Fall 2021 Newsletter

FALL 2021

All has always meant ALL at CAMP!

Find out how you can be a part of it ALL!

From The Chair

PATRICK SAMUELS, BOARD CHAIR

I’m proud to say that this year, Camp For All is BACK! Although we all have faced numerous challenges over the last 18 months, we are so pleased to have been able to keep our gates open, with the proper safety protocols in place. Providing a barrier-free place to come together is vital to our campers and their families and we are so grateful for our passionate and dedicated staff, Partners, Boards, volunteers and supporters for making it all possible.

As my term as Chair of the Board of Directors comes to an end, I am confident that we will be in wonderful hands with the incoming Chair, Joshua Samuels, M.D. A wonderful and generous person, I am sorry to say that we are not related! Not only is this Josh’s third 6-year term on the Camp For All Board of Directors, he is also a Partner as camp director for Shining Stars for children and teens with kidney disease from The Kidney Kamp Foundation, he has been essential to helping us keep our gates open with his medical input and he is a generous donor. On top of all of that, Josh is also a pediatric nephrologist at UT Health. It is obvious that Josh’s unique perspective will surely lead Camp For All to the next level!

I will miss serving as the Chair but will not be far! I can’t wait to continue supporting this amazing organization and participating in all of the successes to come. THANK YOU for the support you have provided to help Camp For All conquer all the obstacles we have faced over the last two years.

Let’s continue to transform the world!

PATRICK SAMUELS

All Means ALL!

Twenty-eight years ago, our founders, Paul Gerson, M.D., who had started Camp Periwinkle for children with cancer, Robert Zeller, M.D., who had started Camp Spike ‘n’ Wave for children with epilepsy and Larry Neuhaus who lost his son, Bo to cancer teamed up to build a camp for ALL children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs. It made perfect sense to name it Camp For All. Before any architectural design, they met with the potential organizations that would use the camp and asked them for feedback on what this camp would need to meet ALL of the needs of the people with special needs they served. The potential “Partners” were asked to dream and dream, big.

So, what do we mean by ALL?

PAT PRIOR SORRELLS, PRESIDENT AND CEO

• We serve ALL kinds of challenges and ALL ages partnering with more than 65 different not-for-profits.

• The barrier-free design of the site allows for the flexibility to suit ALL challenges. In other words, we level the playing field for ALL. • There are multiple ways to accomplish ALL of our activities.

Everyone has different strengths and abilities, and ALL can participate.

•A LL of our bathrooms, showers, doors, sidewalks are barrier-free, not just accessible • Research shows that ALL leave Camp with a sense of hope, a growth in self-confidence and realize they are not alone.

Is that ALL? There is so much more!

– Schedule a tour and come see it ALL! 2 | CAM P F OR A LL | FA L L 20 21

MISSION Camp For All transforms the world for children and adults with special needs or challenging illnesses.

“Sam had very limited motor function in his lower legs, but was insistent on using the slant rock wall to get up at Star Place ropes.

He pulled himself up for 30 minutes as his friends and staff cheered him on.

He seemed tired but refused to quit and made it all the way up and then flew down the zipline!”

“I love coming to camp because I get to see old friends and be able to feel free with people that are like me.”

– XTREME CAMPER, TIRR FOUNDATION

– CAMP FOR ALL STAFF MEMBER

“The combined support from Camp staff and parents allow campers to feel that they can do anything at camp, even something they might have shied away from in every-day life.

Camp is magic!”

– CAMP COUNSELOR, EASTER SEALS OF GREATER HOUSTON

“Our kids both had such a fantastic time and came home full of stories and memories.

Thank you all for putting together such a fantastic weekend!!”

– PARENT OF CAMP FOR ALL 2U CAMPER, THE PARISH SCHOOL

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Find your

Camp!

Spring 2021 DATE CAMP

NEED

PARTNER

Janury 28-30 Coleman

Veterans who have received service dogs

Easter Seals of Greater Houston

February 4-6

Escape Retreat

Adults ages 20 or older with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation

Feb 11-13

Be An Angel

Families that have a child with special needs

Be An Angel Fund Inc.

Feb 18-20

Shining Stars Family Camp

Families that have a child with kidney disease

Kidney Kamp Foundation

Feb 25-27

Love Without Limits

Children with orthopedic and neurological diagnosis Shriner’s Hospital for Children

Feb 27

Friendship Smile

Children born with a cleft lip or palate

Friendship Smile

March 3-4

Camp For Joy

Children with language and learning differences

The Joy School

March 4-7

Cell A Bration Next Level

Teenagers ages 15-19 with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation

April 1-3 Periwinkle Family Camp

Families affected by cancer or other life-threatening illnesses

The Periwinkle Foundation

April 1-3

YOLO

Teens and siblings with life-threatening illnesses

The Periwinkle Foundation

April 6-8

MADE Houston

Children with learning differences

MADE Houston

April 13-14

The Parish School

Children with social and learning differences

The Parish School

April 21-22

Monarch Chrysalis

Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School

April 22

Monarch Chrysalis Day Camp Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School *Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

