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SUMMER 2012
Showing the positive impact your gifts make in the lives of adults
with developmental disabilities.
On The Ground!
I am so proud of the partnerships that have formed between Camp Blue Skies and the community.
In March, we welcomed student volun-teers from Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia to our Atlanta Camp. It was a joy to witness their enthusiasm, preparedness and readiness.
Also this spring, a Harvard Business School Class, with financial support from Google and Facebook, helped direct online traffic to our website, allowing even more people
to learn about our organization and its mission.
We’re happy to have Amy Millikan join us as our new development director. Camp is expensive and, since campers pay less than one-third of our costs, we depend on the generosity of friends and foundations to help make up the difference. Amy will help coordinate our special events and fund raising efforts so we can continue to serve our campers.
Way to go, team!
Sheryl Jordan, Angela Nunez and Mary Kay Jans, our friends from the Equine Connections program at the Ford Plantation in Savannah, GA, facilitated a wonderful communication program be-tween campers and ponies this spring! Campers learned how to groom, feed and prompt the ponies to walk, trot, and stop on command!
David Boardman uses a blend of humor, games and simple instructions to transform a group of campers into musi-cians during his famous Drumming classes.
We have been lucky enough to have David at our last three camps!
The Sky’s the Limit! Message from Dick Sesler, Founder
WWW.CAMPBLUESKIES.ORG ENGAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENJOY!
Thank you to our program instructors!
Part of the magic of camp comes from people sharing what they love with others. We are so appreciative for all our wonderful programmers for your dedication to our community and for sharing a little part of yourselves. The results are truly magical!
A day in the life
at camp
Sheryl with pony and campers!
When residents of Annandale Village attended Camp Blue Skies’ first Atlanta session in 2011, there were five “Villagers” and one support person, Ac-tivities Coordinator Sandy Weaver. That first year, she found that “each Villager accomplished something they had never tried or nev-er had the confi-dence to attempt.”
In fact, it was such a positive experi-ence that 14 Villag-ers participated in camp this year! And there is no better example of the transformative power of the camp experience than Ken.
KEN’S STORY Before attending camp, Ken was a follow-er; timid about physical activities and needing prompting to participate. In 2011, with the reassurance of his “wonderful cabin leaders,” Ken began to seize new opportunities. He was talking with peers, initiating tasks, and expressing himself. Slowly, independence came. On the final day of camp, Ken actually took initiative to direct his peers through a team-building task. Everyone—Sandy included—was amazed. “I could not believe it was
the same man,” she says.
THE TRANSFORMATION The experience carried over to his Village life. Ken has become talkative and social, developing new relationships and finding his voice. He has even gained employ-
ment. The Annandale staff now talks about the ‘before-Camp Ken’ and the ‘after-Camp Ken’.
According to Sandy, camp changes people because “there are no preconceived notions about limitations. No limit to who you can become and what you can accomplish, and no limit to unconditional support and acceptance. By the end of the camp week
there is more self-direction, more confi-dence, more enthusiasm.”
We are grateful to have Annandale at our camp. When Sandy sees the remarkable changes in the camp participants, she says, “That’s the only testimonial I need. Thank you Camp Blue Skies!”
Partnership is Changing Lives…for GOOD By Kit Sluder, Health Services Director
Did you ever wonder what college students do over spring break?
“At camp, there are no preconceived notions about limitations. No limit to who you can become and what you can accomplish, and no limit to unconditional support and acceptance.” -SANDY WEAVER
Some of the best ones volunteer at Camp Blue Skies!
For the last two years, more than 20
students from Georgia Southern
University have volunteered as cabin
counselors for a week at camp. This
past March, University of Georgia
students joined us as well. These
volunteers bring with them a level of
energy, fun and excitement that
quickly rubs off on the campers and
other volunteers alike.
Watching the college students inter-
act with our campers is truly inspira-
tional. One of the students summed
up his experience, saying, "This was
one of the most powerful things I
have done. It was a pleasure to
donate my time and hopefully help
the campers have the best week
possible."
Our spring session at Camp Blue
Skies Atlanta is more than just a week
at camp; it is a break to remember!
