Snowy Monday!

Good morning! It's once again Monday - that day of the week when the work week looms long into the weekend....no actually it's a good day. There's lots on my plate of projects to do but it keeps me busy and it keeps improving what we do at Camp. Some highlights from last week!
1. Snow, snow and snow. No we didn't get any big snow storms but for the past few days, its been a inch or two every couple of days. Our plow truck and snow blowers are getting a lot of use!
2. For rental groups, we hosted Pulaski Schools - 120 folks or so running around camp for the day! They had a terrific time - thanks to the hard work of Peter, our Program Coordinator, and the staff that assisted him - Paula, our Health Care Superivsor, Ethan and Ellyse. The students loved the experience and they are planning to come back next year. Congratulations Peter on getting another group excited about Camp!
3. We also hosted St. Mary Magdalene's from Wauapaca for their annual retreat. The good news is the teddy bear left here last year reunited with his owner and is heading home after a year-long vacation with Lions Camp! He hung out with the stuffed lions in my office.
4. The Lions Newspaper came out with the first camper profile article of the year - Mr. Dustin Daggett! If you didn't get a chance to read it - the interivew is below. A great camper and a great family that supports him.

This month, we’ve chosen Dustin Daggett, a 16 year old from River Falls, Wisconsin (District E2). Dustin is in our youth with mild cognitive disabilities and has been with us for the past six summers. I asked Dustin and his mom Suzanne five questions in our mini-interview. Thank you Daggett family for taking the time to share your story with us!

1. Suzanne, why did you and your husband Patrick decide to send Dustin to Lions Camp?
We decided to send Dustin to Lions Camp for several reasons. One of the reasons is the cost. Sending Dustin to a week camp that services children with special needs is so expensive. We are grateful to the Lions for paying for Dustin’s camp. It is truly a blessing! Secondly, sending Dustin to Lions Camp gives him the independence that he craves. As with many kids with special needs, Dustin doesn’t have a lot of friends so he mostly does activities with his Dad or I. Being able to go to Lions camp, he can be with friends AND no parents! Another reason to send Dustin to Lions Camp is that the Lions are a good, trusted organization. We feel they have a quality camp and the people we have met within the organization have been wonderful. Lastly, we send him to Lions Camp so that he has something special of his own. His brothers can’t go to camp, it’s just Dustin’s special thing to do.

2. Dustin, what is your favorite activity (or activities) at Lions Camp?
Dustin’s favorite activities at Lions Camp are basketball, archery, rock climbing, swimming and nature.

3. Dustin, why have you returned now for six summers as a camper?
It is fun to go to camp without my parents!

4. Suzanne, If you could tell the Lions reading this magazine one thing that they should know about Dustin, what is it?
One thing that everyone should know about Dustin is that he has a big heart. If ever we are at the store and I offer to buy him a treat, he usually comes back with, “And one for Conner and Thomas too?” (These are his two younger brothers.) Another example is when he wakes up first for school; he sets out a bowl and spoon for his brother. Not many 16 year olds do this type of thing for their younger brother!

5. Any other comments or stories to share about your Lions Camp experience?
Dustin isn’t very expressive when he is happy. He doesn’t act excited or smile a lot. You have to know what he likes to know that he is enjoying himself. The first time he went to Lions Camp, I went to pick him up. The kids from our area take a bus to Lions Camp. I was standing outside the bus and watched him walk off it. All I could see was teeth. He was smiling from ear to ear! It doesn’t happen often so I knew he had a blast! Also, Dustin wants you to know he enjoys making new friends at Lions Camp!

What an insight into why Camp is so important to our campers. Dustin is a wonderful camper and we really enjoy having him at Camp. It reminds us again, why we do what we do!

This weekend I will be joining the Lions, Lioness and Leos of D2 in Sparta, Wisconsin for their annual convention. We have a camper speaking along with her parents which is very neat.

Finally, the diabetes camp registration goes LIVE tomorrow. If you know a camper with diabetes, have them contact Penny at the American Diabetes Association ASAP at 1-888-342-2383 for more information on how to register. This camp fills fast so do so today!

I hope that you all have a great week wherever you are (and good luck shoveling to those who are about to get clobbered with snow!).