Tag Archives: self-confidence

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.

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.

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!

Celebrating Friendship with A.A. Milne

16 Thursday Jan 2020

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person gather hand and foot in center

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 “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!

Easy Ways to Celebrate the Planet

25 Thursday Apr 2019

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Photo Credit to Wisconsin Lions Camp

We’ve had Mother Nature on our minds this week. On Monday, we celebrated Earth Day, and tomorrow marks the 147th annual Arbor Day. With so many unofficial planet-related holidays, the month of April gives us a fantastic opportunity to think about our role as living creatures on Planet Earth.

We have great admiration for organizations who choose to make Mother Nature a primary focus in their everyday operations. In the past few years, we’ve witnessed the birth of successful eco-conscious startups, as well as many large companies (such as McDonald’s and SC Johnson), adopt more sustainable business practices. As we began brainstorming green organizations, another one immediately came to mind; an organization that is a little more local and very close to our hearts. We’re talking about the Wisconsin Lions Camp, of course!

As you likely already know, Lions Camp is located on 440 acres of land centered around Lions Lake in Rosholt, Wisconsin. During the summer months, the camp acts as the temporary home of weekly campers. During their week away, attendees spend the majority of their time outdoors, so it probably isn’t surprising to learn that they have a grand respect for Mother Nature.

While assisting the children with self-confidence, interdependence and social skills, the Wisconsin Lions Camp staff focuses on providing campers with strong environmental awareness. Campers are strongly encouraged to sign up for programs to learn about different areas of the environment. A few of the activities include nature hikes, animal tracking and water studies. They also have the opportunity to hear nature’s stories, first-hand, and play animal trivia. The ultimate goal is to teach the children to leave the environment in better condition than it was found.

As individuals, we can learn a lot from these organizations like Lions Camp by finding ways to show our respect for Planet Earth. Here are a few easy ways to “go green” at home:

  1. Plant a tree
  2. Opt-in to paperless billing options
  3. Dry your laundry on a clothesline
  4. Unplug appliances and charges when not in use
  5. Combine errands into one trip
  6. Use reusable bags instead of plastic
  7. Shop at your local farmer’s market
  8. Fix leaky faucets
  9. Collect rainwater for your houseplants and the garden
  10. Reuse scrap paper

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

By taking small steps towards greener living, we can all make a big difference to the world we live in. Let’s work together to celebrate the planet every day.

The Magic of Giving

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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Think back to your favorite Christmas memory. You were likely a small child. You can Santa is placing gift boxes under Christmas treeprobably remember your excitement as the holiday quickly approached. The days leading up to Christmas Eve, you were on your best behavior (but had good reminders from your parents and teachers.) When December 24 finally arrived, you couldn’t wait to go to sleep that night. Your mom and dad likely helped you prepare for the evening with a fresh plate of cookies and a glass of milk. You brushed your teeth and quickly went to bed, but then spent most of the night watching the clock – just waiting for an appropriate time to wake up. Then on Christmas morning, you couldn’t believe your eyes as you found a Christmas tree full of presents replaced with an empty plate. You believed in the magic of Christmas.

Sadly, things change as we grow older. Our excitement was instead replaced with stress and a To-Do list a mile long, and the spirit fades. Fortunately, the magic does reappear as we have children of our own, but our roles change – from excited child to excited parent. We also spend Christmas Eve, making preparations and not getting much shuteye because we too are eager to watch our children thrilled be opening our gifts. Then quietly smiling when they ask, “How did Santa know this is exactly what I wanted?” As parents, we come to discover a new kind of magic – the magic of giving.

But as life continues on, the cycle continues. Our children grow up, and the spirit again slightly fades.

Luckily, as supporters of Lions Pride, we have a unique role that allows us to play Santa all year long. How, you might ask? By giving special children all around the state of Wisconsin the gift of experience. This year, over 150 children were given the opportunity to spend a week in the beautiful place known as the Wisconsin Lions Camp. During their week at camp, these kids have the chance for overnight camping, canoe and hiking trips, swimming, kayaking, paddle boating, archery, crafts, sports and more. All the while, they are also developing self-confidence, interdependence, social skills and outdoor recreational skills, at no cost to their families.

