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Click on the topic to view the whole article: Making camp a priority for 38 years:· Wagon Train Rides Again for Camp Friendship:· Beacon Bank Contributes Day of Work:· Cub Scouts Enjoy Camp Friendship Amenities:· Seeing is
believing
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"... My two
summers at Eden Wood count as two of the happiest, hardest, most fulfilling and
memorable of my life...'' |
Snapshots of Friendship
It was a summer to remember! Friendship Ventures hosted 1,654 children, teens and adults at our sites to enjoy summer fun during camp or a respite weekend. Enrollment was up this year, thanks to the hard work of committed summer staff. Other factors include the renovated dormitory at Eden Wood Center, hosting an extra week of Camp Adventure for children with attention deficit disorders and the launch of camps for children and teens with Asperger’s. Bottom line: more participants than ever had a great time, gained skills and discovered new interests. Watch our slide show to see the fun. Making Camp a Priority for 38 Years
“I know he likes to go and he plans on it every year,” Arlene said. “As long as he likes it, I like to help him.” Although the trek to camp is, as Doug describes, “kind of a long way,” the Simars agree that it’s well worth the trip. “Camp has helped him to know how to interact with other people and spend time away from home,” Arlene said. For Doug, simply having the chance to swim, go on daytrips and enjoy a French Toast breakfast in the company of friends is enough to make the two-hour car ride worthwhile. Over the years Doug has made his share of camp friends, although as far as he can remember, none has attended Camp Friendship as long as he. The Simars have also witnessed many changes to the camp over the years. “I have been impressed with the new buildings,” Arlene said, noting the addition of the program center and the indoor swimming pool in which Doug enjoys his favorite activity. Over the last 38 years, Doug has grown up along with the camp, said Arlene, acknowledging that her son wasn’t always so sure about spending a full week away from home. “Once or twice he got pretty homesick and they called and then I had to go get him,” she said. But by now, it appears that Doug is nearly an expert in the summer camp experience, and he’s already anticipating his next visit to Camp Friendship. Asked what he will do next year, Doug stops to consider his options and replies, “Maybe go swimming.” Wagon Train Rides Again for Friendship Ventures
More than 80 riders participated in the Wagon Train by driving or riding in one of the 15 wagons or riding horseback. By seeking pledges from sponsors, riders contributed $8,000 toward program scholarships for Friendship Ventures participants. “It was great; that was triple what we raised last year,” noted Jeanie Folstrom. “It’s for such a good cause. “It’s a very family-oriented event,” Folstrom said. “It’s a great experience, especially for kids because they can learn a lot about horses and riding, and they learn how to help others.” One little girl, Breana Minenko, Isle, exemplified the spirit and enthusiasm of the event, according to Jeanie. “We had rain on Saturday,” Folstrom said, “It was a nasty day and some people didn’t want to ride in the rain. But Breana had a huge smile on her face from ear to ear, and she rode the whole day. We made a special award for her and named her the cowgirl of the year for New Ventures Wagon Train.” Thank you to everyone who made the New Ventures Wagon Train such a success: the many riders, sponsors, companies and community groups that gave donations, made and served meals or helped in other ways. “So many people helped to make the wagon train great,” Folstrom said. “Everyone was just fantastic, and they worked hard for the same goal – for all the people with disabilities that Friendship Ventures helps.” If you missed the event this year, mark your calendars for the 2008 New Ventures Wagon Train August 14-17. Time to Dance Again
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From left to right, Assistant Scout Master Chris Tuchtenhagen, and Cub Scouts CJ, Mack, Sean and Josh belay fellow Cub Scout Seth, not pictured, as he traverses a climb at Camp Friendship.
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The outing was planned by Pack 354 staff members as a way to give the younger scouts more exposure to camping and outdoor activities, something that used to be reserved for older scouts. Cub scouts ranged from first graders to fifth graders.
The ropes course and team building activities, all part of Friendship Ventures’ Team Quest programming, are available at Camp Friendship and Eden Wood Center for any interested groups: scouts, schools, church, corporate or civic groups. Contact Adam Baumgartner at 952-852-0101 to find out more.
Special thanks to these donors for their recent contributions to fund scholarships:
- Finish Line Youth Foundation, Indianapolis
- Coon Rapids Lions Club
- Caring Rivers United Way, Elk River
- DeZurik Water Controls, Sartell
- Margaret Rivers Fund, Stillwater
- Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, Bayport
- St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, Hudson, Wisc.
- Blue Rock Charitable Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation, Minneapolis
- Princeton Lions Club
Thanks to donors for their contributions for special projects:
- Shadywood Tree Experts, Minnetonka, for donation of tree removal services
- Valspar Foundation, Minneapolis, for an donation of paint
- The Maytag Store, Becker, for donation of a refrigerator
- Lyon-Lincoln Electric Trust, Tyler, for a donation to purchase medical equipment
We’re so grateful for your support!
You Can Help:
To give a gift to children and adults with disabilities, Click to access our secure, on-line giving site. Your support will make all the difference in the world.
Friendship Ventures is a non-profit agency that creates unique educational, recreational and social opportunities for people of all ages with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. We also offer conference and retreat services and professional team-building programs to the communities we serve. Friendship Ventures operates Camp Friendship near Annandale, MN, Eden Wood Center in Eden Prairie, MN and Camp New Hope near McGregor, MN.