Children’s Association for Maximum Potential Winter 2019 Thank You!! Page 1 Gift of CAMP Page 2-3 Retirement Notice Page 4-5 2020 Applications Pages 5 Ribbon Cutting & CAMPfest Recap! Page 6-7 More Than A CAMP Page 8-9 Staff Thanks & Pics Page 10-11 Upcoming Events Page 12 Tributes Page 13 Happy Holidays Page 14
Thanks to Some Special Friends In 1979, three doctors had a vision to create a place where all individuals, regardless of their disability or medical diagnosis, could enjoy traditional camp activities, and where we could come to discover our Maximum Potential. Throughout 2019, we celebrate a legacy that spans a spectacular four decades! While our clothing may have changed (yeah– okay so did our hairstyles too), CAMP’s mission is still the same after all these amazing years. 2019 was the year we opened three new buildings (pictures on pages 8-9) that will allow us to serve even more campers, families, volunteers, and health care professionals; our partnerships within the community are stronger than ever; and the agency as a whole is ready to tackle new and exciting things in the next decade! CAMP wouldn’t have been this successful without your partnership and support these past 40 years. We look forward to experiencing the next 40 years with all of you!
With Sincere Gratitude,
The Staff and Board of Directors of CAMP
Give the Gift of CONFIDENCE
BELONGING
INSPIRATION
LEADERSHIP
TRUST
ADVENTURE COMPASSION
COURAGE
Page 2
CAMP needs YOUR help to ensure the future! We have a lot to celebrate in 2019 with CAMP’s 40th anniversary marking four decades of Recreation, Respite, and Education!
While there is much to be thankful for, we also have a major financial hurdle to overcome. For 35 years, CAMP has proudly been a United Way supported agency. However, with the recent restructuring of funding by United Way, we lost a significant portion of our budget. CAMP is grateful for the gracious response by three foundations who ensured programs were not interrupted in 2019. CAMP needs your help to ensure programs in 2020 and beyond continue to exist and stay successful. As we move forward with a leaner budget, your gift in 2019 allows us to clearly plan for the future. Our goal is to continue to serve over 1,000 campers through year-round programming. We just can’t do it without your help.
Please consider making an impactful gift to CAMP today! Every gift matters! Gifts of all sizes add up to make a huge impact for CAMP! Your gift will combine with other gifts and have an even greater impact in strengthening and inspiring individuals with special needs.
It’s easy and doable! Want to make an even bigger impact? Consider giving monthly! CAMP’s monthly giving program helps you give back more than you may have thought you could by breaking up donations throughout the year. Your monthly gift ensures strong and steady funding that allows CAMP to deliver lasting impact to individuals with special needs - and those who care for them.
Join Me! Please join me in making a significant donation to CAMP that will help sustain us into the future. When you give the gift of CAMP, you give so much more!
Gratefully,
Gifts may be made by... mailing a check to:
using the secure online portal:
CAMP PO Box 27086 San Antonio, Texas 78227
http://bit.ly/supportCAMP
Page 3
Hugs, Kisses, and lots of Retirement Wishes! After 36 years of dedicated service to CAMP, Pat Bendle is setting her sights on a welldeserved retirement. Pat’s retirement marks the end of an era for CAMP. She knows firsthand the joy CAMP’s mission brings to individuals with special needs, and often quotes Dr. Chris Johnson (CAMP founder) when reminding others that, “CAMP is for the CAMPer!” She remembers CAMP’s beginnings from the early 1980s, and all the hard work the founders, staff, and volunteers put in to keep CAMP afloat and thriving. Serving as Executive Secretary, Pat has been the eyes, ears, and friendly face of the organization. Dr. Fred McCurdy (CAMP founder) expressed, “Pat is very much the corporate memory of CAMP.” When Pat first started, CAMP’s administrative office was housed in an old wooden barracks on Lackland AFB. She recently recalled, “As I look back, I remember informing my family that I probably wouldn’t be working at CAMP very long. That proved to be wrong.” Pat is thankful for the many enduring relationships she developed over the years and fondly shared, “I met so many wonderful people in my years at CAMP; both coworkers and campers. I cannot begin to relate the funny, the sad, and the poignant experiences I’ve had throughout my career.” The entire CAMP community has benefitted from Pat’s dedication and passion for CAMP’s mission. All of us here will miss Pat, and will never forget her invaluable contributions to the staff, the volunteers, and most importantly - the CAMPers. Reflecting on her time at CAMP - Pat says, “It’s been an exciting journey and I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of this great organization.” Please join us in wishing Pat all the best on her retirement.
