Category Archives: Lions Camp

Déjà vu Redo the 13th Annual Lions Pride Sporting Clay Shoot

08 Thursday Apr 2021

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Mark your calendars because we are 65 days away from the biggest Lions Pride fundraising event of the year. On Saturday, June 12, we are excited to host the 13th Annual Lions Pride Shoot. For those of you paying attention at home, you may have a recollection of the number thirteen, and you’d be right! In 2020, we canceled the 13th Annual Event due to the pandemic, so 2021 marks our Déjà vu Redo!

If you’re new to the idea of sporting clays, you’ll be interested to learn that this sport simulates actual hunting situations in the field. Regardless of skill level, people of all ages enjoy shooting sporting clays. It’s been estimated that more than three million people shoot sporting clays each year, either competitively or recreationally.

Our sporting clays fundraiser has become our most popular event that takes place at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek. Both Lions and non-Lions who enjoy the comradery, connecting with the outdoors and a day of fun while helping us make a difference in the lives of so many.

Each year the Lions Pride Shoot continues to be an exciting adventure amidst the rolling hills and deep ravines of Southeastern Wisconsin. We hope you’ll register yourself, a few friends or a full team of 5, which includes lunch, raffles, dinner and live auction.

If you’re not a seasoned shooter, don’t let that stop you from joining the event. We typically have a few folks who don’t shoot but enjoy “walking” the course to watch the activities and take in the beautiful scenery. Volunteer opportunities are also available throughout the day.

Of course, no event is successful without the support of sponsors. We’d encourage you to consider being a Station Sponsor, provide raffle prizes, auction items or door prizes. You can learn about all of the ways you can help by calling the office.

We look forward to this event year after year, but we expect the 2021 event to be even more special as we have deeply missed the smiling faces and generous hearts of our loyal supporters. To sign up or receive more information, contact the Lions Pride Office at 715-677-7000 or email us at prideoffice@lionspride.org.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Autism Acceptance Month

01 Thursday Apr 2021

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Did you know that the prevalence of autism has increased drastically over the past decade? from 1 in 125 children in 2020 to 1 in 54 in 2020. April once was known as National Autism Awareness Month but is now being transformed to Autism Acceptance Month to help increase the awareness of signs and symptoms.

Autism is a complex, cognitive disorder that impacts a person’s social skills, communication, relationships and self-regulation. It can be present from 18 months of age but can also form early on in a child’s life (usually within the first three years.)

Autism is a broad spectrum disorder, which means no two people will show an exact set of symptoms, but early signs have been identified, including:

  • Speaking later than typical or not at all
  • Atypical nonverbal communication such as avoiding eye contact, giving only a few facial expressions or having a monotone
  • A preference of solitary play rather than cooperative play with other children
  • Adverse to sudden changes in their environment
  • A strong, perpetual interest on a specific topic, part of a toy or item

At this time, there is no individual cause for this lifelong disability, but early detection can help a person receive necessary support and services. You can learn more about development milestones by visiting the CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early” site.

Because ASD has become much more common, it is likely that you know someone who is impacted by the disability. Fortunately, with more occurrences comes more opportunities to serve. Today, there are thousands of resources available to help families manage autism. In 2019, the Wisconsin Lions Camp rolled out a new program for children with autism. Campers have an opportunity for a comprehensive program designed to help a child in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness. With the generous support of donors, summer camp participation is free of charge. A gift to Lions Pride, designated to Lions Camp will have a lasting impact on future generations of children.

As we enter the month of April, we encourage you to learn more about Autism because the more knowledge we have, the more we can pass on to others and start productive conversations. Together, we can help create a more caring and supportive environment for people with autism.

Embodying the Spirit of St. Nicholas

03 Thursday Dec 2020

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2020 has, of course, been a year unlike any other. Previously, it had become difficult keeping track of time. We often found ourselves asking, “Is it March or August?” But now that the month of December has arrived, there is no doubt that the holiday season is upon us.

Although there is no snow on the ground, cities, have begun hanging festive lights, decorated trees have started appearing in picture windows and digital sales have taken over our newsfeeds. It has become incredibly clear that Christmas is not far ahead, but before we get to December 25, we have a few other special events to celebrate – including St. Nicholas Day, happening on Tuesday, December 6.

St. Nicholas Day is a common holiday in Europe, but, sadly, not as well known here in America, so it should come as no surprise that many of us use the names, Santa Claus and St. Nicholas interchangeably. But the truth is that these two characters have a lot of key differences between them.

