Our Mission: To offer camps to adults with developmental disabilities, enhancing their lives through recreation, socialization and life skills education.
CampBlueSkies.org
SUMMER 2021
We’re ready for in-person camps and events — and Camp Blue Skies 3.0 Onward! That’s the direction Camp Blue Skies staff and Board of Directors are in. We’re focused on returning to in-person camps, hosting fundraising events, and figuring out how we can serve more adults with developmental disabilities in the future. A quick note about changes in how we’ll be sharing news. Expect to see an update in your inbox every 6 to 8 weeks. Also, the donor recognition section moves to our February publication, which will serve as an annual review. The August publication will focus more on what’s coming up at our camps. In-person camps While virtual camps and activities were fun and filled a significant need to connect, we are ready to see campers, parents/caregivers, volunteers, and our supporters in person. Be prepared for loads of smiles, fun, and elbow bumps! First, our North Carolina sessions will be on Oct. 2-6 and Oct. 9-13 at YMCA Camp Harrison. Both camps are full, and we’re looking for veteran
volunteers or new volunteers recommended by parents/caregivers or volunteers. Our Weekend Camp returns Dec. 10-12 at YMCA Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, SC (just over the South Carolina border). Applications will open on Oct. 8. Watch your inboxes, our website, and social media for details. In early 2022, we’ll return to Camp Twin Lakes near Atlanta. The Williams Syndrome session is March 7-11, and the Georgia session is March 14-18. Fundraisers Just like our camps, we’ve missed our in-person fundraising events. Besides supporting our camps, events help raise awareness of what Camp Blue Skies offers to adults with developmental disabilities. Plus, we get to see members of our camp “family.” Check out pages 4-5 for details on the three big events coming up. The future The Board of Directors and staff are
CampBlueSkies.org
focused on what we’re calling Camp Blue Skies 3.0 and considering ways to serve more adults with developmental disabilities. The Board of Directors met in April at the Anne Close Springs Greenway, an incredible resource in the Charlotte area. Suzanne Elliott of Envision Consulting, who we have worked with to develop a leadership plan and expand our board, is helping us sort through the options and set our priorities. Got an idea or suggestion about Camp Blue Skies 3.0? Please email me: Dick@CampBlueSkies.org. We’d love to hear what you think!
Dick Sesler, Founder
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: THE GRISWOLDS “The experience we had making friends, helping, and learning from the staff and campers was like nothing we would have ever imagined.”
Jen and Jon Griswold of Rock Hill learned about volunteer opportunities during a work day at Domtar about seven years ago. Domtar is a Camp Partner of our NC sessions. “We have always appreciated assisting others so we thought why not and went as a one day volunteer,” said Jon. “The experience we had making friends, helping, and learning from the staff and campers was like nothing we would have ever imagined.”
The next year, they took two vacation days and stayed for three days of camp. “It was still not enough,” Jen said. “At that moment we decided to use whatever time needed, and we will volunteer for the entire week going forward.” The Griswolds also had a camp shrine at their desks at work. When they started working from home, they recreated it at home. We can’t wait to see them and the other Domtar volunteers in October! Here’s what they had to say about their Camp Blue Skies experience: What's your favorite part of volunteering? Being with the friends we have made and meeting new friends. And of course ropes course for Jon and the dance party for Jen. How has volunteering affected your life outside of camp? We like to stop at times when needed and instant-message each other “It’s cabin time” to remind us to step away and take a moment to reflect on life’s true priorities. Volunteering has also assisted in our ability to interact with family, friends and coworkers on a more personal level as it increased
our self-confidence. When we think of our time with Blue Skies we feel less stressed and less likely to be upset by things around us. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about volunteering? Like with anything in life do not expect to be the best to start, but the more experience you gain over time the easier things are for you as you get more comfortable. I believe everyone should give volunteering a try as the wonderful campers, staff and other volunteers will ensure you fall in love with the beauty that is Camp Blue Skies. You will enrich your life on many levels by interacting with these wonderful people and the calming effect will last long after camp is over. Anything you want to add? Few things in life are as rewarding as the experiences we have had with Camp Blue Skies. We are eager to be able to attend the October Camp and see our friends and Blue Skies family again. There is nothing that compares to Blue Skies and we are hooked for life!