Page 4
Get excited for our music-festival themed summer 2020: CAMP-a-Palooza! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have an unforgettable summer with some amazing campers. Paid Staff applications will open by December 20th and Volunteer Counselor applications will open by January 1st. Check out our website at www.campcamp.org for more information and to fill out an application. See you around the campfire!
www.campcamp.org
Left:
Right:
Surprise! Staff surprised her with a brick paver in 2008. Her name lives on with us forever outside the administrative offices.
Pictured with Husband, Larry, and four children. What a great family!
Above:
With her “sweetheart,” Larry!
Page 5
Ribbon Cutting & CAMPfest 2019 October 19, 2019, was truly a day packed with celebration for our 40th anniversary! There was no shortage of sunshine, smiling faces, and giggles all around. The day started with the Ribbon Cutting and official opening of three new buildings: Camper Cabin, Health Care Center, and Arts & Crafts pavilion. Campers, families, key funders, and community members gathered around while all five CAMP colors were cut to officially mark the grand opening of the new spaces (read more about each building on pages 8 & 9). CAMPfest 2019 kicked off shortly after and the celebrations continued on through the late afternoon. Record numbers of families came out to tour the facilities, talk with the staff, and experience a day at CAMP. All said, over 500 participants enjoyed a beautiful day discovering what Recreation, Respite, and Education means year-round at CAMP.
Parents and prospective volunteers had the opportunity to tour the property and buildings, attend a question and answer session, and participate in camp activities. Campers came dressed in costumes, filling their bags with treats as they took part in arts and crafts, outdoor cooking, archery, face painting, music recreation, the petting zoo, carnival games, exploring a fire truck, and jumping in the bounce house. Parents and caregivers also had the opportunity to visit the resource fair, where 21 agencies shared information about the services they provide for the special needs community. Thank-you to: Mobility Works, Margie Barker, H-E-B, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, Comfort Chamber of Commerce, and the fabulous volunteers who made this day so special!
Page 6
Capturing the joy! pictures from October 19, 2019...
Mark your calendars now for CAMPfest 2020: Saturday, October 24, 2019 Page 7
New Health Care Center Previous original one-room cabin built in the 1940s seven additions completed in multiple stages inadequate isolation rooms cramped medication storage no accessible restrooms no laundry access
Page 8
Today Intentionally designed with those we serve in mind 4 isolation rooms with porches nurses station medication room (picture on left) - to allow for preparation of over 26,000 medications dispensed every summer 2 exam rooms 8 fully accessible restrooms on-call nurse sleeping quarters with restroom indoor and outdoor training facilities for health care volunteers porch designed for medication administration kitchenette & laundry facilities
New Camper Cabin Features... 4 individual rooms (accommodates a larger number of programming needs) 72 bed capacity (with additional space for medical beds) plenty of space (including storage) for wheelchairs and medical equipment
infrastructure to support the electrical needs of medical equipment 8 fully accessible toilets 6 fully accessible shower stalls and 2 tub / showers housing for year-round staff (two 2Bedroom apartments on second floor)