Aside from the fact that St. Nicholas was an actual person who lived in the 4th Century, he also gave simple gifts to those in need. After losing his parents at a young age, he used his extensive inheritance to help the less fortunate. His signature act was leaving gold coins in people’s shoes around the city. According to legend, he encouraged practicing compassion every day and actually became the model for Santa Claus himself.

On Monday night (or really anytime in December,) consider surprising your loved one by filling his or her stocking with small, unique gifts. Stocking stuffers can include ideas like artisan soaps, candy, jewelry, toys, memo notepads, keychains and more. For an extra special surprise, you can also provide a donation to their favorite charity made in their honor.

By choosing to make a gift to Lions Pride, you can help us work to continue improving the lives of people all around Wisconsin. Your gift will help to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all other WLF statewide projects – including eyeglass recycling, adult and children’s vision screening, diabetes education and more. If there is a project that is especially important to you or your loved one, simply designate the gift, and you can rest assured knowing that you’re helping the cause. Print the certificate and add it to a stocking for an inspiring gift that also gives back.

Together, we can all embody the spirit of St. Nicholas by remembering to include compassion and charity in our daily lives. Remember, it truly is the reason behind the season.

Happy Holidays from Lions Pride!

Celebrating Motorcyclists

09 Thursday Jul 2020

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On humid days like today, it’s difficult to enjoy the sunshine without a breeze. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with our plans, so sometimes you need to make your own. If you have to ask yourself how then we would guess that you don’t often find yourself on the back of a bike!

July 10, 2020 is National Motorcycle Day, an unofficial holiday dedicated to celebrating the spirit of adventure and freedom. From what we could find, the creators of the event (Sentry Insurance) thought the second week of July was the perfect time to continue the celebration of Independence Day one week later.

If you consider yourself to be a fan of Lions Pride, you probably already know that motorcyclists have a special place in our hearts.

For the past ten years, we’ve helped host the Friendship 100, an invitation-only motorcycle ride. Riders raise a minimum of $100 to participate, then the group takes a beautiful 100-mile ride from Fond du Lac to Rosholt.

Upon arrival, the riders enjoy a seated lunch, followed by a tour to experience life as a camper at Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Last year’s event was held on July 25, 2019. We were incredibly grateful to have received combined donations of $8270, nearly 50% more than their original goal. To date, the participating rides have donated almost $45,000.

Year after year, we look forward to seeing the friendly faces of our Friendship 100 Riders, but like many other summer events, we’ve had to postpone due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of course, we are disappointed that our 11th annual ride will not continue as usual, but we hope to host it later this fall. Perhaps the ride will coincide with the extravagant autumn colors.

To all of our Friendship 100 Riders, we’d like to send you a virtual message since we cannot see you this month as we’d like. We cannot tell you how much your generous support means to our organization. We are so appreciative of your giving hearts and hope to see you soon!

Wisconsin Lions Camp Summer 2020 Updates

28 Thursday May 2020

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2020 Lions Lake

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

Although the shelter-in-place orders have been lifted and businesses are starting to open up again in Wisconsin and all over the country, there’s no denying that coronavirus remains on everyone’s minds. Since we have already seen major summer events either canceled or postponed, you may be wondering, “Will Lions Camp be open during the summer of 2020?”

We are happy to inform you that the answer is yes, but modifications have been made in light of the pandemic. As you know, we learn new information every day, so not all programming has been finalized. At this time, the Block One Programs have been scheduled, but you’ll notice many limitations that have never been seen before. Unfortunately, the biggest change relates to the camper age requirements. All Block One Programs happening from June 28 to July 15, will only allow campers between the ages of 16 and 17 years old. Below you will find the updated schedule (as of May 18, 2020):

June 8 – June 18
Staff Training (Required for those working the full summer and block one)

Block One

June 21 – June 26
Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired (Cancelled)

June 28 – July 3
Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism – Limited to ages 16 and 17 campers only

July 5 – July 10
Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism Limited to ages 16 and 17 campers only

July 12 – July 15
Mini Camp Program: Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism (Cancelled)

The application deadline has recently passed for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Blind or visually impaired children with epilepsy programs. The Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing application will be available until July 17. The staff hopes to have the Block Two Program Schedule by Monday, June 22. See the entire schedule here.

The staff continues to evaluate the situation as additional information becomes available. Stay tuned for updates. For questions or concerns regarding the coronavirus update, please contact Andrea Yenter, Camp Director, at ayenter@wisconsinlionscamp.com or Evett Hartvig, Executive Director, at ehartvig@wlf.info.

