FALL 2017 VOLUME 15 NUMBER 12
See the barrier-free Adaptive Advanced Archery Stand in Action by Scanning the QR Code
LETTER FROM
THE
CHAIR
ROGERS CRAIN
“How did you get involved with Camp For All?” That is a common question you hear when supporters and volunteers are together. The answers are always interesting and often very moving. Many answer that they were first told about Camp For All by a friend or were invited to a Camp For All event. From that casual contact, they become intrigued by the Camp For All mission of helping campers who are facing challenging circumstances. They then want to learn more about how Camp makes such a positive impact on the lives of those campers. Other times, the initial connection with Camp For All is much more personal. A person’s child or family friend attended Camp For All or Camp For All 2U, where we bring Camp activities into hospitals. That child’s life-changing experience is enough to motivate the person to get more involved. Each story is unique, but oftentimes, there seems to be one common experience that convinces people to become involved – the feeling they have when they drive through the gates of Camp For All or volunteer at Camp For All 2U. When people see the magic of Camp in person, they just seem to really “get it”! I know this, because that is what happened to me. As hard as we try, no newsletter, video or conversation can quite equal experiencing and seeing, firsthand, the laughter, love, acceptance and hope that Camp For All provides. So, join the fun and come on out to Camp For All! Whether it’s your first, or your umpteenth, Camp experience, you will discover– or rediscover – for yourself what an amazing organization Camp For All is.
OUR MISSION
Thank you for all you do for Camp For All.
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. Camp For All is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization. Camp For All Newsletter is produced by the Camp For All Foundation. Copyright 2017 by the Camp For All Foundation. All rights reserved. No part of this Newsletter can be reproduced or reprinted without written permission.
Why Camp For All? PAT PRIOR SORRELLS President and CEO
Camp is important for children. It is much more than blobs and s’mores. The American Camp Association says it well:
“
Camp encourages achievement and builds the self-esteem, confidence and courage needed to become leaders. It also provides healthy lifestyles, fitness and activity.
”
That’s important, but what about the thousands of kids with MS, cancer, autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, severe burns, missing limbs and more? Don’t they need the same opportunity? The answer is yes! So, when you ask the question, “Why Camp For All?” the answer is that Camp For All provides children and adults with special needs that opportunity and much more. Camp For All encourages achievement and builds self-confidence like a typical camp, but for kids and adults with challenges, the outcomes are far greater. Former campers tell us that Camp For All helped them realize that they weren’t defined by their challenges. Because of Camp, campers have discovered independence, found hope, learned
how to make friends, learned diet control, realized they were not alone, felt loved, important, normal, and healed emotionally. In addition, “more” speaks to how Camp For All provides these life changing opportunities. Dedicated to a barrier-free, not just accessible culture, Camp For All strives to always exceed expectations for every camper. Most campers come free of charge. All activities can be accomplished by all abilities. It is a safe environment with staff that has extensive experience and training. Food services provides good food for multiple dietary challenges. And Camp For All is the beautiful campsite that welcomes 64 different not-for-profit organizations, all year long! Why Camp For All? As of this fall, 150,000 campers have experienced Camp For All. They would wonder why in the I’m the world are you 150,000 th asking “why?” camper at
Camp For All Discover Life
CAMP Be An Angel Retreat of Renewal BSSLC Shining Stars Family Camp Love Without Limits MOST LIFE Camp For Joy du Ballon Rouge Down Syndrome Family Camp BSSLC Xtreme Champ Camp Cell-A-Bration Next Level Camp For All 2 U Camp Healing Hearts Retiro Sanando Corazones Linking Lives Retreat Amigo Keep Smiling The Parish School Monarch Butterfly Pump It Up Smiles Camp SIA Rocks LIFE Day Camp Monarch Chrysalis Periwinkle Family Camp YOLO Discovery Family Camp Kolter “Texas Trek” Be An Angel Family Day BSSLC Higher Ground Retreat BSSLC Monarch Butterfly T.H. Rogers 5th Grade
May 10-13 May 11-13 DATE May 24-26 May 29-June 1 May 28-June 1 May 30-June 1 May 29-June 1 June 4-8 June 3-9 June 10-16 June 11-15 June 17-22 June 18-22 June 24-29 June 24-29 June 25 -29 July 1-6 July 1-6 July 8-13 July 8-13 July 8-13 July 9-13 July 15-20 July 16 -20 July 22-27 July 23 -27 July 29-Aug 3 Aug 5-10 Aug 5-10 Aug 5-10 Aug 14-17
The No Barriers Society is a group of generous hearts who have demonstrated their commitment to the mission of Camp For All by including us in their wills and other estate plans. If Camp For All is already included in your giving plans, please let us hear from you. If you are not a member of the No Barriers Society and wish to help Camp For All continue to help children and adults with special needs, please consider a gift in your estate planning.
