broyhill, a pristine 140-acre lake teeming with largemouth bass and bream.

Lake Broyhill is part of YMCA Camp Harrison which serves as the North Carolina home of Camp Blue Skies.

Fees are $2,000 per boat or $1,000 per angler ($900 per person is tax deductible). The derby is limited to 20 anglers. Ten experienced guides donate their time, boat, gas, and tackle.  Interested in signing up? Visit CampBlueSkies.org/hooked or email Amy@CampBlueSkies.org.

things that are great about Camp Blue Skies Brian Werner (left) and Sean Tuck created this Top 10 list and presented during the Variety Show at Camp Blue Skies-Williams Syndrome at Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge:

TRADITION Come back year after year

FOOD Bless the cooks

MUSIC Singing and dancing at meals

MEMORIES FOR LIFE Experiences you will never forget

LEARN NEW SKILLS You'll learn new things and can teach someone else outside of camp

EVENING ACTIVITIES Variety show, Karaoke, Dance night (Party, Party, Party)

CABIN TIME Rest, hang out and get to know your cabin mates

CAMPFIRE & S’MORES Party Time!

MAKE NEW FRIENDS FOR LIFE They become part of your family

CAMP CHALLENGES Do something you never thought you could do

Special thanks to Camp Twin Lakes for partnership Camp Twin Lakes provides significant financial assistance through its Camper Scholarship Program that helps make our two camps possible every March in Rutledge.

For 25 years, Camp Twin Lakes has delivered fully adaptive, medically supportive, and deeply impactful camp experiences to those with special needs. Besides the great camp in Rutledge, Camp Twin Lakes has

camps in Winder and Warm Springs and provides Camp-to-Go programs at children’s hospitals and other locations throughout Georgia.

Spotlight: Dr. Jerri Kropp and Dr. Brent Wolfe “I guess we've given up our spring break for the rest of our lives,” Dr. Jerri Kropp remembers saying to Dr. Brent Wolfe after Georgia Southern University’s first session with Camp Blue Skies in 2011.

Seven years later, Brent calls the work with Camp Blue Skies “the most pure thing that I do.” Jerri quickly agrees.

The pair tag-teams coordinating Georgia Southern University’s Alternative Spring Break program for students to volunteer with Camp Blue Skies. She is an Associate Professor of Child and Family Development, and he’s a Professor of Recreational Therapy.

Dan Matthews, Camp Twin Lakes Chief Operating Officer, played matchmaker: GSU was looking to add another Alternative Spring Break for students, and Camp Blue Skies needed volunteers.

So far, around 160 students have spent the week with our campers instead of heading to the beach. “Some attended all four years,” said Brent. “And some are still volunteering.”

GSU students begin volunteer training sessions in January and visit Camp Twin Lakes in February to train with the Camp Blue Skies team. “The student who starts with us in January is not the same student after camp,” Brent says.

“Students love to see the campers over-

come hurdles and accomplish goals,” Jerri said. “Often, the students are transformed by these amazing experiences and come to the realization that the campers are just like them. Seeing that change in our students is incredible.”

Spending a week at camp is such a transformative experience that some students change their majors when they get back to school, Brent said. Many become strong advocates for our community.

Camp Blue Skies uses the GSU partnership as a template when approaching other schools about volunteering. The key to the successful relationship? “You have to work with partners that are passionate and see it as something students will want to do, not something they have to do,” Jerri says. “Or else it becomes just a line on their CV,” Brent says.

The week also has become part of Brent and Jerri’s families’ lives. One of Brent’s daughter’s birthdays usually falls during camp and is celebrated at camp. Jerri’s husband will come for a few days if his schedule permits. Wrigley, a certified therapy dog that Jerri owns and handles, volunteered until 2017. The white German Shepherd turned 11 this year and is beloved by many campers, volunteers and staff members.

What do they do when they’re not at camp or teaching? Jerri loves to read and enjoys

“Often, the students are transformed by these amazing experiences and come to the realization that the campers are just like them. Seeing that change in our students is incredible.” traveling with her husband to countries such as Ireland, Scotland, Italy and France.

