Category Archives: Lions Camp

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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62604557_10157219362669356_951455837270835200_o (1)

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!

Celebrating Friendship with A.A. Milne

16 Thursday Jan 2020

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person gather hand and foot in center

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 “We didn’t realize that we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.” -Winnie the Pooh

We know that some time may have passed since you’ve thought about Christopher Robin. However, if you are a parent or grandparent, there’s no doubt that you are familiar with the name.

Saturday, January 18, is fondly known as Winnie the Pooh Day, the anniversary of A.A. Milne’s birthday. The author was best known for creating a collection of stories surrounding his son, Christopher Robin, and his honey-loving teddy bear.

Within these stories, Milne sent Christopher on wonderful adventures with Pooh, Piglet and the other characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. Each story always brought a lot of fun, as well as an important life lesson. It should come as no wonder that over 50 million copies have been sold worldwide, over the last 90+ years.

All of this discussion about growth and adventure makes us think of another place where friendships are made, a little closer to home.

The Wisconsin Lions Camp provides an experience for children and adults with special needs to come together for a week of joy. The goals are to assist in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness, but most importantly, to have a fun, safe, memorable adventure – all at no cost to their families.

Do you know a child or adult that would benefit from this experience? Please encourage them to apply! As of today, online and paper applications are now available. See the complete 2020 schedule below: 

Block One

 

June 7 – June 12                     Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired

June 14 – June 19                   Children with Type 1 & 11 Diabetes

June 21 – June 26                   Children with Type 1 & 11 Diabetes

June 28 – July 3                       Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

July 5 – July 10                         Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

July 12 – July 15                      Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Autism

 

Block Two

July 19 – July 24                      Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

July 25 – July 31                      Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

August 2 – August 7                Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired and Epilepsy

August 9 – August 13              Adults 18-25 with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism (by invitation only)

August 17 – August 21            Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

 

There’s nothing more valuable in life than being in the company of friends. Consider celebrating the unofficial occasion finding a copy of one of A.A. Milne’s classics.

Happy Winnie the Pooh Day!

Lions Pride Year in Review

26 Thursday Dec 2019

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Lions Lake Totem PoleChristmas is officially behind us. Can you believe it? With Thanksgiving falling late in November, we all had less time to prepare for the busiest season of the year, but we all managed to survive! Now, with the year quickly winding down, we hope you have some time to reflect on the past 360 days.

In 2019, we were proud to accomplish the following milestones:

  • Helped send over 1200 Wisconsin children to Lions Camp, where they were able to learn lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond their childhoods. Campers were able to participate in several outdoor activities, build lasting friendships and enjoy being kids in a fun, safe environment.
  • Collected and recycled eyeglasses to share with people in need all around the world. Each year our Eyeglass Recycling Center receives an average of 800,000 pairs of used glasses each year.
  • Screened the eyes of thousands of children from all around the state from ages 6 months to teenage. With early detection, we’re able to help preserve and protect a child’s gift of sight.
  • Provided local communities with essential diabetes education. Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 74, as well as a significant cause of other serious health complications? Our goal is to help reduce the number of blindness cases through education, early detection and treatment.

Of course, none of these accomplishments would be possible without the continued support of our gracious donors. We would not be “Today’s help, tomorrow’s hope” without you. We are incredibly thankful to have you by our side.

As we wrap up the year, we’d ask you to consider Lions Pride in your year-end giving plans. We are excited to announce our determined efforts to reach $10 million by the Wisconsin Lions State Convention in 2021. Attaining 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. Let’s come together in support.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed for the remainder of the week. Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Lions Pride 2019 Annual Meeting

18 Thursday Jul 2019

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Screen Shot 2019-07-17 at 6.04.27 AMHappy (Lionistic) New Year! We’re not sure how it happened, but July has arrived once more. If you’re familiar with Lions Club International, you know that they finish out the organization’s fiscal year with the International Convention. Lions Pride follows a similar tradition by also hosting an important event. Our annual meeting will take place this Friday, July 20, at the Lions Pride Office. The meeting starts at 1:30 pm.

Our board members are stationed all over the state; they get together four times a year but do not usually have the chance to meet with the general public. Annual meetings are an incredible opportunity to talk with members outside of the organization about the current financial standing of Lions Pride.

