Tag Archives: kids

The Benefits of Getting Outside

04 Thursday Feb 2021

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Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

Did you know that the first Saturday of every month is known as National Play Outside Day? This unofficial holiday gives families including kids, parents and grandparents a regular opportunity to get outside to play together. You may be wondering why we need a monthly occurrence to remind us to spend some time outdoors, but the fact is both kids and adults alike have stopped playing outside (and we’re not just talking about the time during these chilly winter months.)

One of the easiest ways you can improve the health of yourself and those around you is by spending a little more time outside. Here are a few important health benefits associated with getting out and enjoying nature at its finest:

  • You can find ways exercise without giving it much thought.
  • You can increase your Vitamin D intake, which is beneficial for your bones, blood cells and immune system.
  • You can improve your sleeping habits by regulating your internal clock.
  • You can enhance your creative problem-solving capabilities by refocusing your attention.
  • You can stay active and more easily manage a healthy weight.

Time outside may be on the decline, but it remains a core factor for our special campers in all of the summer programming at Wisconsin Lions Camp. In each session, children have the chance for a comprehensive outdoor program that includes everything from overnight camping, canoe and hiking trips, swimming, paddle boarding and more.

The goals, of course, are to assist each child in the development of self-confidence, interdependence and social skills, as well as help build upon their outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness. The staff understands that there is no better way to observe everything that Mother Nature has to offer with a variety of fun, outdoor activities that encourage campers to continue playing outside – even after leaving camp.

We can all take a play out of the Wisconsin Lions Camp handbook by remembering to get out and play. We know that the frigid temperatures this weekend may not necessarily be conducive to enjoying a lot of time outside, but it will be the perfect time to plan your favorite outdoor winter activity when the weather warms back up.  

If you know someone who could benefit from a trip to the Wisconsin Lions Camp, you can find additional program information and online applications on the Wisconsin Lions Camp website.

Wisconsin Lions Camp Summer 2020 Updates

28 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Lions Camp, News, Special Events

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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!

Lions Pride Year in Review

26 Thursday Dec 2019

Posted by in Giving Tips, Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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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!

Stuff the Bus Collection Drive

01 Thursday Aug 2019

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back bus education school

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The start of a new school year brings out a lot of emotions for children. Some kids may be happy to see all of their friends again, nervous about entering a new grade level or disappointed that they will soon need to say goodbye to the hot, lazy days of summer. Many parents may be happy to get their children back in a normal routine, nervous about the money they will need for back to school shopping or disappointed that they’re not more excited to get them back to school.

Would you believe that the average cost to send a child back to school amounts to about $630? Between school supplies, new clothes and shoes as well as electronics, the costs add up quickly. Studies have shown that children are more likely to be in compared to the rest of the population. A 2017 American Community Survey reports that in Wisconsin alone, approximately 1 in every six children is living in poverty compared to 1 out of every eight people in the state population.

Childhood poverty is still on the rise, which makes it difficult for families to find the resources they need to send their children back to school. This summer, you can help reduce the strain for parents by participating in an area Stuff the Bus Collection Drive.

Getting involved is easy. On your next shopping trip, take a walk down the school supplies aisle and purchase a few items to donate. Remember, retailers know that the new school year is right around the corner, so now is the perfect time to take advantage of sizzling sales. Below you’ll find supplies most commonly found on area lists:

  • Anti-bacterial wipes
  • Baby wipes
  • Backpacks
  • Binders – 3-ring, 1 ½” to 2”
  • Binder Dividers – 5-tab set
  • Bookbag
  • Colored pencils
  • Compass
  • Crayons – 8 ct, 24 ct
  • Facial tissue
  • Flash drive
  • Folders – 2 pocket
  • Glue sticks
  • Graphing paper
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Highlighters – Yellow
  • Index cards (100 pack)
  • Sharpie Ultra-fine – black
  • Paper
  • Loose-leaf notebook paper – wide-lined & college rule
  • Paper towels
  • Pencils – #2
  • Pencil case – zippered for 3-ring binder
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Pens – ballpoint
  • Pink erasers
  • Printer paper – plain white
  • Post-it notes
  • Ruler – 12″ with inches & centimeters
  • School box
  • School glue
  • Scissors – 4-5″ blunt & pointed tips
  • Stapler – small
  • Staples
  • Spiral notebooks – single subject – wide lined & college rule
  • Washable markers – Wide tip – 8 colors, Thin tip – 8-12 colors
  • White out (nonliquid)
  • Zip-lock bags – sandwich, quart & gallon

Then, find a Lions Stuff the Bus Drive near you. The official statewide collection drive is Saturday, August 11, but several clubs are running events throughout the month. We’d suggest talking with area Lions, visiting local club websites and searching Facebook for nearby events.

Lions Pride is a proud supporter of local Lion and Lioness Clubs hosting Stuff the Bus Collection Drives. Whether you donate a pack of loose-leaf paper or an armful of supplies, please know that your generosity has a huge impact for Wisconsin families. Thank you for helping us stuff the bus!