Contact Belinda Munsell at 713.686.5666 or bmunsell@campforall.org. We are grateful for these gifts of foresight.
SUMMER 2018 schedule
No Barriers Society
CAMPS THAT CAMP AT CAMP FOR ALL
SPRING 2018 schedule
DATE Feb 2-4 Feb 9-11 Feb 14 Feb 16-18 Feb 16-18 Feb 23-25 Feb 23-25 March 1-2 March 2-4 March 2-4 March 7 March 8-11 March 9-11 March 9-11 March 12-16 March 16-18 March 16-18 March 23-25 March 23-25 March 23-25 March 28-29 April 5-6 April 6-8 April 11-13 April 13-15 April 13-15 April 15 April 19-20 April 20-22 April 20-22 April 22 April 27 April 27-29 April 29 May 2 May 4-6 May 9 May 10-11 May 11
PARTNERS Be An Angel Fund Inc. Texas Children’s Hospital Brenham State Supported Living Center Kidney Kamp Foundation Shriner’s Hospital for Children Easter Seals of Greater Houston Family Support Network The Joy School Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas Down Syndrome Association of Houston Brenham State Supported Living Center TIRR Foundation National MS Society Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation Camp For All Bo’s Place Bo’s Place Texas Children’s Hospital Austin Smiles, The Austin Plastic Surgery Foundation Texas Children’s Hospital The Parish School The Monarch School Texas Children’s Hospital Easter Seals of Greater Houston Texas Children’s Hospital Camp Journey Family Support Network The Monarch School The Periwinkle Foundation The Periwinkle Foundation American Academy of Dermatology Kolter School Be An Angel Fund Inc. Camp For All Brenham State Supported Living Center Texas District Pilot Clubs Brenham State Supported Living Center The Monarch School T.H. Rogers School
No Limits
NEED Families who have a child with special needs Families who have lost a loved one to cancer Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Families who have a child with kidney disease Children with orthopedic and neurological diagnosis Teens with disabilities Children with physical and intellectual disabilities Children with language and learning differences Children and teens with Tourette syndrome Families who have a child with Down syndrome Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Children participating in wheelchair sports Families who have an adult with MS Children with sickle cell disease Camp For All Program at MD Anderson Hospital Families who have lost a loved one Hispanic families who have lost a loved one Teens with challenging illnesses Children with cranio-facial challenges Children with cleft palate Children with social and learning differences Children with neurological differences Children with cardiac challenges Children with cerebral palsy Children and teens with gastrointestinal diseases Youth with autism Children with physical and intellectual disabilities Children with neurological differences Families affected by cancer or other life-threatening illnesses Teens and siblings with life-threatening illnesses Families who have children with skin disorders Children with and without learning differences Families who have a child with special needs Camp For All Open House Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Adults with brain injuries Teens and adults with intellectual disabilities Children with neurological differences Children in the Vanguard program with hearing impairments and multiple disabilities Children with amputations and limb deformities
CPals
Families with a child with cerebral palsy
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Transition Hope
CAMP Janus TEAMS Sunrise Shooting Stars Monarch Butterfly Camp For All 2U MDA Summer Camp Spike ‘n’ Wave Camp For All 2U TBD Star Trails Camp For All 2U TBD Rainbow Connection Dreamcatcher Camp For All 2U Camp That Love Built Smiles Xtreme PHEver Social Superheros Camp For All 2U Hope Camp For All 2U Champions Camp For All 2U TBD Periwinkle Cell-A-Bration Discovery Texas Shining Stars TR Summit