They also have two grandchildren to visit these days. Brent enjoys having unplanned adventures with his family and perfecting his night photography skills. “I go to crazy places in the middle of the night and take photos.”

Camp Twin Lakes again hosted volunteers from Pi Kappa Phi’s The Ability Experience during our Camp Blue Skies-Georgia session. When they weren’t working on projects around Twin Lakes, the 24 students and alumni joined us at meals and for group activities. The Ability Experience is the fraternity’s philanthropy program that serves people with developmental disabilities.

PI KAPPA PHI VOLUNTEERS RETURN

Volunteering were Blake Brown, William Celebrezze, Jacob Day, Kevin Dukes, Nicholas Ebelhack, Zack Frewert, Christopher George, Alex Heerding, Ben Heggemann, Hunter Hoffman, Mark Leonardo II, Patrick Lucitt, Brandon Mabrey, Lucas Marling, Marc Ramirez, Tyler Roneker, Juan Rosas, Conner Salmons, Tyler Smith, James Sterling, Frank Vollmer, Ryan Wands, Noah Webber, and Benjamin Wilson. The students came from schools such as Illinois Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Truman State University (Missouri), University of Louisville, and Western Illinois University.

Circle of L

ve - Our Volunteers

Our Circle of Love comprises the dedicated persons who have recently given their time, love and support, all priceless gifts.

Both Sessions Michael Coulter Jessie Lehmann Debby Rea Alan Ross Dan Sturzenbecker Georgia Alex Allmond Samantha Amoss Diane Ayunimjam Sadie Binkley Bob Carithers Adam Cobb Jasmine Corn Kady Crump Jeffery Davis Rebecca Dideum Haley Duffey Morgan Duncan Phung Duong Holly Edison Taylor Ellison Jordan Ernsberger Diana Figueroa Kayleigh Greene Delaney Grimm Joseph Hart Andrea Holloway

Sarah Holmes Sydney Horne Nicole Howie Matt Humphries Tori Hunt Lindsay Hurd Wes Imundo Anjali Jarrett Alison Jibilian Mekia Johnson Jerri Kropp Tammy Lynn Harry McCoy Pat Murphy Seema Patel Olympia Paul Jeralyn Prosen Rachel Radford Hunter Reynolds Michael Robinson Nick Rogers Christina Sartain Laurel Savelli Doug Sheffield April Sisco Andrew Smallwood Anna Smith Amanda Snyder Susan Stafford

Narissa Strozier Becca Taunton Trina Von Waldner Hettie Warlick Sandy Weaver Andrew Webb Samantha Wingate Brent Wolfe Maci Wood Mari Yuan Weimin Yuan Williams Syndrome Rachel Andress Brandon Archer Hope Askew Xavier Bauguess Valerie Bohannon Karen Breth Erin Callaham Thomas Carr David Caswell Dede Caughman Rachel Cohen Tom Cox Millie Cox Ryan Cromer Gail Dawkins

Myles Frazier Brent Gribble Carrie Guerrette Johnathan Hamrick Tourie Haney Carson Hatcher Chris Jamison Chris Klein Emma Leroux Jennifer Lewis Kaity Mitchell Terry Monkaba

Sheryl Niemeyer Lisa Olsen Grace Outhous Brady Ramberg Rene Reese Ashley Rizzo Faith Roman Haden Sears Michelle Stegall Mavis Stevens Jasper Westbrook

Forrest Lennard donates shirts to recognize volunteers

Want to Volunteer?

Camp Blue Skies operates mainly with the help of volunteers who attend from one to five days. Volunteers serve as our cabin counselors, day volunteers, program instructors, nurses and photographers/videographers.

Want more info or to sign up?

 For North Carolina sessions, contact Alison Barry, Alison@CampBlueSkies.org.  For Georgia sessions, contact Emily Finn, Emily@CampBlueSkies.org.