For more information about Annandale Village please visit their website: www.annandale.org
Top: UGA Students; Bottom: GSU Students
Blue Skies ($5,000+) Andrew Boszhardt The Merancas Foundation Giant Swingers ($1,000 - $4,999) Bank of America Foundation CB Richard Ellis, Inc. Foundation Nick Gaede Hugh Stuart Center Charitable
Trust Kathy and Jake Jacobson Patty and Bill Kramer John Lamb Majestic Realty Foundation Occupied Renovations Nelson Schwab III Scott Horowitz Philanthropic
Fund Will and Kelly Stevens Ernest C. Wentcher Will and Barbra Wood
Campership ($500 - $999) James H. Buchanan Miles Cox Heath Echols Anne Murphy Gallagher
Susan and William Kee Brian Kennedy Deborah and Jim Lollar Steve and Tobie Sasser Marjorie Moses Schwab Joseph and Janice Shrader Scott and Louanne Vaughn Peter and Jessica Walter Jane Webb Cabin Mates ($250 - $499) Rand Ayer Steve Chaudoin Julian Clark Val Copeland Stephen Furnary Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. Joseph Mullican Ken and Ruth Samuelson Helping Hands (up to $249) Anonymous Brian Agnew Kim Anderson Meredith Russell Anglin Adria and Woody Appleby Elizabeth Coley Barry Melissa and Trey Barry Ken Bartels and Jane Condon Ashley Bartsch Barb Beal Lee Benson Gail Bernstein Robert Harris Bernstein Janna Bilski James Blecke Linda Blevins Jane Blount Sandy Burnett Edward J. Calhoun Mason and Leigh Cardwell John and Gay Cass David R. Castagna Jon Chasteen Martha and Steve Clifford Steve and Elizabeth Cobb
Wes Connor Matthew Copeland John B. Cox Tom and Millie Cox Charles Dannis Alan W. Davis Jason M. Davis Matthew R. Davis Nathan E. Davis Pamela H. Davis Stephanie L. Davis Jeffrey DiModica Mark Dillon Abbie Dougherty Jessica Earnhardt Sarah C. Eayrs Amy Elaasar Ronna Jacobs Ellwing Melissa Emery Janice and Steve Ezzo Brian Fitzpatrick Lucia Franzese Tiffany Noah Gay Laura Glasscock Jeffrey Glenney Elizabeth Golembeski Karen M. Golembeski Thomas and Kathy Golembeski Lori Ann Gougeon Dianne Green Rebecca and Tony Greiner James Keith Guimond Alison Hackney Addie Hall Chas Hamill Frank J. Hanna Jr. Becky and Mike Harris Kristy Harris Meg Hassey Britain Henderson
Kathy Hibbitts Rebecca Hilinski Henry Hinrichsen Pat Hogan Kelly Horan Ellen Houpt Scott Hundertmark John and Eve Isley Peter James Chris and Wendy Johnson Roxanne Jones, Inc. Robert Jones Francis Michael Joyce Brad Jubin Marvin and Michelle Kennedy Gary S. Kessler William King, Jr. Jonathan Krieger Tim and Debbie Lamb Martha and Scott Lefevre Debora J. Lehrer Richard A. Maloy Molly L. Matesich Sloane Mayberry Ronna McAuley Hoy McConnell Carlyn Jean McGuire Scott McLeod James McNerney, Jr. Bill McNitt Jim McNitt Ruben Manuel Millares
Thank You to Our Donors Thank you to all organizations and individuals who provide financial and in kind support for the work of Camp Blue Skies.
I feel like I have gained more experience and more knowledge by being
a volunteer… I felt good about myself knowing that I was going to be
helping others and I was going to enjoy doing it! -2012 VOLUNTEER
… I love this camp and I love all the counselors. It is relaxing for me! -2012 CAMPER
Colleen Baldree Bradford Barry Emily Barry Mary Kathryn Barry Trey Barry Amanda Bastien Katie Bemisderfer Josh Bishop David Boardman Rachel Booth Josh Cagliani
Jim Cochran Elizabeth Collins Catherine Colquitt Whitlee Cox Sara Curry Anuj Dhir Carly Dickson Chris Eckles Jamie Ekstrom Amanda Elmore David Floyd Carol Gamble Harrison Gamble Melanie Gamble Claire Goodwin Caroline Greene
Jordan Greene Becky Harris Kelsey Harris Mike Harris Hunter Hicklin Jeffrey Hinkle Jane Holland John Holland Joanna Hollaway Paul Ingle Amber Irvin Kristen Jackson Mary Kay Jans Bo Johnson Sheryl Jordan Alan Kennedy Brian Kennedy Marvin Kennedy Michelle Kennedy Rebecca Kennedy Caley Kropp Jerri Kropp Natasha LaBalle David Lanier Patrick Lanier Brittney Lucas Megan Martin Dan Mathews Colleen McNally
Amy Millikan Darren Monsanto Bo Moore Steve Morgan Katie Murphy Pat Murphy Angela Nunez Paige Phillips Brian Pritchard Ruth Richards Emily Rogers Alan Ross Zack Rumble Kelisha Russell Meg Shapiro Leah Stapleton Lindsey Stoner Mary Stoner Karen Strelecki Brian Sullivan Jennifer Taylor Sandy Weaver James Wiant Katie Wibell Kori Williams Brent Wolfe Dr. Dan Zant Kat Zielke
Circle of Love—Our Volunteers Our Circle of Love comprises the dedicated persons who have given their time, love and support—all priceless gifts.