Life may feel may normal than it has in quite some time, but coronavirus continues to have an impact on businesses and organizations all over the country. We believe it’s worth mentioning that we are all learning how to navigate the world post-COVID. Be sure to practice patience and compassion as you go about your day. It’s been said dozens of ways, but remember that we’re all in this together.

From all of us at Lions Pride, be kind and stay healthy!

Plant a Tree This Arbor Day

23 Thursday Apr 2020

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Lions Lake in Fall

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

Friday marks the observance of Arbor Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the beneficial role that trees play in our lives. Of course, this year’s celebration will be different we’ve seen in years past due to the novel coronavirus and extended “Safer to Home” Orders.

Two years ago, we developed tips on planning a tree planting project with a group, but we know that these points may not be especially pertinent to life in 2020 since none of us can predict when it will be considered safe to gather in groups. However, we think it’s important to bear in mind that planting a tree doesn’t necessarily require a group; instead, it may be a memorable outing for families wanting to make a positive impact on the environment.

Since the ground is no longer frozen (that is here in Central Wisconsin,) now is a fantastic time to plant a tree. By planting in the spring, you allow the tree an opportunity to grow all summer long then prepare for the cold winter months. Nonetheless, there are a few challenges that you will likely need to address. With the help of BHG, we’ve compiled a few tips to improve your chances of a successful tree planting:

  1. Safety first! Before even picking up the shovel, please be sure there will be no utility lines down below. Call the Diggers Hotline (811) before planning to dig. The dispatcher will ask you questions about your project and will need to reach out to local public utilities, which can take some time. The best time to call is two to three days before digging your hole.
  2. When you are ready to plant, dig a hole two to three times as wide as the root ball of your tree to allow for sufficient backfill soil.
  3. As you place the root ball within the hole, be sure to handle carefully to keep it all intact.
  4. Once the root ball is in your ideal location, surround it with lightly packed soil. Loose soil will help the roots grow easily.
  5. The biggest obstacle to planting in the spring is that the tree will need to make new roots and new leaves at the same time, which requires a lot of sugar and water. Be sure to give the tree a large drink of water just after planting and every day for weeks after. Adding mulch to the base of the tree will help keep the weeds out and reduce water loss.

If you are a Lion or Lioness, and plan to plant one or more trees in observance of Arbor Day, we invite you to share your numbers with Multiple District’s Environmental Chair, Lion Anita LeCleir at tia1937@yahoo.com.

At Lions Pride, our job is to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all other WLF projects, but we think those three essential words can also be applied to our responsibility as conscious citizens.

Instead of thinking of Arbor Day as just a one-day celebration, perhaps we can consider it as an opportunity to continually come up with new ways to improve the world around us. Remember that small steps, like planting a tree, can have a positive effect on our environment as well as generations to come.

Thank you for continuing to protect Planet Earth!

 

A Leap (Year) of Faith

27 Thursday Feb 2020

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Wisconsin Lions Camp Leap of Faith

Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

It’s that time again! If you’ve looked at a calendar sometime in the last month, you’ve probably noticed an extra day at the end of this one. Every four years, February gains an extra day as we ensure our calendar stays consistent with the planet’s rotation around the sun, most often known as a Leap Year.

This particular year feels especially symbolic to us as we take a leap of faith into the final phase of the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. But, before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back at how our organization began.

It all started with one name that we hope is not new to you – Dewey Carl. Back in 1974, Dewey joined the Manawa Lions Club. From that point on, he became a dedicated member of the Lions Organization, holding numerous positions at the local, state and international level. From 1986 to 1987, Dewey served as the Wisconsin Lions Foundation President. He later served as the District Governor and Council Chair from 1990 to 1991.

During that time, he recognized an unmet need. Expenses for Lions Camp and all WLF projects had tremendously increased, but the ever-important annual Lions Club Donations were not keeping up. He knew that many Wisconsin residents came to rely on these programs, so an additional financial source was crucial to keep them running.

He began establishing a donor-directed endowment fund. Then, in May of 2005, the Lions of Wisconsin voted to approve the campaign at the State Convention (again, following a Leap Year.) Since that time, the Lions Pride Board and Staff have been working tirelessly to preserve, protect and provide for Lions Camp and all statewide projects.

To date, the Lions Pride Endowment Fund has raised over $8.5 million to further the mission. Now, we are looking to unite our efforts to reach $10 million by the 2021 State Convention. Attaining this goal will provide more than $300,000 a year in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in support of Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects, sunsetting the campaign.

