Texas Lions Camp gears up for fun<\/p>\n
Staff, Staff<\/p>\n
03-06-2009<\/p>\n
While the Lions Club\u2019s programs are usually local organizations and
\ncommunity members speaking on behalf of a cause, this week\u2019s speaker
\nwas not only well known to his fellow club members, but his topic was
\nsomething several in the group are well acquainted with.<\/p>\n
Club member Jerry Smith briefly introduced his subject, Texas Lions
\nCamp, before letting the service organization watch a video on the
\ncamp for physically disabled children.<\/p>\n
Located in Kerrville, Texas, Lions Camp is a place where kids from
\n7-16 years of age with special physical needs can go for a week during
\nthe summer to have fun and learn that they are not alone in this
\nworld.<\/p>\n
With testimonials from Lions Club members volunteering at the camp,
\ncamp leaders and campers themselves, the video explained that
\neverybody is made to feel equal and whole. The children don\u2019t even
\nrealize they are being educated during the day through fun activities.
\nOne mother of a camper said the children are with people who are just
\nlike them and they can feel like a normal kid.<\/p>\n
Texas Lions Camp is a place where kids can canoe, ride zip lines, go
\nhorseback riding or do other events for the very first time that they
\nmay have thought wasn\u2019t possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout that camp, those kids wouldn\u2019t have the confidence that
\nthey do,\u201d Smith said of the camp, which is entering its 60th year of
\noperation.<\/p>\n
Examples of kids with a primary physical disability which qualifies
\nthem for camp include (but are not limited to) amputee, asthma,
\nblind\/vision impaired, burns, cancer\/tumor, cerebral palsy,
\ndeaf\/hearing impaired, epilepsy, lupus, muscular dystrophy, partial
\nparalysis and scoliosis. Kids from 8 to 15 years of age with Type 1,
\n(insulin dependent) Diabetes are also eligible.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s camp\u2019s first of five one-week sessions starts, May
\n31. When you read this, and think you may qualify, please speak with
\nyour family about going, as it will be great fun. Many applications
\nare coming in, so sign up soon to get your choice of weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the things that attracted me to Lionism is seeing how
\nexcited (Jerry Smith) was about Lions Camp,\u201d said member Brandi
\nAnthony. <\/p>\n
In 1949, during the era of the polio epidemic when this crippling
\ndisease had taken a toll on many Americans, especially children, Jack
\nWiech founded the special Lions Camp at Kerrville out of his
\nheart-felt belief that \u201cevery child had the right to a happy
\nchildhood, no matter their inabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wiech carved out that special place of wonderment, deep down in the
\nhill country, where memories are made, and dreams are fulfilled,
\nstarting first with only a few hundred children. The camp has expanded
\nin size and amenities over the years, and currently offers numerous
\ncamp activities, staff, housing, food, medical assistance and
\ncounselors for more than 1,500 youngsters who attend each summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese children are handicapped in various ways through no fault of
\ntheir own,\u201d Smith said. \u201cAnd this is a wonderful place for them to
\ngo and experience new challenges and retain life-long memories.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren come from all over Texas to enjoy a magical, fun-filled
\nweek of swimming, horseback riding, canoeing, overnight camping under
\nthe stars, and many other adventures in a safe environment under the
\ncare and watchful eyes of trained camp counselors and staff. They are
\nable to share experiences with other children with similar
\nbackgrounds. These experiences offer each child a chance to gain
\nself-confidence, interact and make new friends, and most of all, to
\nhave a lot of fun experiencing memorable adventures. The week\u2019s
\nactivities conclude with a heart-warming award ceremony where
\n\u2018everyone\u2019 is an award winner. Most of all, they take home
\nfriendships and memories to last a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n
2009 Summer Schedule:<\/p>\n
Every child attends free, with no charge to their families. All costs
\nare provided by Lions of Texas.<\/p>\n
Time is running out for the best dates for placement at the Lions
\nCamp. Lions Club members are reaching out to the communities, school
\nteachers, school nurses, pediatricians and other physicians,
\naudiologists, rehabilitation centers, churches, PTA, PTO and any other
\ngroups associated with children.<\/p>\n
Applicants must be identified, and an application completed by family
\nand physician, and then mailed to the camp soon for inclusion in this
\nsummer\u2019s events. If the camper\u2019s application is approved, Lions
\nClubs arrange for free transportation to and from the camp. <\/p>\n
For more information about the camp or to get a complete list of the
\ndiseases that qualify a child, call Texas Lions Camp at
\n1-830-896-8500. <\/p>\n
Applications may be obtained from the Lions Camp by phone or you may
\ncontact Lion Jerry Smith at 972-878-5235.<\/p>\n
Source: <\/p>\n