As a special thank you to volunteers in 2018, Forrest Lennard, a maker of luxury, casual shirts, donated white shirts customized with an embroidered Camp Blue Skies logo.

Forrest Lennard is owned by Woody and Adria Appleby, long-time supporters and volunteers. Adria is the mother of camper Brandon Burrows. The Applebys wanted to honor the hard work and dedication of volunteers who make camp possible.

“These beautiful shirts are a great way to express gratitude to our volunteers and another way to spread the word about camp,” said Dick Sesler.

“Volunteers in Georgia loved the shirts, and North Carolina volunteers shouldn’t worry, we have shirts for you, too.”

Forrest Lennard shirts are available at retailers in 19 states. The company is based in Davidson, NC. For more info: ForrestLennard.com.

Thank You to Our Recent Donors

Amy Gerber Miller Getz Thank you to all organizations, foundations and individuals who provide financial and in-kind support Andrew Ghertner for Camp Blue Skies. This list recognizes donations from Jan. 1 to June 15, 2018.

Matthew Ginther Andy Gitelson Blue Skies ($5,000+) Bob Carithers Thomas Bauer Tyler Courtney David and Laura Glasscock John and Mary Ann Boorn James and Dede Caughman Jonathan Beall Vanessa Covington Peter Glover Charlotte Woman's Club Centerlane Capital Beth Beasley Tom and Millie Cox Marie and Dennis Goforth John and Mary Franklin Liza Cox Kim Beavers Chip Craighill Megan Golden Foundation Tom and Alice Gavigan Ryan Beckner Will Daniell Karen M Golembeski Brad Klatt Robert Henry Keith Bell Clayton Davie Randy Gonyea Art Lund Mike Kavanagh Morgan Berg Jefferey Davis John Gordon The Merancas Foundation Donald A. Miller Charlie Bernstein Ward and Kristy Davis Lori Gougeon Marshall Tycher Champion Concrete Cut- Bryan Berthold Andrew DeLamielleure Wade Grace Bill and Barbra Wood ting Patrick Blackley George Dewey Brett and Stacy Gray Cristy Nine Jane and Phillip Blount Jean Dietrich Patrick Grayson Zipliners PWC YourCause Matt Bramwell Dan M Dillon Spencer Green ($1,000-$4,999) Real Estate Development Helen Brennan James Donahue Rhea Greene Bradford and Alison Barry Partners James Brennan Dave Dougherty and Anita Devereaux Gregg Mary Barry Savills Studley MK Brennan Blanchard Scott Greig Ken Bartels and Jane Dee Schwab Andrew and Christy Brock Trey Dove Brent Gribble Condon Mark Von Waldner Drew Brock Paul Drobnitch Brian Gribble Gary Chesson Collin and Christy Wade Stephen Brodsky James L Dugan James Keith Guimond Citizens Charitable Kevin Whittington Watson Craig Brondyke Debra Duggan Bernadette Guzman Foundation Anne S. & W. Fletcher Alex Brown Duke Energy Foundation Hoyt and Alison Hackney Robert and Gwen Dalton Wright Charitable Fund Allen Brown Scott Dunstan Allen and Margie Haines John Lenhart Angel Brown Savannah Durban Addie Hall Walter and Libba Sprunt Helping Hands Joe Bugica Jubal Early T. Patrick Hammeke Allan and Bonnie Sweet (up to $249) Linda Butler Jeffrey Echt David Hamrick Maria Tiarks Rick Achberger Ivan and Victoria Byrd Irving Edelstein Janice Hardy David Alexander Nick Cala Brannen Edge Becky Harris Dude Ranchers Corey Allen Gay Cass Pierce Edwards Bryan Hartnett ($500-$999) Taylor Allison Justin M Caudill Sara Ellefson John Hartnett Woody and Adria Appleby Aileen Almassy Saxby Chaplin Dylan Ellerbee JJ Hay John and Josephine Beall Tom Alsop Caroline Cheek Freddy Emberger Kathy Hibbitts Geoffrey Dohrmann Michael Anderson Cherokee Beekeepers Steve and Janice Ezzo Doug Hider Fairfield Chair Company Thomas Anderson Association Ronnie Fairclough Rebecca Hilinski Doug Sheffield Meredith Russell Anglin Brad Cherry Walter D. Fisher Brian Hill Trey Sheridan Nolan Ashton John Christenbury Flagship Healthcare Natasha Hillesheim Rebecca Taunton Kelly Augustin Philip Ciccarello Properties Jon and Brenda Holcomb Kirk and Liz Ward Robert and Susan Damian Cihak Marc Folladori Sam Hollis Weprin Family Aulebach James David Cloer Kevin Fossum Pam Holloway Philanthropic Fund of the Barbara Balder Lillie Cochran Matthew Fowler Patricia M Hott Dallas Jewish Community Sadler Barnhardt Jay Cohen Michael Fowler Matthew Houchins Arthur Bartlett Drew Coholan Ashley Funderburk Bob Howell Avery Bass Walker Collier Reggie Gaither Brett Hubler Meghann Batchelor James Blecke Adam Colvin Kelli Garca Jessamy Huckel Tracy Connor Scott Garmon Rachel Hull Lee Cooley Danny Gassaway Lynda Hunley Chris Copenhaver Steve and Michelle Ben Jackson JP Cordeiro Gassaway Peter James Lee Cory Linda Gentry Lorry Jensen (Continued on page 7) Mike Coulter Foley George

