Camp For All Fall 2019 Newsletter

FALL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS:

Professional Tips: Bringing Barrier-Free Home Find Your Camp Special Events How To Get Involved and more!

From The Chair

BY PATRICK SAMUELS

With this letter, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself as the Chair elect for the Camp For All Board of Directors 2020 and 2021.

I have been involved with Camp For All for more than 10 years following college graduation where I served on the Camp For All Young Professionals Board. Following the YP Board, I have served on the Board of Directors and most recently in the role of Treasurer.

Camp For All is near and dear to my heart, as it positively impacts thousands of lives every single year. I got to experience this first-hand just a few months ago when I volunteered with the AIDS Foundation of Houston, Camp Hope. Taking a day out of the summer to come volunteer and serve the campers of Camp Hope was truly a memorable experience. After completing four culinary station challenges in the Camp For All Camper Kitchen, we left Camp For All that afternoon overjoyed and energized from our time experiencing Camp firsthand. If you would like to volunteer individually or with a group to experience Camp, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

We’ve got big plans for 2020 that I’m thrilled to start working on and help take Camp For All to the next level. We plan to serve a record number of campers next year and Camp For All 2U will

continue to expand, as well. We intend to improve safety and efficiency in both our ropes and ranch program by adding new hydraulic systems and lifts that make activities safer for the staff and more comfortable and enjoyable for campers. We also plan to increase the educational aspects of Camp programming, allowing for the school groups that come to Camp For All to continue to learn while they have fun.

As always, Camp For All would not be possible without our generous donors, our committed Partners and the extremely dedicated and passionate staff. I am honored to be a part of an organization that truly cares for all and can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2020!

Camper Quotes “My favorite thing about Camp was meeting people like me. I never knew anyone before who had PKU and am grateful to have made friends that do and go through the same things as me.”

— PHEVER CAMPER, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER

“I am a cancer survivor and Camp For All has become my second home. It’s a place that changed my life more than I can put into words!!”

– DREAMCATCHER CAMPER, MCLANE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE

“Camp is the one place where I feel like I can just be myself and be a kid.”

— HOPE CAMPER, AIDS FOUNDATION HOUSTON 2 | CAM P F O R A L L | FA L L 20 19

MORE WOW!

BY PAT PRIOR SORRELLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO

2019 has been another WOW year for Camp For All and nearly 11,000 campers. The Ranch now has 23 horses! This number gives the horses a break, so they are fresher for campers to ride longer on newly added trails. Camp For All 2U expanded, as well and served more than 400 campers including inside Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands.

One of the most exciting projects that opened in the spring, was the renovation of the first Amphitheater and the construction of an entirely new and larger Amphitheater and Canoe program area on the lake. The camper and Partner feedback have been nothing short of phenomenal.

Camp For All continues to be a national leader in creating and providing proven life changing experiences through passionate and professional staff, cutting edge facilities and innovative programming. WOW!

AMPHITHEATERS UNIQUE HIGHLIGHTS • Sound system and lights • Raised seating for all ages • Shade structure for instruction and sun protection • Larger canoe dock to accommodate more campers • Purchased new canoe support devices so everyone can canoe • Raised rings around firepits for camper safety • Not just accessible, but barrier-free

MISSION Camp For All is a unique, barrier-free camp working in partnership with other not-for-profits to enrich the lives of children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs and their families throughout the year.

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Camps that come to Camp For All

HOW TO FIND THE CAMP FOR YOU: 1

Visit www.campforall.org

2

Click the “Find Your Camp” button in the navigation bar

3

Select the category or categories that apply to you or your loved one

4

Contact the organization directly to sign up!

*Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

Spring 2020

DATE CAMP NEED PARTNER Jan 17-19 Wacky Winter Weekend Children and adults with epilepsy EpilepsyFoundationofTexasHouston/Dallas/Fortworth Jan 24-26 First Light Family Camp Veterans and their families Easter Seals of Greater Houston Jan 24-26 Re-Evaluation Counseling Adults in counseling with mental health issues Re-Evaluation Counseling Jan 31-Feb 2 Be An Angel Families that have a child with special needs Be An Angel Fund Feb 5 BSSLC Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center Feb 7-9 Cell-A-Bration Adult Retreat Adults with sickle cell disease Sickle Cell Association of Austin MarkThomas Foundation Feb 7-9 CSA Family Camp School for children with learning differences Capitol School of Austin Feb 12 BSSLC Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center Feb 14-16 Shining Stars Family Camp Families that have a child with kidney disease Kidney Kamp Foundation Feb 14-16 Love Without Limits Children with orthopedic and neurological diagnosis Shriner’s Hospital for Children Feb 21-23 Retreat of Renewal Families who have lost a loved one to cancer Texas Children’s Hospital Feb 21-23 M.O.S.T. Teens with physical challenges Easter Seals of Greater Houston Feb 21-23 LIFE Children with physical and intellectual challenges Texas A&M University Feb 28-Mar 1 du Ballon Rouge Children and teens with Tourette syndrome Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas Feb 28-Mar 1 Down Syndrome Family Camp Families who have a child with Down syndrome Down Syndrome Association of Texas Mar 1 Camp Friendship Smile Camp for children born with a cleft lip or palate Friendship Smile Mar 5-6 Camp For Joy Children with language and learning differences The Joy School Mar 4 BSSLC Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center Mar 5-8 Xtreme Young adults participating in wheelchair sports TIRR Foundation Mar 6-9 Cell-A-Bration Next Level Teens with Sickle Cell disease Sickle Cell Association of Austin MarkThomas Foundation Mar 13-15 Champ Camp Families with a child with multiple sclerosis National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mar 16-20 Rocks Youth with autism Camp Journey Mar 16-20 Camp For All 2 U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital Mar 20-22 Retreat of Renewal Spanish-speaking families who have lost Texas Children’s Hospital

- Spanish Speaking a loved one to cancer Mar 20-22 Keep Smiling Children with a cleft palate Texas Children’s Hospital Mar 27 Kolter Texas Trek Children with and without learning differences Kolter School Mar 27-29 Pump it Up Children with cardiovascular challenges Texas Children’s Hospital April 1-3 Thrive Academy Children with learning differences Thrive Academy April 1-3 Monarch Butterfly Children with neurological differences The Monarch School April 3-5 Periwinkle Family Camp Families affected by cancer/other life-threatening illness The Periwinkle Foundation April 3-5 YOLO Teens with life-threatening illnesses and their siblings The Periwinkle Foundation April 5 Camp Life Day Camp Children with physical and intellectual challenges Texas A&M University April 8 BSSLC Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center April 8-9 Parish School Children with social and learning differences The Parish School April 15-17 S.M.I.L.E. Children with autism The Westview School April 17-19 SIA Children and teens with gastrointestinal diseases Texas Children’s Hospital April 16-19 No Limits Children with amputations and limb deformities No Limits Limb Loss Foundation April 19 Dermadillo Family Day Camp Families who have a child with a skin disorder A Children’s House for the Soul April 22 Rockdale Elementary Children with special needs Rockdale Elementary April 23-24 Monarch Chrysalis Children with neurological differences The Monarch School April 24-26 Be An Angel Families who have a child with special needs Be an Angel Fund April 29 BSSLC Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center May 1-3 Higher Ground Adults with brain injuries Texas District Pilots Clubs May 6 BSSLC Teen and adults with intellectual disabilities Brenham State Supported Living Center May 8 T.H. Rogers Children in the Vanguard program with

hearing impairments and multiple challenges T.H. Rogers School May 8-10 CPALs Texas Camp Families who have a child with cerebral palsy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Transition Hope

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Summer 2020 *Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