New Arts & Crafts Pavilion Features... climate controlled space 2 fully accessible bathrooms ample storage for activity supplies large windows for natural light kiln room for ceramics up to 4 additional meeting rooms
versatile space for a variety of uses in addition to arts & crafts (teaching of medical staff, volunteer training, etc.) outdoor cooking / campfire ring outdoor amphitheater
Page 9
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” –Voltaire
CAMP has had a lot to be appreciative of in 2019. We celebrated 40 years of strengthening and inspiring individuals with special needs by serving 1,023 individuals through our year-round programs, trained 868 teens and adults in our volunteer programs, and provided continuing education for 233 healthcare professionals. We also completed phase II of our masterplan – opening three new buildings! None of this could have been accomplished without the hard work of our dedicated and talented year-round staff. Every person on the CAMP team plays an important role in what we do and on behalf of the Board of Directors, Ken and I would like to say THANK YOU to the Family Support team, Development team, Volunteer and Administration team, and the Camping team. Because we are a camp - and well we like to have fun - we are paying homage to “Awkward Family Photos” in our photos below. Thank you to all our incredible staff for making CAMP an amazing place to work – and play! With gratitude,
Ken McConnell
Susan Osborne
Board President
Chief Executive Officer
Camping Team
Mason Howerton, Alex Grimm, Laura Nickel, Jordan Pugh, Dee Evans, Brandon Briery, and Ken Kaiser Photobomber: Susan Osborne
Page 10
Family Support Team Volunteer & Administrative Team
Amanda Meigs, Perla Diaz-Robles, Christina Gill, and Michelle Elble Photobomber: Susan Osborne
Development Team Tom Burney, Bobby Cardenas, Stephanie Hernandez, Paula Macias, Sarah Coulombe, and Pat Bendle. Photobombers: Susan Osborne & Santa
Nancy Gerson, Lauren Weiss, Regina Anderson, and Dianna Hopkins Photobombers: Susan Osborne & friends
Page 11
2020
Volunteer Events
Volunteers are needed for programs throughout the school-year. Sign up early, and remember‌ the more volunteer support we have, the more campers we can serve!
Parents Night Out (PNO) January 24 February 21 March 20 April 17 May 1
Respite Weekends January 4 - 5 February 1 - 2 April 4 - 5 May 2 - 3
Teen & Adult Day Adventure (TADA) January 25 February 22 March 21 April 18 May 16
Spring Break CAMP March 11 - 14
Family Weekend Retreat March 27 - 29
Sign up at: http://bit.ly/CAMPVolunteers
Page 12
Tributes are from September 1 through November 30
Collins Allen by Mr. Robert Rick Shaw
Brandon Briery by Danny and Judy Foster
Bob Brock
by Dan Miller
Jabe Cochren by Homer and Beverly Rhodes
Bryan Ebs and Blanka Bordas by Rhonda McMahon
Vincent Esqueda by George and Mary Esqueda
Trent Evans by Matt and Dee Evans
Issabella Francis
by Robin Francis
Beth and Kathy Howe
Ryleigh Johnski and the whole Howerton Family by Dr. Brandon Briery
Dan and Emily Kahn by Mr. Stanley Kahn
Sydney Malcolm by Daniel Rubio
Andrew, Kate, and Emily Richardson by Mrs. Linda Howe
Emily Sperry by Mr. Kent Sperry
Shelley Watanabe by Ms. Susan Osborne
Candelaria Willoughby by Gary and Rita Willoughby
Noah Willoughby and Melissa DeMock by Victor and Lisa Quiroga
by Mrs. Linda Howe
Tributes are from September 1 through November 30
Christy Brown by Ron and Phebe Brown
Meghan Hill by Mr. Todd Foreman
Noreen K. Hynes by Mr. Thomas Hynes
Anna Reinshagen by Mr. Chuck A. Smith
Rhett Urban by Mr. Paul Urban
Joshua Winter by Mr. James Bowman, III
Page 13
Children’s Association for Maximum Potential PO Box 27086 | San Antonio, TX 78227 (210) 671-5411 | www.campcamp.org