Camp matters 3rd quarter

Children’s Association for Maximum Potential 3rd Quarter, 2015

Respite Club Applications Open NOW!

Are YOU Ready to RESPITE?

Respite Club Calendar Respite Club Applications

Respite Calendar

Starry Night CAMP Gala 09-12-15

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Got Tickets?

Family Weekend

Health Care Volunteer

CAMP Board of Directors President Mike Zerda Vice President Kyle Garetson Secretary Dr. Toni Hill Treasurer Jean Magargee Julie Allen Dana Fox Jamie Fox Josh Gerstner Keith Holloway Kenneth McConnell Dr. Azreena Thomas Executive Director Susan Osborne CAMP Advisory Committee Julianne Bass Elena Guajardo Dr. Janessa Manning Dr. Fred McCurdy Jim Pennekamp Richard A. Ramirez Dr. Madeleine Reichert Chuck Smith Fred Swaney Dr. Phyllis Thompson Vanessa Vance Staff Directory

Letting Go, Gaining Hope, & Giving Back

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Are YOU Ready to Respite?

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Fare-Thee-Well Storytellers

Thank YOU for Being a Friend

CAMP Tributes

CAMP CFC #25279

#225

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Starry Night CAMP Gala 09-12-15

Got Tickets?

Mark Your Calendar

Do YOU have YOUR tickets to The 7th Annual Starry Night CAMP Gala? If you do, then you're in for a treat! You’ll have dinner at the elegant San Antonio Country Club and get to know the amazing Carroll and Patty Schubert. Plus chances to snag some goodies during Silent Auction! With over 90 Silent and Live Auction items, there’s something for everyone! From baubles to boots to basket balls, we’ve got it all.

Kendra Scott ~$275 Little’s Boot Company Gift Certificate ~$1,450

Our Live Auction Can Make Wishes Come True!  Want to get away? We’ve got you covered.  Sweetie put you in the Dog House? We’ll get you out.  Want to be the boss for a day? We’ll make it happen.

But, YOU have to be there to bid.

Support CAMP when YOU Shop!

Get your tickets today!

Call Nancy Gerson at (210)671-7955 or email.

Basketball Signed By The 2013-14 NBA Champion Spurs Team

~ PRICELESS ~

CAMP’s mission is to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs - and those who care for themthrough Recreation, Respite, and Education.

Connect With CAMP @

Letting Go, Gaining Hope, & Giv Ken McConnell wears lots of hats. He’s a CAMPer Dad, a business man, and a Member of the CAMP Board of Directors.

He has much to say about CAMP, camping, and the importance of giving back.

But there’s more, “For me CAMP is the place where I discovered that my son could be away from me. Children have milestones [in their lives]. Well, I think that parents have milestones, too.”

Brandon’s first week at CAMP was an important milestone for Ken. “It was a revelation that my son is his own person and at some point in time, he is going to have a life without me...and that made me very happy for him.”

Spending a week away from home is a step toward independence. It offers families of individuals with special need a ray of hope. “It’s hope, and it’s an accomplishment between Brandon and me” said Ken.

Ken is the owner of Seguin RV; you might say, he’s made camping his business.

But, he doesn’t mind mixing business with pleasure when it comes to enjoying time outdoors with his family.

“Camping is a big part of our personality as a family,” said Ken. It’s no wonder his son, Brandon, loves coming to CAMP. “CAMP is a special to our family because it’s the place where Brandon spent his first week away from home,” said Ken. This summer was Brandon's fourth year at CAMP. “He has the concept,” said Ken, “he knows it is something he does every year and he looks forward to it.”

The accomplishment for Ken, it is letting go, for Brandon, it is accepting the challenge of independence. “It is a small step, but when you have a child with special needs small steps are monumental events.”

“I’m proud that Brandon is going to have a life of his own. What more can anyone hope for as a parent?”

Ken speaks in poetic terms of the contrast between the real world and CAMP. “We spend so much time amongst concrete, brick, and mortar, to come out to CAMP and spend a little bit of time listening to the birds in the trees, to feel a little bit of wind in your hair, and earth beneath your feet; it’s really soothing.”

ving Back: A CAMPer Dad’s Story That’s not to say Ken didn’t experience a significant case of first-year-parent jitters. “That first time I dropped Brandon off at CAMP, I worried…a lot!”

It was a long week. When Ken went to pick Brandon up, “I fully expected him to come running to me, give me a hug, and say, ‘Let’s go home!’”