Lion Dewey showed us that there is nothing more important than working to improve the lives of others. His spirit lives on as we progress towards our end goal. With your continued support, we can raise the last $1.5 million to financially assist the Wisconsin Lions Foundation indefinitely. We hope you’ll consider including Lions Pride in your annual giving by making your donation today.

It’s been a wild ride, and we feel so fortunate to have our donors by our side. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for what your support has meant to us over the years. Let’s work together to achieve this milestone.

 

Showing Your Non-Profit the Love

13 Thursday Feb 2020

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Lions Pride LoveValentine’s Day is right around the corner! If you’re a romantic at heart, you’ve likely already started developing a plan to spoil your sweetie. Whether you choose to surprise them with a dozen roses, a huge box of chocolate or a cheesy stuffed animal, you know there are dozens of ways to show appreciation for your significant other. In addition to showing affection to your partner, we hope you’ll also use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show love to your favorite non-profit.

If you’re a proud Lions Pride supporter, we have a couple of ideas for you to share the love:

Support us on Facebook

You probably already know that social networks like Facebook are exceptional promotional tools that non-profit organizations use to keeping supporters up-to-date on current happenings, but did you know that you can also help them reach new potential donors? By sharing our updates, tagging us in status updates, and introducing us to your friends, you can help us earn more followers, encourage more donations and further our message.

One feature that you might not be already familiar with is the “Support Nonprofit” option within the status update. By clicking on the three-dotted icon within the status update box, you will see several more options come available when you create a post. By clicking “Support Nonprofit” and finding “Lions Pride Endowment Fund of WI,” you can help us raise funds to support our mission. This option seems especially popular around birthdays.

Facebook Status Update

Facebook Status Update Extended

No matter how you choose to use Facebook to promote Lions Pride, we appreciate you keeping us top of mind. Find and LIKE Lions Pride on Facebook.

Volunteer to Volunteer

One of the best gifts you can give to Lions Pride is the gift of your time. If you’re familiar with our organization, you know that our Lions Pride Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser is our biggest event of the year. Although it is a one-day event, it takes us months to get our preparations in order and volunteers help us make the event a success. The 13th Annual Lions Pride Shoot will take place on Saturday, June 13, at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek. If you would like to get involved before the event, please contact us today. We could always use a helping hand.

Make a donation

Lastly, one of the most obvious ways to share your love is to make a special donation in the name of a friend or loved one. With your dedication, we can reach our goal of $10 million by the Wisconsin Lions State Convention in 2021. Obtaining this goal will provide more than $300,000 in perpetuity to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, promoting the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all statewide WLF projects.

We are always on the hunt to show our appreciation for Lions Pride supporters, and we can’t think of a better way to spend Cupid’s Birthday. We’ve said it once and we’ve said it again, but we never tire of thanking you for your continued support. We would not be “today’s help, tomorrow’s hope” without the gracious hearts of our donors.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Celebrating National Camp Week

06 Thursday Feb 2020

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Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

As we write this post, the thermometer reads 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the temperature is far from balmy, we can’t stop thinking about afternoon swimming, vibrant sunsets and gooey s’mores. We know that it may be a bit too early to think about camping in this part of the country, but that isn’t going to stop us from commemorating National Camp Week.

During the second week of February, the American Camp Association hosts the ACA National Conference and has put National Camp Week on the calendar. The ACA is a community of camp professionals who come together to exchange knowledge and expertise to ensure the quality of camp programming. The organization wholeheartedly believes that the camp experience is essential to every child’s growth and development.

Don’t be surprised if that sentiment sounds familiar. Lion Ray Hempel had similar feelings when founding the Wisconsin Lions Camp back in 1956. He personally believed that attending camp would give special children the resources, skills and experiences that would last them far beyond their childhoods. That’s why the American Camp Association and Wisconsin Lions Camp are a seamless fit.

We may not be traveling to San Diego to attend this year’s conference, but we too are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2020 camping season. Each year, approximately 1,300 special campers with vision, hearing, intellectual disabilities or autism and Type 1 and 2 Diabetes visit Rosholt for a safe and memorable experience at the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Each camper has the opportunity for a comprehensive outdoor program, which includes (but is certainly not limited to) participating in overnight camping, learning about protecting the environment, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing and kayaking. The overarching goals of Lions Camp are to assist each camper in developing self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness. But above all, we want them to have fun and come back again.

Last year, we were proud to help send 150 children to the Wisconsin Lions Camp with the help of our generous supporters. Will you help us send them again in 2020? Consider donating to Lions Pride Endowment Fund, to help us carry on the beloved summer tradition in perpetuity. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support.

Sending you warm, summer thoughts during National Camp Week!