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

Are YOU

Ready to RESPITE?

Respite Club

Applications

Open NOW!

Starry Night CAMP Gala

09-12-15

Got Tickets?

2

3

Are YOU

Ready to Respite? 6

6

Thank YOU for

Being a Friend 9

CAMP Tributes

11

Respite Club Respite Club Respite Club CalendarCalendarCalendar

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

CAMP CFC

#25279 #225

Fare-Thee-Well

Storytellers

Letting Go,

Gaining Hope,

& Giving Back

Respite Club

Applications

Respite

Calendar

Health Care

Volunteer

Family

Weekend

Starry Night CAMP Gala

09-12-15

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CAMP’s mission is to strengthen and

inspire individuals with special needs

- and those who care for them-

through Recreation,

Respite, and Education.

Support CAMP when YOU Shop!

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.

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.

Get your tickets today!

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

Kendra Scott ~$275

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

Basketball Signed By The 2013-14 NBA Champion Spurs Team

~ PRICELESS ~

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

Letting Go, Gaining Hope, & Giving 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!’”

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.”

“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.

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!

Letting Go, Gaining Hope, & Giving Back: A CAMPer Dad’s Story

The JT Hill Group Inc.

Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors Bronze Sponsor

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 Storytellers

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) 671-

7911.

Are YOU Ready to Respite?

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 important!

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.”

Would YOU like to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs — and those who care for them — through Recreation, Respite, and Education?

Check the website to Volunteer for Respite Club 2015-16.

Fare-Thee Well to 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!”

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

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.”

Would YOU like to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs — and those who care for them — through Recreation, Respite, and Education?

Check the website to Volunteer for Respite Club 2015-16.

Fare-Thee Well to the Storytellers...

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

!

Rachel Franklin

Pool HI

Years at CAMP: 1

School: Bemidji State

University

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

Ally McConnell

Lifeguard

Years at CAMP: 2

School: Churchill High School

“See y’all next summer!”

Emily Sperry

Lifeguard

Years at CAMP: 3

School: San Antonio

Christian High School

“I have found my home away from home!”

Evan Dieterich

Lifeguard

Years at CAMP: 12

10yrs-Sioux 2- Staff

School: Atherton

High School

“CAMP is AWESOME”

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!”

...Fare-Thee-Well to the Storytellers Stories

Click here if YOU would like to strengthen and inspire individuals with special needs!

Natalie Crabtree

Horseback HI

Years at CAMP: 8

School: Texas A&M

San Antonio

“I love CAMP!”

Colin Campbell

Wrangler

Years at CAMP: 8

School: Sul Ross State

University

“The tans will fade, but

the memories will last

forever!”

Ashley Gardner

Wrangler

Years at CAMP: 5

School: Texas A&M

University, San Antonio

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

...Fare-Thee-Well to the Storytellers Stories

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)

Click here if YOU would like to strengthen and 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

CAMP Honorariums

MR. JOHN S. HART John and Naomi Morris JUSTIN JOYNER Salima Ali

DAN AND EMILY KAHN Stanley and Sandra Kahn MADELEINE REICHERT - ZACHARY, PH.D.

Richard and Toni Goldsmith

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

MR. BILL SPEARMAN

Anonymous

RHETT URBAN

Paul Urban

DR. RALPH YANEY

General [R] J.T. and Dr. Toni Hill

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.

Susan (Joyner) Osborne with her dad, Thomas Joyner

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