Camp Blue Skies sponsors 5K to benefit Down syndrome On March 24, right after the end of Camp Blue Skies-Williams Syndrome, Jim Guimond and Holly Scheppegrell represented Camp Blue Skies at the 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K in Charlotte. Despite the cold morning, Jim spoke to nine folks who were interested in Camp Blue Skies. Hope we’ll see some of them at camp this fall.

Anne Johnson Charlie Johnson Rachel Johnson Samuel Johnson David Jones Phillip and Kenna Jordan Joanne Jurich Andy and Florence Kane Mack Keasler Sean Kehoe Gene Keller and Marcheta McDonald Don and Susan Kemp Brian Kennedy Eric Kent Grant Keyes Jack Kidd Beth Kilguss Sally King Jonathan Kinny Ridr Knowlton Glenn Kolker Jan Kolker Christopher Kollme Stanley Kottke Brett Koutnik Jon Kuskie Andrew Laing Jeff LaPiana JoAnn V Larsen Denise Lawless Meredi Lee Charles Leonard Aaron LePoire Karen Levanson Boyd Lewis Jack Little Mike Longmore Kyle Lorenz Nanette Loudon Jake Luken Kevin Lynch Eric Machemer Ros Mallory Alexandra Mangimelli Molly Manion Alexandra Mann Dan Maples Steven Martinek Brian and Anna Matthews Brian Matthews

Tyler Maxfield Bill and Sloane Mayberry Jon Mayeske Angus and Margaret McBryde Patrick McCarthy Connie McCleary Ruth MccCymonds Kara McCoy Jim McDermott Alex McDonald Chris Mcgraw Mary McGuire Taylor McHale John McMann Dean McNaughton Shea Meddin Nick Mellott Dunn Mileham Jennifer Miles Rebecca Miles Damian Miller Elizabeth Miller Bill and Amy Millikan Joel and Bonnie Millikan Alison Mills Mold Solutions Isabella Molinari Stephen Thomas Monahan Monroe Beekeepers Association Chase and Jennifer Monroe Eugene Moore Douglas Morrison Elise Morrison Tim Morton Danny Mueller Brian Mulcahy Casey Mulhern Beth Mumaw Pat Murphy Carol Nash Lee Neumann Nicholas P. Chiara & Co. Caroline Nolen Hendrik and Brittany Nollens Phil and Marianne Norwood

Tributes Donations were made in honor of the following: Alison Barry Brent Sesler Matt Cullen John Lenhart

