Dear Camp Tatiyee Supporters, Families, and Community, The 2024 summer season is finally behind us and we are filled with immense gratitude and joy. We are delighted to have served over 400 campers from across Arizona, providing them with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories. Our campers have embraced new challenges, made lasting friendships, and found joy in every moment. In this newsletter, you’ll meet Carsten, a teenager who discovered newfound confidence and trust through our camp's inclusive activities. From archery to the talent show, Carsten's journey is a testament to the transformative power of our supportive community. You’ll also read about our thrilling new Go-Kart program, where campers race around our dirt track, experiencing the exhilaration of speed in a safe and supportive environment. This program has quickly become a favorite, bringing smiles and excitement to all who participate. Special thanks to Fiesta Bowl Charities for their generous grant, which enabled us to introduce the off-road go-karts. Their visionary support is making a profound impact on our campers' lives, allowing them to experience activities that were previously out of reach. As we reflect on this incredible summer, we invite you to continue supporting our mission. Your donations are vital to keeping our programs running and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience the magic of Lions Camp Tatiyee. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our campers. We are deeply thankful to all the families who entrusted us with their children, the Lions of Arizona for their steadfast support, and all our donors and supporters. Your generosity ensures that we can offer these life-changing experiences at no cost to the families. Thank you for being an integral part of our Lions Camp Tatiyee family. Your support and belief in our mission make all of this possible. Yours in camping, Pam Swanson Executive Director carsten's camp experienceCarsten is a teenager who just wants to do normal teen stuff, but it always felt so far away to him. So when he arrived at Lions Camp Tatiyee, he felt skeptical. He didn’t think most of the camp activities would be for him. But as the week progressed, Carsten’s world expanded in ways he never imagined. From archery to the talent show to fascinating science experiments, he was blown away by all the new experiences. For a guy who didn’t trust people telling him to stay positive or that he could do something, Carsten was in for a big surprise. The highlight of Carsten’s week? The mudpit! At first, he thought there was no way he’d be able to join in. The rough ground and the giant pit of watery mud seemed impossible to navigate with his wheelchair. But his favorite counselor, Angelica, had other plans. Determined to help him experience everything camp had to offer, she and another staff member lifted him to the edge of the pit. Carsten spent over an hour getting gloriously messy, laughing and just being a kid. This experience was a game-changer for Carsten. It wasn’t just about the fun of getting covered in mud—it was about proving to himself that he could do it and learning to trust his counselors and friends. He found that being a little more positive could push him to do things he never would have tried before. It was a big moment for him. Carsten’s week at Lions Camp Tatiyee was all about breaking barriers and building trust. He discovered that he could try new things and trust the people around him to help him succeed. By the end of the week, Carsten had gained a new sense of confidence and self-esteem. His journey is a perfect example of how camp can change lives, showing that with a little support and a lot of encouragement, anything is possible. new go-kart racing programWe are thrilled to introduce the brand new Go-Kart program at Lions Camp Tatiyee! This exciting addition allows campers to race around our dirt track in go-karts, providing an exhilarating experience that they would likely never be able to do anywhere else. The Go-Kart program is a unique and exhilarating activity that lets our campers feel the thrill of racing. As they zoom around the track, the wind in their hair and the adrenaline pumping, they get to experience the joy of speed and competition in a safe and supportive environment. For many, this is the first time they've ever had the chance to drive a go-kart, and the excitement is palpable. Our go-kart program is designed to be accessible for all campers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities or medical conditions, can participate and enjoy the ride. The smiles and laughter we see as campers navigate the twists and turns of the track are simply fantastic. This program not only provides fun and excitement but also helps build confidence and a sense of achievement as campers conquer the course. Thank you to all our wonderful campers for your bravery and enthusiasm in trying new things like go-kart racing, you inspire us all! Seeing you embrace these exciting opportunities and enjoy every moment makes Lions Camp Tatiyee a truly special place. We are honored to be part of your incredible journey and look forward to more amazing adventures together. thank you fiesta bowl charitiesLions Camp Tatiyee is thrilled to recognize Fiesta Bowl Charities for their generous grant of $25,000, which has enabled us to launch an exciting new program featuring off-road go-karts. This innovative addition will provide our campers with a unique and exhilarating experience, racing on a dirt track in the backwoods area of our camp. Fiesta Bowl Charities' investment is a testament to their commitment to making highly unconventional and previously inaccessible activities available to the special needs community. By supporting this program, they are helping us break new ground in providing inclusive and adventurous opportunities for our campers. This initiative is both brave and bold, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to enhancing the camp experience for children with special needs. The introduction of off-road go-karts not only adds a thrilling new dimension to our camp activities but also promotes confidence, independence, and joy among our campers. This program aligns perfectly with our mission to offer cutting-edge experiences that challenge and empower our campers in a safe and supportive environment. We are deeply thankful to Fiesta Bowl Charities for their visionary support and for helping us bring this exciting new program to life. Their generosity ensures that our campers can enjoy the thrill of go-kart racing, an activity that many would not have the opportunity to experience otherwise. Thank you, Fiesta Bowl Charities, for your bold investment in our camp and for helping us continue to provide life-changing experiences for children with special needs. tell us your thoughts about campYour support means the world to us, and we want to make sure we’re meeting your expectations and interests. That’s why we’re inviting you to fill out a brief survey to share your thoughts and feedback about Lions Camp Tatiyee. Your input is incredibly valuable and helps us understand how you feel about the impact our camp makes on the lives of special needs children across Arizona. This is your chance to share your voice and let us know how we can continue to improve and make a difference. The survey also gives you the opportunity to tell us if you’d like to get more involved with the camp. Whether it's through volunteering, spreading the word, or any other way, we would love to hear from you! Please take a few moments to complete the survey by clicking the link below.
Your feedback helps us create the best possible experience for our campers and ensure that we’re aligned with the interests and passions of our amazing supporters. Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of the Lions Camp Tatiyee family. We appreciate you and look forward to hearing from you! Comments are closed.
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