Circle of L ve - Our Volunteers
Special thanks to the volunteers who helped make Fall and Spring Virtual Camp possible by donating their time and talents: BOTH SESSIONS Casey Carver Russ Case Michael Coulter Scott Fletcher Haley Grayson Jen Griswold Jon Griswold Carrie Guerrette Becky Harris Jennifer Lewis Shannon Maxwell Debby Rea Doug Sheffield Dan Sturzenbecker FALL 2020 SESSION Keri Barrientos Jon Beall 2
Claire Bingham Steven Bost Caroline Buckley Bryan Chambers Christen DiLeonardo Nick Doris Ann Elrod Jennifer Elrod Amy Firth Andy Kane John Lenhart Mary Jo Lenhart Perrette Julie Mata Amanda Myers Robin Peck Sarah Peterson Liz Rumbaugh Kay Valaoras Brandyn Wilcox
SPRING 2021 SESSION Jasmine Alexander Maryse Azer Anav Chug Kaylee Clay Aleigha Daniels Francis Desiderio Darley Desormo Kristin Dew Annalise Fennell Kayleigh Heard Elizabeth Johnson Alaina Knapp Lauren Kress Andrew Lewis Cheryl Mimy Terry Monkaba Seema Patel Jordan Sanchez
In Fall 2020, Casey Carver and his family made a sign to show their love for Camp Blue Skies.
Lynaeshia Seay Whittier Watts Tiffany Wells Jessica Zumbach
VIRTUAL CAMP SPRING 2021 RECAP For our Virtual Camp in March, the team decided the sky was the limit! Over 90 campers and 20 volunteers attended the March 12-15 camp. (By the way, 90 campers is an attendance record.) Special thanks to Elevation Outreach and Elevation Church for donating supplies and the Domino's gift cards and for packing the camper boxes.
PROGRAMMERS Thanks for sharing your time, talents, and expertise with our campers during our virtual session.
Musician Justin Biltonen, bassist for 3 Doors Down Sugar Creek band: Karen Breth, Tom Cox, Millie Cox, and Betsey Sesler TDK band: Teri Bucholtz, Dave Hardman, and Katie Stuart Camp Harrison staff: Director Michael Landry, Allison West, Cole Wright, Laura Cornett, Raven Lowe, and Avery Williams
Camp Twin Lakes staff: Director Dan Matthews, Katie Buffington, (Farmer) Nathan Fussel, Chris Willingham, Maze the dog, and the goat Georgia Southern students Whit Watts and Kristin Dew Michael Stellman, Virtual Magician RyzAb0ve Fitness: Coaches Ryan Bost and Cheryl Mimy
Rachel LoCurto of Exceptional Yoga Scott Middleton of The Rhythmic Arts Project of Asheville Pets Together virtual pet therapy group DJ Ceasefire Andy Kane, Nature Walk Liam Barr, Nature Walk Nick Doris, Yoga/deep stretch
WEEKEND CAMP RETURNS Weekend Camp is scheduled Dec. 10-12 (Friday-Sunday) at YMCA Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, SC (just over the South Carolina border)!
Applications will open Oct. 8 at 9 a.m. (Eastern). Volunteers can sign up anytime. Watch your inboxes, our website, and social media for details. Get more info at CampBlueSkies.org/weekend. 3
Do you know about these ways to contribute to Camp Blue Skies?
Credit card/ Check/Wire:
Stock/Publicly Traded Securities: Leverage tax
Recurring Gifts:
Planned Giving:
Make a contribution online, send a check or set up a wire transfer
benefits by gifting appreciated stock which we will liquidate upon receipt
Donate online and choose to give annually, semiannually, quarterly or monthly
Consider naming Camp Blue Skies in your estate planning
For questions or more information, please contact Amy Millikan: Amy@CampBlueSkies.org or 704-266-2267
Get hooked on our fishing derby fundraiser
Cornhole competition moves to new spot Loosen up those throwing arms! The Cornhole For Camp fundraiser is scheduled for Nov. 6 (Saturday, rain or shine) at Heist Brewery in Charlotte’s Camp North End neighborhood. The cornhole tourney features a long-toss contest, a quick-toss contest, raffle, and music. There will be prizes, a pop-up Camp Blue Skies store, and much more! Check-in is at noon and play starts at 1 p.m. Cost: $100 team; $50 individual. The event is family-friendly. Heist Brewery near Camp North End is at 1030 Woodward Ave., Charlotte, NC, 28206.