NEED Children with burns Teens who are vision impaired Teens with developmental challenges Adults with intellectual disabilities Children with neurological differences Camp For All Program at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas Children and teens with neuromuscular disease Children with epilepsy Camp For All Program Children with cancer and blood disorders Camp For All Program Children and teens with cancer Children with cancer Camp For All Program at Texas Children’s Hospital-West Campus Children and adults with spina bifida Children with cerebral palsy Children participating in wheelchair sports Children and teens with phenylketonuria (PKU) Children with social and learning differences Camp For All Program at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital Children with HIV and AIDS Camp For All Program at Texas Children’s Hospital Campers with intellectual challenges Camp For All Program Children and their siblings with cancer Children with sickle cell disease Children with skin disorders Children and teens with kidney disease Therapeutic Recreation Conference
PARTNERS Memorial Hermann Hospital / Shriner’s Hospital DARS Division for Blind Services Briarwood Tuttle School Hill Country MHDD The Monarch School Camp For All Muscular Dystrophy Association Epilepsy Foundation of Texas Houston/Dallas/Fort Worth Camp For All MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center Camp For All Rainbow Connection Scott and White Memorial Hospital Temple Camp For All Spina Bifida Association of Houston Easter Seals of Greater Houston TIRR Foundation Texas Children’s Hospital The Parish School Camp For All AIDS Foundation Houston Camp For All The Arc of Greater Houston Camp For All The Periwinkle Foundation Sickle Cell Association of Austin Marc Thomas Foundation American Academy of Dermatology Kidney Kamp Foundation Texas Recreation and Park Society
SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER FOLLOW CAMP FOR ALL CampForAll.org
facebook.com/CampForAll
@CampForAll
@CampForAll
@CampForAll
No Limits Limb Loss Foundation
For a List of Fall Camps, visit: CampForAll.org/Find-A-Camp
Jim
Avioli
Volunteers MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Leslie and Jim Avioli were introduced to Camp For All 12 years ago by their son, Justin, who built tables and chairs with his fellow Eagle Scouts that are still used at Camp today! Jim serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Leslie is one of our amazing Camp For All and Camp For All 2U volunteers. Also, she is a past member of the Friends Board. This family of volunteers truly knows the impact Camp can have on a camper and their family. Jim acknowledges the importance of experiencing Camp in-person and how camper families get a much-needed break from challenges they face every day. Leslie’s favorite aspect of Camp For All and Camp For All 2U is that kids get the chance to be around other kids dealing with the same issues and, for a week, they can just be kids! It’s difficult for many to pinpoint a favorite story about Camp, and the Aviolis are no exception. When asked, Jim replied that each volunteer opportunity offers memories that change his life. One story that Leslie holds close is watching a camper at Texas Children’s Hospital getting into a canoe with a huge smile on his face and seeing his parents’ expressions as he raced down the corridor! When asked “Why Camp For All?”, Jim explained that being involved allows him the opportunity to make a difference in the campers’ lives, which is on track with the mission of Camp For All! Leslie notes the impact it has on the campers, their families and all volunteers and how heartwarming experiences happen over and over at Camp For All! Thank you for all you
do for Camp For All and our campers, Leslie and Jim!