 

 

National Missing Children’s Day

23 Thursday May 2019

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black and white blank challenge connect

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

According to the FBI’s National Crime Information Center, 612,846 reports of missing persons were filed in 2018. Of those reports, nearly 85,000 remained active by year end; sadly, youth accounted for 34.8 percent of all active records.

Since 1983, May 25 has been known as National Missing Children’s Day. Each year, the Department of Justice holds a ceremony to honor the efforts of agencies, organizations and individuals who work to protect children. At the annual presentation, awards are presented to various individuals. Honors include the Attorney General’s Special Commendation, Missing Children’s Law Enforcement Award, Missing Children’s Child’s Protection Award and Missing Children’s Citizen Award.

Additionally, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) holds a poster contest, in which fifth graders from all over the country are invited to complete a drawing that illustrates the theme, “Bring Our Missing Children Home.” See this year’s award winner. The contest creates a unique opportunity for schools, law enforcement and child advocates to discuss the issue of missing and/or exploited children with youth, parents and guardians.

We are incredibly appreciative to all agencies and people who work to protect children from harm. In honor of Missing Children’s Month, we’d also like to spread the word by sharing a few helpful pieces of information to teach your child. Many of these tips will not likely be new but will ideally act as a refresher that you can share with your loved ones.

Importance pieces of information to teach your child:

  1. Their first and last name
  2. The full names of their parents, address and phone number
  3. How to identify trusted adults
  4. How and when to call 911
  5. The power of the buddy system

Missing Children’s Month is dedicated to encouraging all parties, including parents, guardians, caregivers, neighbors, teachers and all concerned individuals, to make child safety a priority. Lions Pride hopes these suggestions help keep you and your children safe. Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Take Your Daughter to Work Day & A Look Inside Lions Pride

28 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Conventions, Fundraising, Lions Camp, Special Events

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Every year on the fourth Thursday of April, Lions Pride Boothparents across the United States celebrate Take Your Daughter to Work Day. Gloria Steinem created the event in 1993, to expand the career horizons of young girls. Today, Take Your Daughter to Work Day has evolved to “Take Our Children to Work Day” because women now make up half of the US workforce.

Since our kids are officially grown and have work of their own, we thought it would be fun to give our readers and supporters a look inside the daily operations of Lions Pride.

As you may already be familiar, our mission is to preserve, protect and provide. We are continuously looking for ways to help support WLF projects focusing on the Wisconsin Lions Camp, the eyeglass recycling center, diabetes education, early children’s vision screening and more. Donors have a unique opportunity when working with Lions Pride because they have the chance to voice exactly which projects they choose to support.

We just wrapped up our convention season. Throughout the past Lionistic year, we visited many different Lions Club districts around the state, educating them about our organization. We are now moving on to planning and preparing for our next fundraising event, the 9th Annual Sporting Clay Shoot, which will take place on June 11, 2016, at Milford Hills Hunt Club in Johnson Creek.

Although our daily schedule is a bit more unpredictable, we expect to be working alongside the Board of Directors, communicating with our donors, managing the budget, coordinating with the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, keeping up with administrative duties and more.

Typically, our organization consists of one full-time person and two part-time people; however, we are currently searching for a part-time office manager to help with the organization responsibilities. (If you know of someone who fits the job description, please let us know.)

As you can see, there’s never a dull moment around here! We feel so lucky to represent such an outstanding organization with an important message and filled with phenomenal supporters. What else do you want to know about Lions Pride?

Happy “Take Our Children to Work Day”!

Good Pedestrian Safety Habits

10 Thursday Sep 2015

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Now that September has arrived, there is a noticeable difference in the Central Wisconsin atmosphere. Although the weather is still unseasonably warm for this time of year, it is obvious that fall is upon us.

School started a few weeks ago, and we shared safety tips when driving through school zones. While we know this is an important piece in keeping our children, we know that there are more pieces that come into play. This week, we thought it would be nice to switch perspectives and list safety tips to share with the children in your life.

Sadly, each year, thousands of kids are killed or critically injured due to accidents with motor vehicles. We also know that many of these fatalities can be prevented with the knowledge of a few key safety tips.

  1. Always use the crosswalk

Crossing someplace other than an intersection is the reason for approximately 81 percent of child pedestrian deaths. Emphasize the importance of taking the extra time to cross the street at the corner.

  1. Use the sidewalks when available

Sidewalks can reduce pedestrian crashes by nearly 90 percent. Always use a sidewalk or path when it’s there. If there are no sidewalks on the road, be sure to walk facing traffic and as far away from the vehicles as possible. If walking at night, wear brightly colored clothing so you can easily be seen.

  1. Stay alert

According to a recent study, 1 in 5 high school kids crosses the street while distracted – meaning they are either playing on their mobile phone or listening to headphones. Talk to your children and make sure they are paying full attention while crossing the street. Remember to take your own advice, if you put your phone down, then they will likely do the same.

  1. Watch for second cars

While many cars will stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, there is still the chance that someone behind them may not. Remember to pause at each lane or intersection and make eye contact with the drivers to avoid an accident.

Walking may seem like a monotonous activity to many teens and children, but it’s so important to pay attention. Please take the time to talk with your kids and grandkids about good pedestrian safety habits, both now and throughout the school year. We can all work to reduce pedestrian injuries in Wisconsin.