“It makes me feel good to be a part of an organization that does some of the good things in life.”

“As a member of the board, I get to go out and share CAMP’s story. Because camping is a basic part of childhood, making camping accessible to everyone resonates with those of us in the RV Industry. So, I encourage the organizations I do business with to invest in CAMP.” In June, Seguin RV partnered with various vendors to raise $26,000 for CAMPer Scholarships through CAMPers for a Cause.

But that’s not what happened.

“The first thing Brandon said to me was, ‘Go away,’ and that’s when I knew,” said Ken. “Brandon had completely engaged with his counselor, he enjoyed the one on one time, and he didn’t want to give it up.

It was huge!”

This year Ken accepted an invitation to join the CAMP Board of Directors. “CAMP has been so beneficial to Brandon and to my family, I wanted to give back.”

“Ken is an ambassador for CAMP, he truly goes the extra mile,” said Executive Director Susan Osborne. “In the short time he has been with the board he has shown commitment to CAMPers and their families.”

When it comes to giving, Ken lives by this credo,

I’ll never miss the little bit of grain from my hand, but the CAMPers will remember what happens at CAMP for the rest of their lives!

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor

The JT Hill Group Inc.

Are YOU Ready to Respite?

The school-year’s begun! You’ve got the books and supplies, but what about the 2015-16 Respite Club Application?

Members of CAMP’s Respite Club, can register for monthly age appropriate Respite events. CAMPers enjoy meeting up with their friends and fun activities while parents and caregivers take a short break.

If you’re ready to Respite, don’t wait, apply today! Go to campcamp.org for more information or call the office at (210) 6717911.

Fare-Thee-Well Storytellers The stories of Once Upon a CAMP 2015 have been written in the hearts of the CAMPers. The Storytellers have returned home. All that remains are the memories.

Please, turn this page to bid a fond farewell to the Storytellers as we celebrate those who led CAMPers on quests to Strengthen and Inspire.

Fare-thee-well to you, good Storytellers, till we meet again next summer.

Fare-Thee Well to

Jenna P. Walsh Program Coordinator Years at CAMP: 7 Real Job: Up Academy in Boston, MA “Proud of you today and always.”

Michael Maffei Program Coordinator Years at CAMP: 12 School: Texas A&M “The CAMP Staff is really awesome and the work that we are doing is

Ben Ault Canoeing HI Years at CAMP: 5 Real Job: Special Educator in Baltimore City, MD Holds a Masters of Special Education; John’s Hopkins University “Do I have to leave [CAMP when summer comes to an end]?”

Rachel Rios Nature HI Years at CAMP: 2 School: New York University “Camp CAMP is the happiest place on earth!”

Evan Young Outdoor Cooking HI Years at CAMP: 2 School: Texas A&M Corpus Christi “CAMP is cool– yo!”

Dawn Stewart Music HI Years at CAMP: 2 School: West Texas A&M Canyon, TX “If the rest of the world was as accepting & loving as CAMP is, the world would be full of happily ever after’s.”

important!

Would YOU like to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs — a Check the website to Volunte

o the Storytellers...

Braydon Evans Drama HI Years at CAMP: 1 School: University of Central Florida “CAMP teaches you what raw happiness is. CAMP really is the best place ever!”

Katie Gerhard Target Sports HI Years at CAMP: 4 School: Schrieners University “This story book summer has given us a chance to share the magic of each CAMPer’s unique story and the magic that is CAMP.”

Hannah Meyer Sports & Recreation HI Years at CAMP: 2 School: DePauw University “Disability is a matter of perception. If you can do just one thing well, you’re needed by someone.”

Clare Maas Arts & Crafts HI Years at CAMP: 3 School: Missouri Western State University “Life is not the mountain tops. It’s the walking in between.” ~ Ben Rector

All Hail the Ever Faithful Volunteer Lead Staff & Most Versatile Paid Lead Staff!

Back Row: Christina Sommers, Rachel Saunders, Clara Rodriguez, Eric Dieterich, and Joan Trejo.

Second Row: Gabby Rodriguez, Arianna Segal, Judy Chu, Esme Rios, Valeria Laddaga, and Sarah Cranek.

Front Row: Milan Martinez, Shelby Engel

and those who care for them — through Recreation, Respite, and Education? eer for Respite Club 2015-16.

...Fare-Thee-Well to th !