Summer 2022 DATE CAMP

NEED

PARTNER

May 26-29

Children with burns

Camp Janus

May 30-June 3 Sunrise

Teens with developmental challenges

Briarwood Tuttle School

May 31-June 3 Monarch Butterfly

Children with neurological differences

The Monarch School

June 5-10

MDA Summer Camp

Children and teens with neuromuscular disease

Muscular Dystrophy Association

June 12-18

Spike ‘n’ Wave

Children with epilepsy

Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston/Dallas/Fort Worth

June 19-24

Star Trails

Children with cancer and blood disorders

MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center

June 22

Star Trails Junior Camper Day Children with cancer and blood disorders

MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center

Janus

June 26-July 1 Rainbow Connection

Children and teens with cancer

Childhood Cancer Connection

June 26-July 1 Dreamcatcher

Children with cancer

McLane Children’s Hospital, Baylor Scott and White

July 3-8

Camp That Love Built

Children and adults with spina bifida

Spina Bifida Association Houston Gulf Coast

July 3-8

Smiles

Children with cerebral palsy

Easter Seals of Greater Houston

July 10-15

X-Treme

Children participating in wheelchair sports

TIRR Foundation

July 10-15

PHEver

Children and teens with phenylketonuria

University of Texas Health Science Center

July 10-15

Social Superheros

Children with social and learning differences

The Parish School

July 17-22

Hope

Children with HIV and AIDS

AIDS Foundation Houston

July 24-29

Champions

Children and adults 10-60 with intellectual challenges The Arc of Greater Houston

July 31-Aug 6 Periwinkle

Children with cancer and blood disorders and their siblings

The Periwinkle Foundation

Aug 7-12

Cell-A-Bration

Children with sickle cell disease

Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation

Aug 7-12

Discovery Texas

Children with skin disorders

National MS Society Lone Star

Aug 7-12

Shining Stars

Children and teens with kidney disease

Kidney Kamp Foundation *Please refer to www.campforall.org for schedule updates.

HOW TO FIND THE CAMP FOR YOU: 1

Visit www.campforall.org

4 | C AM P F OR A LL | FA L L 20 21

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!

DONOR SPOTLIGHT – A FAMILY AFFAIR

Tim and Marie Vogler and Tim and Ally Kelly

Camp For All changed Ally Kelly’s life – and now she and her family are paying it forward. Ally first discovered Camp For All in the spring of 2005 where she came as a counselor for LIFE with the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University. She instantly fell head over heels and applied and became a Camp For All program staff member during the summers of 2005 and 2006. Afterwards, she continued to be a counselor and eventually became the Camp Director for LIFE. During her time at Camp in 2005, Ally met Tim Kelly. Tim has been connected to Camp For All since the very beginning, in 1998 coming with Rainbow Connection, Childhood Cancer Connection for children and teens with cancer. He came as a sibling camper with his little sister who had leukemia. Tim later became a counselor for Rainbow Connection before becoming a program staff member for Camp For All in 2004 and then a Program Supervisor from 2005-2007.

Once Ally and Tim met at Camp, they became fast friends.

They started dating that summer and have been together ever since! They married in 2009, and now have two beautiful, children - Charlie (4) and Zoey (almost 2).

Ally’s parents, Tim (yes also named Tim!) and Marie Vogler, couldn’t help but feel connected to Camp, when Ally’s passion for it began. They have been generous supporters of Camp For All

not only giving personally, but securing matching funds multiple times from Tim’s company, EOG. Tim Vogler says, “Ally's had a calling to work with special needs children since her high school days. When we heard she'd be working at Camp For All we were very excited, happy and proud of her. We loved the many heartwarming stories of the joy it brought to the campers. Not only did she love the work but also formed lifelong friendships with many of whom we've been lucky to meet. And as an extra added bonus she met her husband to be, Tim. So, in addition to all of the other wonderful aspects about Camp For All, indirectly it also gave us a truly great son-in-law. Camp For All has not only been a special cause to support for the wonderful work it does, but it's also given us so much more in return.”

We are incredibly grateful to the Vogler’s and the Kelly’s, who as a family have given huge amounts of time, energy, passion and funds to make sure campers with challenging illnesses or special needs lives are transformed. THANK YOU to this wonderful family, who have made giving and kindness a family affair!

ON ALLY AND TIM’S EXPERIENCES AT CAMP, Ally says, “We really owe so much of what makes us who we are to Camp For All. That’s where we found each other and learned so many lessons that we pass on to our kids, to this day. Camp is just a breeding ground for love, joy, compassion, and generosity!

We were introduced to so many different kinds of abilities and ways of thinking at Camp. It greatly shaped my methods as a special education teacher and as a behavior specialist. It reminded me to try to bring fun and joy into the classroom each day.

Camp For All really has impacted every facet of our lives in one way or another!”