CAMP HOPE DOCTOR AND CA
A Q&A WITH
slie and e L
Camp For All collaborates with 64 different not-for-profits. One is AIDS Foundation Houston who brings children with HIV and AIDS to Camp For All. They call it Hope. Recently, we sat down with Ana M. Puga, MD, FAAP, one of the doctors that brings campers from Florida to Camp For All, and a camper-turned-counselor named Wesley, to get their input on the impact of Camp. Camp: How did you get connected with the HIV/AIDS campers? Dr. Puga: When I was studying Pediatrics at the University of Miami, I fell in love with microbiology and with the kids that were diagnosed with HIV – they had so much courage. C: How did you find Camp For All? P: I’ve brought campers and counselors to Camp For All for 19 years. The first year we brought 12 campers. The kids were ready to go to camp in Florida, but the camp was full. We found Camp For All and we loved it so much, we kept coming! This year, we brought 14 campers and 7 counselors who were former campers. C: Why does coming to Camp For All make a difference? P: The focus is on the patients, showing them their worth. They feel loved and cared for. There might be love at home, but their home lives with friends and family is “living with a secret.” You can’t tell your friends. At Camp, they feel special, they feel normal and nobody cares if you have HIV. The campers feel free. C: What impact does Camp For All have on your patients versus the ones that don’t come to Camp? P: Patients who started coming to Camp between the ages of 7 and 15 are more engaged with their medical care. We have seen 90% of our campers go to college and find career-level jobs, such as mechanical engineering, teaching and social work. They have adjusted to life so much better. C: We love that you have former campers come back as counselors! P: We do too! The kids come mostly from extreme poverty and don’t grow up in families that volunteer or give, because they don’t really have enough to share. Kids fight to come back as counselors. One time I asked why and I was surprised when one camper said, “To give back what Camp gave to us!” C: Why do you think Camp For All helps your patients? P: Campers remember staff from Camp For All and from Hope. Consistency of staff is a huge factor. Seeing the staff being involved in activities is always a highlight. The clean and beautiful environment of Camp For All honors the campers and tells them this is a special place. We consistently hear our campers ask, “When are we going to go back?”
AMPER-TURNED-COUNSELOR Camp For All: When did you get involved with Hope and how did you get involved? Wesley: I’m from Florida. I started Hope at Camp For All in 1999 when I was seven, that was my first year. I started coming here to be with other kids that are like myself, HIV positive.
BOBBY Celebrating 20 Years KLOECKER at Camp For All
C: You were aware when you were that young that you were HIV positive? W: Yes. I don’t recall a time not being aware. I just know I always took medicine. I may not have understood what HIV was but I knew I was positive. C: How did coming to Camp For All affect you or change your life?
C: How is being a counselor different from being a camper? W: Totally different perspective! You have just as much fun as the kids, but it’s caring for the kids and seeing how much is put into that care. You realize how much Camp For All impacts their lives as a camper. For the counselor it is totally different. I feel like I’m more impacted as a counselor than I was as a camper. C: Do you ever see changes in the kids while they’re at Camp For All? W: Yes, they go from not speaking at all or just simple head gestures, keeping quiet and keeping to themselves to turning out to be this amazing kid. At the beginning of the week they start off in this shy cocoon. They don’t want to talk to nobody and they don’t want to do nothing and because of Camp they are running off the walls, bouncing balls and playing with everybody else. It’s like, wow, you’d never think this specific kid would turn out to be that way. It helps them develop who they really, truly want to be.
Why Camp For All
W: It changed my life dramatically. Before Camp, in the nineties HIV was a big epidemic and as a kid I was always told to be cautious: Be careful when you bleed, be careful when you drink after people and stuff like that. Don’t tell anyone. Knowing that everybody’s not looking out for me was kind of rough. When you tell somebody, it backfires. The response would be, “Oh yeah, you have to go home” or “You can’t hang out with my kids” To be able to come to an actual camp where I could be myself, where I can be a kid and not have to worry about “Oh, do I have to tell this adult” or “Don’t drink at their house.” It makes me comfortable to know that everybody else around me are in the same situation.