Safe travels from Lions Pride!
Shared Responsibility

August is National Eye Exam Month

20 Thursday Aug 2015

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Kids National Eye Exam MonthParents of school-aged children have a huge laundry list of items that they need to get through before the new the school year begins. They need to go-back-to-school shopping, get their children registered and see the primary doctor, but there is an important task that doesn’t often make the cut – scheduling an appointment with the optometrist.

August is National Eye Exam Month so there’s no better time to give everyone a refresher on the importance of eye health. Did you know that nearly 50 percent of parents with children under the age of 12 have never taken their children to see an eye care professional? As Lions and Lionesses, we understand that vision problems are an incredibly common issue, but now is the time for us to spread the word about the many benefits of scheduling an eye exam for children:

  1. Perform well in school

Eighty percent of a child’s learning is related to sight; however, vision problems affect one in twenty preschoolers and one in four school-aged children. The biggest issue is that children sometime don’t know or can’t tell when they aren’t seeing correctly. After visiting the eye care professional, there is no question.

  1. Detect eye conditions early on

Without early detection and treatment, some vision problems can lead to more serious complications such as permanent vision loss, learning disabilities and delayed development. Checking for these conditions is part of a routine eye exam.

  1. Determine correct prescription

Eyes are continuously changing over time. By visiting your eye care professional annually, parents can be sure that their children always have the right prescription.

For the rest of the month, Lions Pride is encouraging your loved ones to schedule an eye exam for their children as well as themselves. Let’s work together to be sure everyone is seeing clearly!

5 Things to Do Now That Kids are Back to School

04 Thursday Sep 2014

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Although summer is always fun, we know parents all around the country give a joint sigh of relief when it’s time for the kids to go back to school. It’s time for parents everywhere to get back in the routine and enjoy a little more free time with these fun ideas:

  1. Get some peace and quietPeace & Quet

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of silence. Although this sound may bring you worry when children are around, today and for months to come, it should bring you joy. Use those quiet moments, doing things you enjoy most whether it’s reading a book or having a nice cup of coffee.

  1. Go shopping – for yourself

We all know that shopping with children can be a challenge. But now, the kids have been taken care of – they have already gotten their new Saleclothes and school supplies. Now it’s time to think about you. Take a trip to the mall and buy that purse you’ve been eyeing up. You deserve it!

  1. Take a quick nap

Summertime can be mentally demanding for parents. Start to catch up on those long days with a quick nap. A short nap (20 to 30 minutes) has wonderful benefits for your mind and body. Remember, no one is judging you!

  1. Get organized

With children away for the majority of the day, you will find yourself not tripping over as many toys as you are used to. Take that time to put everything back in its place. Avoid overwhelm by doing one room at a time.

  1. Exercise your cares away

When kids are around, it is next to impossible to find time to exercise. Don’t worry, you spent the summer taking trips and chasing kids, we’re sure you burned plenty of calories! But now, it’s time to take a more planned approach with your favorite workout routine.

What do you plan to do now that the kids are back to school? We hope everyone is enjoying a great, first week back!

Ways to Fight Summertime Boredom

26 Thursday Jun 2014

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It is officially Day 5 of Summer 2014, has the phrase, “I’m bored!” been uttered from the mouths of your kids or grandkids yet?

Although summer is the season many people, especially children, look forward to, it’s surprising boredom often rears its ugly head. Summer is supposed to be the time of year when we are able to step away from our usual busy lives and unwind for a couple of months.

But now, back to the main question, how can you beat summertime boredom? Lions Pride has come up with a list of things to do with the restless kids in your life.

  • Bring back traditional outdoor games

With the endless supply of video games and hundreds of channels on television, it seems like there would be no reason to go outside. Re-introduce the games that you grew up with such as tag, frisbee and hopscotch. Visit this website to find games you may have even forgotten all about.

  • Plan a day tripSummer Fun

A trip out of town for even just an afternoon can be a great mini-vacation for everyone. The best part is you don’t even have to go far.  There are plenty of things to do in our great State. Click here to find a link to events and attractions. Find a nearby county park by clicking here and you’ll be on your way in no time at all. Many have hiking, swimming, biking and other activities; you never know what you might find. Pack a picnic lunch and you’re sure to have a day of fun. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

  • Check the community bulletin boards

June, July and August seem to be the months where there is always something happening. Look to the bulletin boards at coffee shops, restaurants, movie theaters and bowling alleys to find events happening in and around the city.

  • Reach out to your favorite organizations or charities

There’s no better time to lend a helping hand than this time of year. Many organizations host special events or fundraisers in the summer months. Check your favorite charity’s website or call their office to see if there are any volunteer opportunities available. You can check out a list of what your local Lion and Lioness Clubs are doing by clicking here.  This idea has more than one benefit; not only are you helping an organization in need, but you are also showing your children/grandchildren how good it feels to help others.  It’s hard to be bored when you are busy.

Remember summer is fleeting and ends all too soon, take time to enjoy it. Before you know it, school will be back in session!

What ideas do you have to stop summertime boredom?  Share your ideas in the comment section below.