Bill and Amy Millikan Joel and Bonnie Millikan Bruno Molinari Jim Montgomery Bo Moore Alicia Morris Daniel Nelms Walter Newman Garrett Nichols Philip and Marianne Norwood Ronald Pannell Johnny Phillips Andrea Phillips Shana Plott Walker and Anne Poole Nathan R. Rantala Scott Recknor Michael Reich Seth and Susan Reicher James Riggins Paul and Caroline Ross Ken and Ruth Samuelson Salus Property Investments
Jeffrey W. Sasser Ryan Sawyer Ann P. Shepherd Steve Sherrill Alan and Libby Simonini Mike Sluder Doug Smith Susan J. Snell Karolee and William Stauduhar Stones River Electric Rachel Strauss Ashley L. Sumrall Chad Swanson Mike Swink Leonard and Jill Taylor Joe Taylor Lisa Smith Ten Eyck J. J. Thrall Mary and John Tinkey Jeffrey Title Louise Tuck USA Today Florida Market Collin T. Wade
Leslie Weigel Mike and Chris Wiggins Brian H. Wildes Dan Williams John Wiseman Velva Woollen William Wu Will Yowell Marilyn Zilka Eric A. Zitron
Thank you to the Merancas Foundation for naming Camp Blue Skies as a three year grant recipient.
(L-R) John Phillips, Dick Sesler, Lucia Franzese, Debora Lehrer and Carolyn Tisch Sussman
Thank you to John Phillips and his Harvard Business School peers for choosing Camp Blue Skies as their focus for a Digital Marketing Class project last semester. Not only did we see a jump in interest on our facebook page, we have gained inval-uable insight into how best to use social media to our advantage now and in the future. Thank you to John, Carolyn, Lucia and Deborah!
Thank You to “4imprint one by one” for choosing Camp Blue Skies to be a grant recipient of $500, providing pedometers for all campers in Atlanta this spring. They were a great success!
Camp Blue Skies is putting the FUN into FUNdraising!
When you have to raise money to support a good cause, you might as well make it fun!
HOOPS FOR CAMP In March, Camp Blue Skies held the first annual March Madness NCAA “Hoops for Camp” Bracket Challenge. It was a very successful event, raising over $6,500 with close to 120 participants. Jim Buchanan has bragging rights for the year for being Camp Blue Skies 2012 “Hoops for Camp” Bracket Challenge winner. Jim was very generous and chose to donate his prize (a $500 value) back to Camp Blue Skies. Thank you Jim!
Get in on the Hoops action next year– you may have a chance to win a really cool prize and, more importantly, support Camp Blue Skies campers. Look for an email from Camp Blue Skies in early March to participate.
All you will have to do is make a small do-nation, go to CBS Sports and register with the Camp Blue Skies league, and pick your tournament NCAA teams.
HOOKED ON CAMP In September, Camp Blue Skies will host the first annual “Hooked on Camp” Fishing Tournament at the YMCA Camp Harrison in the North Carolina Brushy Mountains. The camp’s 140-acre private lake, Lake Broyhill, is full of Largemouth Bass and Bluegills waiting to be caught.
Ten experienced guides will serve each two-person team. The competition will be tough to see who claims trophies for the biggest fish, most fish caught, and of course,
the smallest fish. The event will begin on the evening of Thursday, September 13, when the fishermen and guides arrive at Camp Harrison. We will rise early on September 14
for breakfast and a safety/tournament over-view, and be on the lake fishing, or rather “catching,” for an 8 am shotgun start. This is sure to be a fun and rewarding event thanks to all the volunteers, guides, and fishermen who are taking time out of their busy schedules to support Camp Blue Skies!
Fishing at the Lake
Event Details
Space is limited to 20 fishermen. Cost is $1,000 per fisherman or $2,000 for a two-person team. Sponsorship opportunities are
also available – what a great way to support a worthy cause.
For more information, call 704-266-2267.
Visit our Website Access timely information by visiting our website: www.campblueskies.org. You can also receive our updates by providing your email address under "Subscribe" on our home page.
Find us on Facebook Like us on facebook: Camp Blue Skies for even more pictures and daily updates. See you online!
Want to feel the Camp
Blue Skies love every day?
Go online to access daily updates and news, interesting articles, pictures and more!
Lake Broyhill at Camp Harrison
Fun with Food!
Camp Blue Skies 1101 Queens Road West Charlotte, NC 28207
www.campblueskies.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
NON PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 1333934
CHARLOTTE, NC
UPCOMING DATES
FOR CAMP BLUE SKIES NORTH CAROLINA
Camp Harrison
Session 1 September 30-October 4, 2012
Session 2 October 7-11, 2012
ATLANTA Camp Twin Lakes
2013 Dates To Be Announced
CONTACT INFO
Camp Director Richard Sesler
Volunteer Director Mary Tinkey
Assistant Camp Director Rebecca Hilinski
Greetings from Camp Blue Skies — Atlanta!