Congratulations Bobby Kloecker for Celebrating 20 years at Camp! Bobby joined the Camp For All team in 1998 and helped evolve the Facilities/Grounds Department we have in place today. Bobby became the Grounds Supervisor when his predecessor retired, maintaining all grounds, trees, flower beds and handling recycling and waste management. Johnny Martin, Facilities Manager, describes Bobby as “the kind of person you want as a member of your team, hardworking, dedicated and as honest as the day is long.” When asked how he likes working at Camp For All, Bobby said, “Best job I have ever had and I have had many I didn’t like. I actually love getting up and coming to work, which is why I haven’t retired yet!” We’re glad you haven’t retired either, Bobby!
SUPERHEROES FOR ALL
CAMP FOR ALL USHERED IN THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY of helping bring campers to Camp to discover life with SUPERHEROES FOR ALL. The gala, held at the Bayou City Event Center, raised an incredible $1 million! Co-chairs Laurie and Jack Maddox and Matt and Melinda Mogas were more than marvelous in honoring the Tom Behanick Family and Pat Schaefer. THE 2016 BRENHAM GALA WAS GLITZY AND GLAMOUROUS! “Flappers and Dappers,” held at The Fireman’s Training Center, honored David Folschinsky for his long-time support and dedication to the organization. The event, co-chaired by Linda Blocker and Pam Green, met the goal and raised over $200,000 to support Camp For All. The event special guests, camper Jordan Lackey and her mother Melissa Lackey, shared that at Camp For All, Jordan is allowed to experience activities in a fun and safe way and is not defined by her challenges.
Cam pC
CONVENTION
C
ry ina Chal l u
e ng le
BARBIE
P FOR ALL AM
EVENTS
ATasteofTexas
Blast Off with Barbie! Camp For All was the beneficiary of the silent auction proceeds at the 2017 National Barbie Convention. Dr. Tess Barton, Silent Auction Chair, has been bringing her fun costumes and spirit to Camp year after year with HOPE, from AIDS Foundation Houston. The auction brought in over $33,000 to bring campers to Camp For All!
BRAZILIAN
THE CAMP FOR ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS celebrated the Lone Star State at the
Camp Culinary Challenge: A Taste of Texas. The event co-chairs, Taylor McDaniel and Allison Schaffer, along with their committee, helped bring in more than $34,000. Half of the night’s proceeds were shared with Hurricane Harvey flood relief efforts. It was a great night of great fun, amazing food and even some two-steppin’!
THE 2017 BRENHAM GALA WAS FULL OF COLOR AND EXCITEMENT! “BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL” honored longtime advocate and supporter, Sissy Miller. Lete Phillips was the fabulous gala Chair and the event raised over $210,000 to support Camp For All and the amazing campers who come each year to discover life. The Fireman’s Training Center was truly transformed into Brazil, right down to the amazing Brazilian dancers!
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SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER
FOLLOW CAMP FOR ALL @
facebook.com/CampForAll @CampForAll @CampForAll
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[CampForAll.org or call 713.686.5666] BECAUSE AT CAMP, “I CAN’T” BECOMES
“I CAN! ”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN: Rogers Crain ❚ Gary Appelt, M.D., Jim Avioli, Brett Berly, Jason R. Bernhardt, Ginger Bertrand, Julie Boushka, Pam Brasseux, Lyndsay Fincher, Andy Fossler, Michael Griffin, Mark Harmon, Lavonne Burke Hopkins, Joel A. Johnson, John Kelley, Stephen Lamb, Mike Lewter, Dorothy Marchand, Susan Martin, Matt Mogas, Pepette Mongrain, Michael Odegard, Robin Reed, Liz Rigney, Patrick Samuels, Eric Wade, Susan Walker-Spalding, Leslye Weaver, Julius Young, Jr. ❚ EX OFFICIO: Cathy Boeker, Lesley Schick, Pat Prior Sorrells, Misty Taylor ❚ EMERITUS: Paul Gerson, M.D., Laurence B. Neuhaus, Robert S. Zeller, M.D. ❚ PRESIDENT AND CEO: Pat Prior Sorrells ❚ GENERAL COUNSEL: Gary W. Miller