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Summer Memories Especially Bright:·
Sundby Sisters Enjoy Camp Together:·
John Warner: Bringing a Lifetime of Experience to New Positions:·
New Program Manager at Eden Wood Center:·
2007 Program Information on Website:·
Thanks to Donors:·
Snapshot Archive:·
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"... My two
summers at Eden Wood count as two of the happiest, hardest, most fulfilling and
memorable of my life...''
~Past Staff Member
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Snapshots of Friendship
A monthly news update from Camp Friendship, Camp New Hope & Eden Wood Center
September Features
Snapshots From Summer Camp
Greetings from camp. Above is a collection of photos from this summer at Camp Friendship, near Annandale; Eden Wood Center, Eden Prairie; and Camp New Hope, near McGregor. (Click NEXT to view more pictures. BACK will return you to the previous picture.)
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Summer Memories Especially Bright
Summer 2006 was very memorable for Friendship Ventures, with 1,390 children, teens, men and women attending camp at one of our sites. In addition, 210 people spent a weekend at a respite care program, sometimes coupled with a week or more of camp. We also supported another 464 travel vacationers, referring them for summer trips with Ventures Travel LLC.
Credit for such a successful summer is due to super seasonal staff. According to Georgann Rumsey, president and CEO of Friendship Ventures, this was a most remarkable group of young people. “They demonstrated patience, shared their unique personalities and truly gave the gift of unconditional friendship to each participant,” she noted.
Participants also benefited from the generosity of community members who hosted special events at our sites. Following are some of the guests who shared their special talents, hobbies and skills with participants throughout the summer:
- The U.S. Navy rock band “Horizon,” from Great Lakes, Ill. performed at Camp Friendship in July to support Twin Cities Navy Week 2006.
- Black belt masters from National Karate showed karate moves and taught karate jargon.
- Minor league baseball also stepped up to the plate. St. Cloud Riverbats players taught baseball skills to participants at Camp Friendship, who went to that night’s Riverbats game to cheer on their new friends. Players from the St. Paul Saints spent several hours with participants at Eden Wood Center and Brainerd Blue Thunder team members shared skills with participants at Camp New Hope.
- Jan Larson of the Minnesota Herpetological Society brought reptiles to share at the “Reptile Club” special session.
- Curt Eich, a naturalist with Wright County Parks and Recreation, shared advanced fishing techniques in the “Hook, Line and Sinker” special session.
- Students at the St. Cloud School of Dance performed dance and gymnastics routines.
- Bob Warner, brother of Friendship Ventures staff member John Warner, played the accordion for participants.
- The Minnesota Judys, a Sweet Adelines quartet, sang favorites.
- Eric Phommavongxay, a high school yo-yo player entertained with amazing yo-yo tricks.
- Staff of the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge conducted nature programs and hosted a fishing lesson for members of the “Fishing Spectacular” special session.
- The McGregor Fire Department brought fire trucks to show and teach fire safety.
- The County Seat Theater Company conducted a workshop and staged a theater performance.
- A group of children from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Community Center performed a traditional dance and drum circle.
Thanks to all these groups for their generosity in helping to make super summer memories for our participants.
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Sundby Sisters Enjoy Camp Together
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Maggie and Annie Sundby met up for a hug during summer camp.
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One of the benefits of summer camp is getting away – away from the daily routine, familiar faces and surroundings. For Maggie Sundby 12, it has also been a way to get closer to her family.
Maggie, who lives with Down syndrome, is the youngest child of Barb and Jim Sundby, Wadena. Maggie came to Camp Friendship for the second time this summer and spent the last week of July swimming, boating, singing and dancing. Better yet, she had the chance to spend time with older sister Annie, who worked on the healthcare staff for the second consecutive summer.
Barb and Jim attest to how Camp Friendship has not only encouraged their daughters’ deeper relationship, but also has opened their other children’s minds and hearts. Their son Jamie worked at Camp Friendship the summer of 2000, and still benefits from the lifetime lessons he received as a counselor.
“It has been an inspiration for Annie and Jamie to better understand the needs of their sister. Their lives have become more purpose-driven,” Barb said. Annie agrees that the camp provides many life-changing lessons. “Everyone is different and you learn how to accept everyone with their differences,” she said.
Annie enjoyed seeing her sister have new experiences at camp. “She has done a lot more activities than at home and she has gotten to hang out with people her age. She’s had a lot of fun with the other girls,” Annie said.
“She comes home and tells stories about how much fun she had,” Barb said, to which Jim quickly added, “Yeah. For the next year.”
The Sundby parents truly appreciate the experiences that Camp Friendship has brought to their children. For their family, camp is not a way to get away from one another, but rather a way to get closer.
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John Warner: Bringing a Lifetime of Experience to New Position
 He may be the newest employee on staff, but John Warner is one of the most experienced. With a brother who has developmental disabilities and more than 50 years working with individuals who have developmental disabilities, John has joined the Friendship Ventures fund raising team as development specialist.
In 1969 John and his father began Warner Care Homes in Cokato, which grew to comprise 32 group homes. John and his wife Marlis Warner, Friendship Ventures director of health care, had a group home in their home for years. John also brings experience in sales and a love of socializing to his position, which entails working with donor groups like Lions Clubs, Women of Today, Knights of Columbus VFW clubs and others.
After being retired less than a year, John decided to rejoin the workforce with Friendship Ventures. “I was going crazy,” he said, “but I love this; working with people who have disabilities is something I’ve always been involved in.”
If your civic group is interested in getting more involved with Friendship Ventures, give John a call at 952-852-0101. Welcome John!
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New Program Manager at Eden Wood Center
 Friendship Ventures has hired Melissa Kuisle as program manager, responsible for Summer Camp, Respite Care and Sojourns programs at Eden Wood Center, and Winter Camp at Camp Friendship along with program manager Kristen Olson.
Melissa has worked at Eden Wood Center for two summers, as village leader in 2005 and seasonal program manager in 2006. Originally from Rochester, Melissa credits her Uncle Jim, who has cerebral palsy, for interesting her in working with those with disabilities. “I was around him as I grew up,” Melissa said. “I hung out with him a lot and learned how to take care of him at a young age."
Melissa graduated from St. Olaf College in 2006 with a degree in biology. Her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and serve those with disabilities through health care. She was motivated by seeing her uncle in the hospital. “He was not always treated the way I’d like to see him treated,” she said. “That’s why I love this organization and the way we treat participants – like the first class citizens they are.” We welcome Melissa.
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2007 Program Information on Website
Check out what’s in store for next year! The 2006/2007 Winter Camp brochure and schedule is now available on the website. The 2007 Creative Options Respite Care weekend schedule is also listed on the website. Click on links above, or review these programs at www.friendshipventures.org.
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Thanks to Donors
Special thanks to these donors for their recent contributions to fund scholarships:
- Sexton Foundation, St. Cloud
- Clearwater Lions Club
- Gannett Foundation, as recommended by KARE-11 TV, Golden Valley
- Autism Society of Minnesota, who gave a Steps of Hope Support grant
Thanks also to:
- Creative Memories, St. Cloud, for the in-kind donation of memory chests and pens
- McGregor Lions Club for new roofs at Camp New Hope
- Famous Dave’s Catering, for the in-kind donation of catering for the seasonal staff recognition dinner
We’re so grateful for your support!
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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.
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