DATE CAMP NEED PARTNER May 21-23 Camp Janus Children with burns Memorial Hermann Hospital/Shriner’s Hospital May 25-29 Camp Sunrise Teens with developmental challenges Briarwood Tuttle School May 27-29 Camp Shooting Stars Adults with intellectual disabilities Hill Country MHDD May 26-29 Monarch Butterfly Children with neurological differences The Monarch School June 1-5 Camp For All 2U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- Texas Children’s Hospital Main Campus May 31-June 5 MDA Summer Camp Children with neuromuscular disease Muscular Dystrophy Association June 7-13 Camp Spike N Wave Children with epilepsy Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston /Dallas/Fort Worth June 14-19 Camp Star Trails Children with cancer and blood disorders MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital June 15-19 Camp For All 2U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- Dell Children’s Hospital June 21-26 Rainbow Connection Children and teens with cancer Childhood Cancer Connection June 21-26 Camp Dreamcatcher Children with cancer McLane Children’s Medical Center June 22-26 Camp For All 2U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus June 28-July 3 Camp That Love Built Children and adults with spina bifida Spina Bifida Association of Houston June 28-July 3 Camp Smiles Children with cerebral palsy Easter Seals of Greater Houston July 5-10 Camp Xtreme Children participating in wheelchair sports TIRR Foundation July 5-10 Camp PHEver Children and teens with phenylketonuria (PKU) Texas Children’s Hospital July 5-10 Camp Social Superheros Children with social and learning differences The Parish School July 6-10 Camp For All 2 U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital July 12-17 Camp Hope Children with HIV or AIDS AIDS Foundation Houston July 19-24 Camp Champions Campers 10-30 with intellectual challenges The ARC of Greater Houston July 20-24 Camp For All 2U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- Children’s Memorial Hermann July 26-31 Camp Periwinkle Children with cancer and their siblings The Periwinkle Foundation July 27-31 Camp For All 2U Program for children in hospitals Camp For All

- Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands Aug 2-7 Camp Cell-A-Bration Children with sickle cell disease Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation Aug 2-7 Camp Discovery Texas Children with skin disorders American Academy of Dermatology Aug 4-9 Camp Shining Stars Children with kidney disease Kidney Kamp Foundation Aug 11-14 TR Summit Conference for therapeutic recreation specialits Texas Recreation and Park Society

PROFESSIONAL

Find your Camp, or recommend a camp to a friend or family member.

TIPS

Bringing Barrier-Free Home BY SARAH WALLACE, PROGRAM MANAGER AT CAMP FOR ALL Camp For All is magical. It’s powerful. It’s free from barriers and limitations. It’s a place full of strength, love, healing, acceptance and basically any other positive adjective you can think of.

But, let’s face it…the world sometimes isn’t. Use these 3 tips – listed in no particular order – in your daily life to help bring the magic and acceptance of Camp to the rest of the world!

Tip #2: People are Just People, so Relax Always treat each person as an individual and never assume anything about someone’s limitations.

• When communicating with anyone with a different ability make sure to be attentive.

• Ask clarifying questions if you are unsure of what they said.

• Speak clearly and directly, adjusting your pace, if necessary.

• Treat adults as adults, kids as kids and most importantly, relax!

Tip #1: Reframe by Using Person-First Language Sometimes when describing someone, their disability is listed before their name, which defines a person by their disability. That’s not cool, so let’s fix that!

• Use person-first language to focus on the person, not their disability.

•A person’s name should always be mentioned before their disability because it doesn’t define them…and honestly there’s a 99.9% chance that their difference has nothing to do with what you’re talking about.

•T he R-word should be banned from your vocabulary. Words matter!

•B etter yet, instead of using the word “disability” at all, let’s use the term “different abilities.”

Tip #3: Keep Your Hands to Yourself Those buttons on that tablet look pretty snazzy. That dog looks super soft. This wheelchair is a perfect height for me to lean on. You might think these things and they might be true, but that doesn’t mean you should act on them. Would you like it if someone walked up to you and started touching your hat because it’s soft or leaning on your head just because you’re a bit smaller than them? Nope? Didn’t think so. Remember that accessibility equipment of any kind (even service dogs) are an extension of a person’s body. So, practice working on personal space.

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Camp For All Events are Special!