This particular gift may not be beautifully wrapped under a bright, full Christmas tree, but we know in our hearts that it’s a gift that keeps on giving all year long because a child’s week at camp allows them the resources, skills and experiences that will serve them long beyond their childhoods.

Of course, none of this would be possible without you, the help of our donors, the lifeblood of our organization. We never get tired of saying thank you for your ongoing support. Although our biological children may be grown, we look forward to playing the role of Santa for countless years to come. Thank you for helping us continue our mission to preserve, provide and protect Lions Camp and all other WLF statewide projects.

The Lions Pride Office will be closed the week of December 24, to celebrate Christmas with our families. We’d like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

The Start of the 2018 Camping Season

31 Thursday May 2018

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Pack your bags, grab the sunscreen and let’s get ready to camp! We are officially less lions-pride_sunset-at-campthan ten days away from the start of the 2018 camping season at Wisconsin Lions Camp, and we couldn’t be more excited. For the past 60+ years, nearly 1300 campers with vision, hearing, mild cognitive disabilities and Type 1 and 2 diabetes travel to Rosholt for the adventure of a lifetime.

Below you will find the 2018 schedule:

Block One

June 10-15                       Adults who are Blind or Visually Impaired

June 17-22                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

June 24-29                       Children with Type I & II Diabetes

July 1-6                             Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 8-13                           Children with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism

July 15-20                         Staff Transition Week

 

Block Two

July 22-27                          Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

July 29-August 3               Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

August 5-10                       Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired

August 12-17                     Adults 18-25 with Intellectual Disabilities or Educational Autism (by invitation only)

August 20-24                     Adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (July 20)

During their week away, campers have the chance to create a comprehensive program built around their interests. Overnight camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, archery and crafts make up the daily activities that take place at camp.

The goals of camp are to assist each child in the areas of self-confidence, interdependence, environmental awareness, but above all, to have a fun, safe experience combined with camaraderie and friendship.

What do our campers and Lions Pride have in common? We both look forward to the camping season all year long. Did you know that when the Wisconsin Lions Camp was first opened, it was funded primarily by Lions Club donations? In the last decade or so, however, expenses for camp and all other WLF statewide projects have increased drastically.

Many might be surprised to learn that combatting rising costs was the primary reason for the birth of our organization. Read the whole story here. Today, the Wisconsin Lions Camp is one of the statewide WLF projects that receive financial support from the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. We’re proud to work alongside both donors to help create lifetime camp experiences for both now and future generations.  We sincerely appreciate your support as we continue on to preserve, protect and provide.

 

St. Nicholas Day and Lions Pride

01 Thursday Dec 2016

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Toned photo of three red Christmas socks hanging on fireplaceAlthough we don’t have any white, fluffy snow on the ground in Central Wisconsin, there is definitely no doubt in our minds that we have entered the holiday season. With the blockbuster shopping deal ads continuously showing on television and lighted trees slowly appearing in home windows, it has become clear that Christmas is not far away.

But before we arrive at Christmas, we have a few other special holidays to get to first, including St. Nicholas Day. On Tuesday night, children will hang out their stockings or leave out their shoes and wake to find what ole St. Nick has left for them. If they have behaved throughout the year, they can expect to find all sorts of goodies like candy, toys and other small gifts, and if they have misbehaved, they will likely find nothing but a lump of coal.

St. Nicholas Day is a very common holiday in Europe, but not as well known here in the United States, 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. According to legend, he encouraged practicing compassion everyday and actually became the model for Santa Claus himself.

Here at Lions Pride, we love the idea of St. Nicholas Day because we can relate directly to his message. With the help of our generous donors and supporters, we have the opportunity to give special children the gift of the great outdoors.

As you have likely already seen, childhood now is different than childhood at one time. With new and changing technology, children have a lot more entertainment options available such as video games, iPads and other electronic gadgets, they don’t have as much time to appreciate the beauty that lies right outside their front door.