The annual meeting will directly follow the third board meeting of the year. The agenda will include a discussion of the year’s activities, fundraising efforts and overall financial position. We’ll also hear a statement from LPEF President Sam Kochel and have the chance to thank our donors in person.

If you already have plans and are unable to attend, you can still request a copy of the annual report, which will be available next week. You can send your request for an electronic or printed version (please note supplies are limited) by emailing us at prideoffice@lionspride.org.

As we continue to prepare for this week’s meeting, we can’t help but look back on the previous year with fond memories. It was another year filled with success and gratitude. We feel fortunate to be able to work with such a generous group of people. Thank you for helping us carry out our mission to preserve, provide and protect for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. We know there are lots of outstanding organizations out there to support, and we feel so grateful that you continue to choose ours.

Thoughtful Father’s Day Gift Ideas

13 Thursday Jun 2019

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baby sitting on man s shoulder

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He showed you how to ride your first back, taught you how to change a tire and how to take pride in your work. Of course, he did more than teach you essential life skills, he also provided for his family and gave endless amounts of support as you transformed from a young child to a responsible adult. This Sunday, June 16, is Father’s Day. How will you honor dear ole dad?

Without giving it much thought, you know that there are a few gifts that have become Father’s Day staples; gifts like power tools, ties and wild socks (that will likely take up permanent residence in his drawer.) Rather than relying on one of the traditional presents, consider giving dad an out-of-the-box gift that we know he’ll love:

  • A helping hand: Unfortunately, adulthood typically includes responsibilities that we aren’t always pleasant. For dad, it may be mowing the grass or cleaning up the basement. Help lighten the load by offering to pitch in. You know what they say, “Many hands make for light work,” and we can bet that he’ll love the company.
  • A day together: Do you recall the last time you spent quality time with your father? If you have to think too hard, that means it’s been too long! Allow dad to spend Sunday with the activity of his choice. He might want to get out on the lake, hit the back nine or just soak in the sun for a lazy afternoon together. We know that life can get busy, so keep in mind that a raincheck is always an option.
  • A gift that gives back: If there is an organization close to dad’s heart, think about giving a donation in his honor. As you likely already know, nonprofits wouldn’t get very far without the help of their supporters, as donations as the lifeblood of the organization. It’s not too late to make an honorarium donation to Lions Pride. Your donation will help us continue to preserve, provide and protect the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF statewide projects. Learn more about memorial/honorarium donations.

Remember, the best presents in life don’t come wrapped in ribbons and bows.  Show your appreciation for dad with a gift from the heart.

Happy Father’s Day from Lions Pride!

The 12th Annual Lions Pride Shoot

06 Thursday Jun 2019

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Screen Shot 2019-06-05 at 7.21.07 PM3, 2, 1… Shoot! We know that it may be hard to believe, but we are only days away from our biggest event of the year. Each year for the past 12 years, we’ve held the Lions Pride Shoot at Milford Hills in Johnson Creek.

Our sporting clays fundraiser has become our most popular event that takes place on the second weekend in June. Both Lions and non-Lions come together to enjoy a day out in the beautiful rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin to support Lions Pride.

The day begins with an early lunch, followed by a challenging course with games and door prizes. After shooters have finished the course, they wind down from their action-packed day with cold beer, a live auction and delicious dinner. The Pride Shoot is one of the most, unique and successful fundraisers that take place for the Lions Pride Endowment Fund.

Although the Lions Pride Shoot is a one-day event, the staff has actually been planning for months. A lot of tiny details go into the overall preparation of the fundraiser, including recruiting participants, finding sponsors, collecting both door prizes and auction items, coordinating all of the day’s events with the Milford Hills staff and recruiting volunteers. Now, like the blink of an eye, the final week is upon us.

We’re continually being reminded of Dewey Carl’s spirit, but it’s even more present in the day leading up to the shoot because it was an event that he always looked forward to attending. In honor of our late chairman, we have always challenged ourselves to make each year’s fundraiser even better than the last.

As we diligently work to finish up the last details of the event, we’d like to take a moment to thank our donors, sponsors, shooters and volunteers. We know first-hand that it takes a village of people to create an enjoyable event, and we don’t know where we’d be without their support.

See you on Saturday!