Rachel Franklin Pool HI Years at CAMP: 1 School: Bemidji State University

Ally McConnell Lifeguard Years at CAMP: 2 School: Churchill High School

Emily Sperry Lifeguard Years at CAMP: 3 School: San Antonio Christian High School

“This has been the best summer of my life. I will never forget the friends and memories I’ve made here.”

“See y’all next summer!”

“I have found my home away from home!”

Evan Dieterich Lifeguard Years at CAMP: 12 10yrs-Sioux 2- Staff School: Atherton High School

Maggie McClanahan Lifeguard Years at CAMP: 3 School: Saint Mary’s Hall High School, San Antonio “CAMP has taught me my most valued traits in a human: Patience, Joy, and Dignity”

Christy Perry Lifeguard Years at CAMP: 3 School: Health Careers High School “I wouldn’t want to spend my summer anywhere except, CAMP!”

“CAMP is AWESOME”

Click here if YOU would like to strengthen and

he Storytellers Stories

Natalie Crabtree Horseback HI Years at CAMP: 8 School: Texas A&M San Antonio

Colin Campbell Wrangler Years at CAMP: 8 School: Sul Ross State University

Ashley Gardner Wrangler Years at CAMP: 5 School: Texas A&M University, San Antonio

“I love CAMP!”

“The tans will fade, but the memories will last forever!”

“CAMP is the best place in the world. :)”

All for One and One for All!” The Three Musketeers Said It, Tribe Assistants Live It! Back Row: Aurora Brinkman, Nick Pugh, Lorena Terroba, Cristina Martinez, Abbey Garcia, Reagan Naylor, Magaly Maldonado, Gabby Segal, and Sierra Cantu Second Row: Jade Bishoppetty, Shelby Vigil, Ivalis Guajardo, and Claudia Pharr First Row: Sara Hackert, Tyler Przybyla, and Tali Harif

Not pictured: Shane Williams (Mohawk Boys), Dan Divin (Pawnee Boys)

d inspire individuals with special needs!

Thank-YOU for Being A Friend Valero’s Team Orange Runs an

Amazing Race

Many thanks to Valero’s Team Orange. They Started STRONG in the 2015 United Way Pledge Drive & finished STRONGER TOGETHER! Because of the team work and generosity of Team Orange and Valero, CAMP was awarded a BIG CHECK! Thank YOU for giving to Strengthen and Inspire individuals with special needs!

CAMP Memorials

MR. BILL SPEARMAN Anonymous

JIM ADAMEK John and Jodell Wright MR. PAUL ANTHONY DE HOYOS Mr. and Mrs. Charles De Hoyos KATHY FURUKAWA National Association of Social Workers THOMAS JOYNER Larry and Pat Bendle Preston and Sharon Eichman Jerry and Nancy Gerson Elena K. Guajardo General [R] J.T. and Dr. Toni Hill Mr. and Mrs. David Leach Dr. Fred A. McCurdy Ed and Mary Nichols Susan (Joyner) Osborne JACQUELINE KIM PHAM Larry and Kathy McClaugherty

RHETT URBAN Paul Urban DR. RALPH YANEY General [R] J.T. and Dr. Toni Hill

Susan (Joyner) Osborne with her dad, Thomas Joyner

YOU matter to us and we want to properly acknowledge your generosity. If we have omitted your gift or spelled your name incorrectly, please let us know so we can correct our records.

Contact Nancy Gerson (210) 671-7955 or email nancy.gerson@campcamp.org.

CAMP Honorariums

MR. JOHN S. HART John and Naomi Morris

DAN AND EMILY KAHN Stanley and Sandra Kahn

JUSTIN JOYNER Salima Ali

MADELEINE REICHERT - ZACHARY, PH.D.

Richard and Toni Goldsmith

Lackland AFB CAMP Executive Offices

Center Point Camp CAMP Facility

Please send all CAMPer & volunteer paperwork or donations here.

Please send mail & faxes here only when your CAMPer, Volunteer, or Staff Member is at CAMP.

Mailing Address:

Mailing Address:

PO Box 27086 San Antonio, TX 78227

PO Box 999 Center Point, TX 78010

Physical Address:

Physical Address:

2525 Ladd Street Lackland AFB, TX 78236

515 Skyline Drive Center Point, TX 78010

Tel: (210) 671-5411 Fax: (210) 671-5225

Tel: (830) 634-2267 Fax: (210) 858-8035

campmail@campcamp.org