Interested in competing, volunteering or being on the planning committee? Contact Mary@CampBlueSkies.org.
Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Amy@CampBlueSkies.org.
Grab your fishing gear and head to the Hooked On Camp Fishing Derby fundraiser on Sept. 9-10 (Thursday-Friday, rain or shine). You can spend four hours Friday morning casting lines on Lake Broyhill, a pristine 140-acre lake teeming with largemouth bass and bream, at YMCA Camp Harrison (our NC camp site) in Boomer. Derby participants have the option to arrive Thursday evening for dinner and stay in a cabin at Camp Harrison. The tournament kicks off Friday with breakfast, an event overview, and a shotgun start at 8 a.m. After fishing Friday morning, enjoy a lakeside lunch where prizes will be awarded, including the team catching most fish and individuals catching largest or smallest fish. Cost is $2,000 team/$1,000 individual (limited to 20 participants). Experienced guides donate their time, boats, gas, and tackle. Interested in fishing? Contact Mary@CampBlueSkies.org. Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Amy@CampBlueSkies.org. 4
Donate your car to support our camps In February, Pat Murphy, a veteran volunteer, sent an email about a possible donation: “I have a car that I was considering donating to CBS. Do you take cars as donations?”
Blue Skies Bash is back in early 2022 The second Blue Skies Bash Friends- and Fund-Raiser is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 11, at the Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing Co., in Charlotte’s South End.
The answer is “yes, we do,” thanks to Pat and the Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS) program. Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat to Camp Blue Skies Foundation by completing a form on CARS’ website. A CARS representative will arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation at no cost to you. The donation may qualify for a tax deduction.
Interested? Contact Amy@CampBlueSkies.org or visit CampBlueSkies.org/car for more info on the process.
It’s a fun evening socializing with friends, enjoying good food & beer/wine, listening to music, and bidding in the silent auction. The first Blue Skies Bash in 2019 served as a way to introduce Camp Blue Skies to more family and friends in the Charlotte area.
Interested in being on the Host Committee? Contact Mary@CampBlueSkies.org.
Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Amy@CampBlueSkies.org.
More campers lace up for “steps” fundraiser Thanks to everyone who participated in and generously supported our second Steps For Camp fundraiser May 15-22. We are excited that we had more campers participate. Three campers placed in the Top 4 Walkers category. The kick-off event on May 15 at Park Road Park in Charlotte was a blast! It was nice being together for our first in-person event this year. During the fundraiser, participants took a total of 1,659,382 steps and made an entire loop around all of our camp locations.
Top 4 Walkers 1st: Rebekah Russ 2nd: Robin Callaway 3rd: Holly Scheppegrell 4th: Sarah Hibbits Top 4 Teams 1st: Camp Blue Skies Campers 2nd: Camp Blue Skies 3rd: Troubleafoot! 4th: Team Millikan Special SHOUT OUT to Jillian Bockenek for being our TOP fundraiser and recruiting over 16 supporters.
Thanks to TowneBank for being a Friends Of Camp event sponsor.
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2820 Selwyn Ave., Box 767 Charlotte, NC 28209 CampBlueSkies.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Find details on CampBlueSkies.org
Hooked On Camp Fishing Derby Fundraiser Sept. 9-10 Lake Broyhill, YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer, NC
Blue Skies Bash Friend- & Fund-raiser Feb. 11 Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing Co., South End, Charlotte
North Carolina Camps Session 1: Oct. 2-6
Williams Syndrome Camp March 7-11
(Volunteer training: Oct. 1)
(Volunteer training: March 6)
Session 2: Oct. 9-13
Applications open: TBA
(Volunteer training: Oct. 8) YMCA Camp Harrison, Boomer Cornhole For Camp Fundraiser Nov. 6, noon-4 pm Heist Brewery near Camp North End, Charlotte Weekend Camp Dec. 10-12
(Volunteer training: Dec. 10) YMCA Camp Thunderbird, Lake Wylie, SC
Applications open: Oct. 8
Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge
Hoops For Camp Fundraiser March 13 Online Georgia Camp March 14-18
(Volunteer training: March 13) Camp Twin Lakes, Rutledge
Applications open: TBA
CONTACT INFO 704-266-2267 | CampBlueSkies.org Contact@CampBlueSkies.org Facebook.com/CampBlueSkiesUSA Twitter.com/CampBlueSkies Instagram.com/CampBlueSkies