Donations were made in memory of the following: Bruno Molinari Nancy Coulter

Brooke Nunley Chad Nusbaum Joe O'Connor John O'Halloran Claire Oakley James O’Neil Lisa Overacre Joseph Pangburn Matt Parkhill April Parrish Thomas Passenant Brad Pence Mary Jo Perrette Martin Pick Eve Pilkington Blake Pittman Brad Pittman Kelly Plott Christie Ponsot Chris Poppell Laura Power Tom Prescott Travis Presnell Will Propst Kimberly Proshek Matthew Pyles Kimberly Quick Ryan Ramey Amy Ravenelle Blake Rawlins Bo Reddic James and Kristen Reed Mark and Pamela Reeder Caitlin Reilly Charles Ripple Dave Risdon Faith Roberts Dean Rogers Kerry Rose Kelly Ruiz Rick Rutledge Annette Salazar Jeff Sasser Steve and Tobie Sasser Downie Saussy Chris and Holly Scheppegrell William Schmitt Rodney Scott Stephanie Scurlock Jackie Selle Cathy Sheehan John Short Jake Sixour Brent Smith David Smith Dean Spaulding Erica Starkey A.B. Steen Ron Steen Ryan Steen Paul and Julia Steffens

Shoppers raise nearly $900 for campers at Lilly Pulitzer in Atlanta The Lilly Pulitzer store at Atlanta’s Phipps Plaza held a “shop for a cause” day on March 10. Lilly Pulitzer donated $871, 10% of the day's proceeds, to the Camp Blue Skies Foundation. Shoppers also had the chance to learn more about our mission and received info for future campers and how to get involved. Thanks to the staff at Lilly Pulitzer and to Mallie Bragg for making this happen!

Cathy Sterling Robert Stickel Brad Strathe Tom and KC Strohbehn Andy Sumlin Charles and Leighann Swanson Alisha Tate Tripp Tate Joe and Rosalind Taylor Mike S Tax Kerry Thomas Myles Thomas Tami Thomas Blair Thompson Steve Thompson J J Thrall Nicole Tobin Michael Tomlinson Joshua Trammell Matt Treble Gary Trybus Mark and Lisa Tyler Zachery Tyler Chad Utermark Barry and Karen Wabler Marybeth Wade William C Walker Laura Wallace Jeffrey L Watkins Sam Watson Sandy Weaver Tina Weaver Noel Weeks John Wehmeyer George Wells Bob and Laura Wiberg Kurt Wilczek Keith Willby

Christianna Williams Scott Williams Marshall Williamson Angela Wilson Sharon Wilson Erub Wiltse Peyton Wimberly Sonia Winfield Jeff Witek Colton Witherspoon Jaysen and Ashley Witherspoon David Wood Marla Wood Fran Wright Vikrant Yalavarti Weimin and Mari Yuan Marilyn Zilka Daniel and Alicia Zink Rob and Susan Zink John Zintak In-Kind Donations Lead Source Marketing Woody and Adria Appleby of Forrest Lennard Triple C Brewing Co. Roby Construction

2820 Selwyn Ave., Box 767 Charlotte, NC 28209 CampBlueSkies.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Camp Blue Skies-Georgia Hooked On Camp Fishing Derby fundraiser Sept. 27-28, YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC Camp Blue Skies-NC #1 Oct. 6-10, YMCA Camp Harrison Volunteer orientation: Oct. 5 Camp Blue Skies-NC #2 Oct. 13-17, YMCA Camp Harrison Volunteer orientation: Oct. 12

Camp Blue Skies-Williams Syndrome Camp Blue Skies-Williams Syndrome March 11-15, 2019, Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge, GA Volunteer orientation: March 10 Camp Blue Skies-Georgia March 18-22, 2019, Camp Twin Lakes Volunteer orientation: March 17 Applications for our camps in Georgia open in early November.

CONTACT INFO 704-266-2267 CampBlueSkies.org Contact@CampBlueSkies.org Facebook.com/CampBlueSkiesUSA Twitter.com/CampBlueSkies Instagram.com/CampBlueSkies