• PLACE: The Post Oak Hotel • CHAIRS: Cheryl and Joshua Samuels; Leslie and Eric Wade • HONOREES: Kelty and Rogers Crain • FUNDS RAISED: $800,000

• Hotel Alessandra • 38 rappellers • $110,000 raised

• PLACE: Fireman’s Training Center • CHAIRS: Sabrina Altman and Debbie Bender • HONOREES: Cathleen and Bob Davis • FUNDS RAISED: $265,000

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VOLUNTEER! campforall.org/volunteer/ At Camp

Events

Camp For All 2U

Contact our Volunteer Supervisor:

Camp For All hosts two galas per year as well as our annual Over The Edge event. The events team works year round to make these events happen and can always use extra hands when planning, setting up and breaking down.

Assist in bringing the joy of Camp For All directly to the hospitals for campers who are unable to leave and attend Camp! Serving multiple locations both in Houston and Austin throughout the summer and during spring break.

Susanna Leonard 979-289-3752 sleonard@campforall.org

Contact our Special Events Manager: Ricki Hendrix 713-686-5666 ext. 15 rhendrix@campforall.org

Visit the Camp For All website or contact Lindsay Gallmore at lgallmore@ campforall.org. *Volunteers must be 18 years-old or older and submit a liability release, background check and a negative results TB test dated within the past 12 months.*

Join Young Professionals

Join Camp Friends

Based in Houston, the Camp For All Young Professionals (YP) is a service, leadership and social organization comprised of young men and women who support the mission of Camp For All. Through social gatherings, volunteering at Camp and fundraising events, members strive to increase awareness of Camp For All among the young adult community. Members enjoy the benefits of social and peer networking and have an opportunity to develop or enhance leadership skills through committee or board service.

Based in Brenham, this group of volunteers is responsible for helping to raise awareness and raise funds for Camp For All. They choose their level of involvement – including volunteering at camp, office support, hosting cultivation events or chairing events in the greater Camp area.

To join or for more information on events and membership, contact Ricki Hendrix at 713.686.5666 ext. 15 or rhendrix@campforall.org.

To join or for more information, contact Ricki Hendrix at 713-686-5666 ext. 15 or rhendrix@ campforall.org.

To become a member or renew your membership visit campforall.org/volunteer/

To become a member or renew your membership visit campforall.org/volunteer/

DONATE! campforall.org/donate/

COME TOUR

CAMP FOR ALL! SCHEDULE A TOUR

BY CALLING 713-686-5666

Camp For All is supported by private philanthropic foundations, individuals, corporations, small businesses and events. The Camp For All total budget is more than $4.8 million, annually. We appreciate donations of any size. Visit https://www.campforall.org/donate/ to donate today or call us at 713-686-5666!

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NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE 3701 KIRBY DRIVE, SUITE 570 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098 6301 REHBURG ROAD • BURTON, TEXAS 77835

PA I D HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 10064

2019 CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS C HA I R

Michael Lewter Marion Anderson Gary Appelt, M.D. Tom Behanick Brett Berly Jason Bernhardt Ginger Bertrand Julie Boushka Rogers Crain Lyndsay Weber Fincher Andy Fossler Steve Gilbreath Mark Harmon John Kelley Matt Mogas Mike Odegard Robin Reed Ann Rogers Patrick Samuels Joshua Samuels, M.D. Lesley Schick Julie Taetz Eric Wade Leslye Weaver Martha White Dena Wren Julius Young EX OF F I C I O

Taylor McDaniel Pat Prior Sorrells Michelle Zschech EM ER I TUS

Paul Gerson, M.D. Laurence B. Neuhaus Robert S. Zeller, M.D. P R E SI DENT A ND C EO

Pat Prior Sorrells L EGA L C OUNSEL

Gary W. Miller

What can you help check off the Camp For All wish list?

Adaptive Saddle: $6,000 Touring Golf Cart: $13,000 4 Burner Range for Special Diets: $2,500 Ice Machine: $3,500 Happy campers!

Help us check these items off our list by contacting Samantha Russell at 713.686.5666, ext. #14.

Follow us! Visit www.campforall.org or call 713.686.5666 for more infomation about donating, attending or volunteering!