FALL 2021 | CA M P F OR A L L | 5

Growth in Leadership at Camp!

NEW LEADERS: 1. Sean Lougheed – Food Services Manager 2. John Wayne Gasper – Program Supervisor

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RECENT PROMOTIONS: 3. Lindsay Gallmore – Camp For All 2U Manager 4. Justin Sparks –

Program Supervisor 5. Johnny Martin – Facilities Director 6. Nathan Kalkhake – Facilities Manager

CAMP FOR ALL GOES OVER THE EDGE 2021 ROOFTOP SPONSOR: The Howard Hughes Corporation FUNDS RAISED: $75,000

A STARRY NIGHT VIRTUAL GALA CHAIRS: Brooke and Jason Bernhardt; Dawn and Brett Berly UNDERWRITING CHAIR: Tom Behanick HONOREES: Dr. Joshua and Cheryl Samuels FUNDS RAISED: $800,000 6 | C AM P F OR A LL | FA L L 2 0 21

To purchase a table or learn more visit

www.campforall.org/events

Camp For All Homecoming January 2022 it All Spir r o F p m 2022 your Ca Show us ay, January 22, d on Satur

DATE: Saturday, January 22, 2022 TIME: 6:00 PM LOCATION: The Revaire, 7122 Old Katy Rd, Houston, Texas

Grab your letter jacket and pom poms as we celebrate Camp For All Homecoming 2022, A Night to Come Together! After being apart for so long, co-chairs Ginger Bertrand and Susan Walker look forward to spreading the love, laughter, hope and healing campers experience at Camp For All with you! This year we are thrilled to honor Laurie and Jack Maddox for their passionate support of Camp. Join us on January 22, 2022!

When you join us for Camp For All Homecoming 2022, you’ll experience a casual, fun, celebration AND support children and adults with cancer, autism, heart disease, renal challenges, muscular dystrophy, lost limbs, severe burns, cognitive challenges and so much more.

CAMP FOR ALL NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO SERVE OUR CAMPERS. Every gift makes a huge impact on the lives of children and adults with special needs or challenging illnesses and their families. We are honored by the generosity of the compassionate and dedicated family of donors who make Camp For All possible with their kind support.

MAKE A GIFT

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

MONTHLY GIVING

MATCHING GIFTS

LEGACY GIVING

To give a gift by credit card, visit www.campforall.org/ donate. You can also send a check to: Camp For All 3701 Kirby Drive, #570 Houston, Texas 77098

If you would like to make a gift in honor or in memory of a friend or loved one, please let us know who should be notified about this special tribute.

Monthly donors are our “Energizers” each month!

Visit www.campforall. org/donate to set up your monthly or quarterly gift of $10, $25 or $50. You can stop any time you need to.

Many employers will match your contributions to Camp For All. If you need supporting documentation to complete the match, please contact Serjio Brereda at sbrereda@campforall.org.

Leave Your Legacy for Camp For All. Including Camp For All in your will can give the gift of joy, belonging and fun to thousands of campers, long after you are gone.

MORE INFORMATION If you have already planned a gift or designated Camp For All as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy or retirement account such as a 401k, or if you would like to make a gift of stock or talk to someone about a gift, please contact Development Director Mary Beth Mosley at 346-440-3036 or mmosley@campforall.org.

FALL 2021 | C A M P F OR A L L | 7

3701 KIRBY DRIVE, SUITE 570 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098 6301 REHBURG ROAD • BURTON, TEXAS 77835

NON-PROFIT ORG. US. POSTAGE

PAID

HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 10064

2021 CAMP FOR ALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR

Patrick Samuels Marion Anderson Tom Behanick Brett Berly Jason Bernhardt Julie Boushka Beth Clarke Bob Davis Lyndsay Fincher Bob Funk Steve Gilbreath Sarah Hastings Michael Lewis Michael E. Lewter Stephanie Magers Matt Mogas Mike Odegard Stacie Pitts Robin Reed Joshua Samuels, M.D. Lesley Schick Susie Smith Julie Taetz Eric Wade Leslye Weaver Martha White Dena Wren

Camp For All Young Professionals

Support our campers while meeting and networking with other Camp leaders!

The mission of the Camp For All Young Professionals is to increase awareness of Camp For All, while providing charitable, social and leadership opportunities.

Join a group of driven young professionals and dynamic emerging Houston leaders.

Membership donation: $50 gift annually or $5/month recurring gift.

Head to www.campforall.org/young-professionals to join today!

MEMBER BENEFITS • Opportunity to serve on Camp For All Board committees • Attend unique events • Participate in meaningful volunteer projects

EX OFFICIO

Katie Dowdell Kyle Merten Pat Prior Sorrells Peter Wismer EMERITUS

Paul Gerson, M.D. Laurence B. Neuhaus Robert S. Zeller, M.D. PRESIDENT AND CEO

Pat Prior Sorrells

GENERAL COUNSEL

Gary W. Miller

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