Each summer, we’re proud to help bring children with special needs to Lions Camp to help show them the true value of Mother Nature. During their week away, they are able to camp, swim, hike, climb, kayak and enjoy outdoor living at its finest, all while building self-confidence, interdependence, social skills and environmental awareness that will help shape the rest of their childhood.

If you’re looking for a one of a kind gift this holiday season, consider making a donation in a loved ones name. (It could also make a great stocking stuffer!) You have the chance to cross a name off your shopping list and show a special child the joy of one of life’s simplest gifts – the wonders of nature at Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Donate Your Deer Hide to Wisconsin Lions Camp

10 Thursday Nov 2016

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The countdown is on! T-9 days until the official start of Wisconsin deer gun hunting deer-in-sunlightseason.

If you’re like more than 600,000 hunters all over the state, you are likely anxiously awaiting the arrival of next Friday morning. You’ve been diligently studying your trail cam images, already cleared your travel path and prepared your stand for a weekend in the great outdoors. You’ve been dreaming about hanging a set of beautiful antlers and a fridge full of venison to get you through the long winter, but have you thought about what you’ll do with your hide?

Again, like many other Wisconsin hunters, we hope you’ll consider donating your hide to Wisconsin Lions to help send a child to camp. Each deer-hunting season since 1991, Lions Club volunteers have set up collection sites all over the state. What started as a relatively small operation has grown immensely over the past couple decades. Today, there are over 175 collection sites from Ashland all the way down to Beloit. In recent years, the deer hide collection has raised anywhere from $75,000 to $95,000 for the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Donating is simple! Just bring your hide to a drop-off location near you. The hide will then be salted, preserved and eventually sold. Every hide donated will help send a child with special needs to camp.

Each year, we are proud to help send over one hundred children to camp, where they get the opportunity for learning, hiking, swimming, boating, crafting and so much more. With 440 acres of land and a 45-acre private lake, there is no shortage of fun. The goals of Lions Camp are to assist each child in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness; but most importantly, for the child to have a fun, safe, memorable experience.

Give back this hunting season by donating your hide to Wisconsin Lions Camp. From all of us at Lions Pride, thank you for continued support over the years, and good luck to all hunters!

 

Happy 60th Anniversary, Lions Camp!

18 Thursday Aug 2016

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It’s #ThrowbackThursday here at Lions Pride and today 60th-Anniversarywe’re looking back to the year of 1959. It was a great year filled with lots of memorable events: Alaska become the 49th state of America, the Grammy Music Awards began and the Boeing 707 came into service, but our favorite event was the birth of the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Just a few years earlier, a chance discussion started it all. Lion Ray Hempel was in a hospital visiting two blind 12-year old boys. The group was discussing outdoor activities, but when Lion Ray asked if they had ever been to camp, one responded with a statement that changed everything. He said, “Blind kids can’t go to outdoor camp and stuff like that.”

After the conversation, Lion Ray’s imagination ran wild with an idea for camp that would allow children with disabilities to enjoy all the wonders of nature. Seven years later, his dream became a reality, and the Wisconsin Lions Camp was opened.

This year marks the 60th of camp. During that time, over 70,000 campers walked and camped in these woods. Our campers have the chance to become more self-confident, gain social skills, develop a strong environmental awareness and have the week of a lifetime. (If only trees could talk, we’d love to hear about the daily adventures.)

To celebrate the 60th anniversary, the Wisconsin Lions Camp will be hosting an open house on Sunday, August 21, from 9 am to 3 pm. We invite you to join us for a camp tour at your leisure. You also have the opportunity to enjoy a pontoon or wagon ride. Food will be available for purchase from 11 am to 1 pm.

While you are touring the camp, be sure to stop by the Lions Pride office and visit with our Executive Director Geri Schlender. We look forward to celebrating with you and can’t wait to see what the next 60 years have in store!

Visit our website to find out how you can honor someone with a Ray Hempel Fellowship.