December Mini-Camp has Begun!

December Mini-Camp is off to a great start!  We were excited to check in and get settled. 

 We went on a Christmas hayride.

Then we danced the night away and had fun hanging out together!  

Everyone headed to the cabins to snuggle in for the night.  We needed a good night's sleep to be ready for all the fun we have planned today!  Coming up we have hiking, arts and crafts, playing in the bounce house, and more!

Tonight will also be busy so stay tuned for more pictures and updates!  There are more pictures up at www.facebook.com/catholiccharitiescias ! Check them out!

4th Annual Flag Football Tournament

Camp I Am Special's 4th Annual Flag Football Tournament is quickly approaching!  This year's tournament will be held on January 3rd, 2015 (is it really almost 2015!?!) at the Assumption School Fields from 8:30am-3:00pm.  Check in and registration begins at 8:00am.

This tournament began 4 years ago.  It was started by some of our camp Buddies as a way to raise scholarship funds for our Campers.  Each year the tournament has grown.  Last year we had nearly 100 players and raised over $2000.  This year we are looking to beat both of those numbers!

Our tournament this year will be open to Buddies, Camp Leaders, friends of camp, and our Campers!  All players must be at least 13 years old to play.  All players must turn in their sign-up form and a signed waiver to be eligible to play.  You can find the forms on our website.  The deadline to sign up and receive a tournament t-shirt is Friday December 19th.  That is less than 2 weeks away, so don't delay!  If you miss that sign up date, you can still play, but you will not receive a t-shirt.

Cost to participate in the tournament is $25.  This includes a shirt (if you sign up before December 19th!) and a voucher for lunch.  Remember, all funds raised will go towards Camper scholarships!

Lunch will be provided by the Gourmet Aviators food truck.  Remember them from this summer?  You will be able to choose between chicken fingers or a grilled PB&J sandwich.  You lunch voucher will cover one meal, but if you want to eat more, bring some cash and you can purchase extras.  Camp will receive a percentage of the profits made from food truck sales that day, so come hungry!

Even if you are not playing, come out to cheer on your friends!  Bring the family to watch you play!  There will be a few sideline games available to play between games.  We will also have a bake sale and will have items leftover from our camp store this summer for sale.  And of course, you can enjoy a yummy lunch from Gourmet Aviators and help camp raise even more money through the profits!  The average cost per meal is about $6-$7.  If you can't come out and support us that day, consider being a tournament sponsor!  Call the camp office for more information:  (904) 230-7447

This event is a yet another great way that our Buddies give back to our Campers and their families.  Please come out and support the event!  Help us make it the most successful event yet!

Spread the word and tell your friends!

Feeling Thankful

Things are busy and crazy as usual here in the Camp Office.  We have had a lot of meetings lately, we just had another Super Saturday, we are busy getting things ready for December Mini-Camp in a few short weeks, as well as simultaneously making plans for our best summer yet and more!  But we are never too busy to stop and give thanks for some of the many things we are thankful for here.  Here are 10 things we are thankful for each day:

1. Our Campers

They are the entire reason we are here.  I am thankful for each and every one of them and the joy they bring to our program.  Every minute of planning and every meeting becomes worth it when you see their joy and happiness.  Our Campers are the heart of this program and I am thankful that they enjoy our program and want to come back year after year.  I am also thankful for their parents and caregivers who are willing to share them with us for a week and trust us to keep them safe and happy.  

 2. Our Buddies 

Our Buddies range in age from 14 to about 20.  They are all in high school or the beginning of college.  They give up a week (sometimes more) of their summer to fully commit to providing companionship and care for one of our Campers.  I love watching the bond that forms between our Buddies and our Campers in a short week.  It is truly an amazing thing to see (I wrote more about this over the summer.)  This group of teenagers is inspiring and generous and kind.  I feel confident in the future when I look at these amazing young men and women and what they are capable of doing.  I am thankful that year after year hundreds of teenagers are willing to come be a Buddy at camp.

3. Our Incredible Staff

Oh, words cannot express how much love and gratitude I feel for our incredible Camp Leaders (formerly known as Group Leaders).  These young adults are some of the most giving, caring, loving, enthusiastic, energetic, intelligent, strong, compassionate, creative, hard-working individuals I have ever met.  Their job is not an easy one.  The hours are long.  The job is not glamorous.  They spend about as much time with a mop and bleach as they do with running activities and playing with Campers.  But they wake up every morning with a smile on their faces and a determination to make every day the best day ever for our Campers.  They also make me laugh every day which is definitely a plus!  I am so thankful that such a talented group of young adults choose to spend their summer with us. 

4. Our Volunteers

Our Buddies and Camp Leaders take care of most of the minute-to-minute care of our Campers, but they can't do it alone.  Our team of wonderful volunteers provide nursing care and delicious meals.  They also help lend an extra hand in keeping our schedule moving and providing support to our staff and Buddies.  Our nurses are often up before anyone else, prepping for the morning med pass.  They patch up any scraped knees that happen throughout the day and they provide all of the care and treatment that our Campers need.  They also tend to our Buddies and staff as well.  It's a busy week for them and we are beyond thankful that they keep us all healthy and safe and provide the care needed for many of our Campers to be able to even come to camp.  The kitchen staff is DEFINITELY up before anyone else, frying up the bacon and chopping up fruit for breakfast.  They accommodate for food allergies and sensitivities and a wide variety of special meals.  We couldn't do what we do without the help of all of our wonderful volunteers.

5. Our Campsite

I am so thankful for our camp grounds.  Yes, the buildings are rustic.  Yes, I dream about winning the lottery and expanding our facilities and giving the place a little face lift.  But, I still have a huge smile on my face every time I drive down the long winding road to our office.  The property is stunning.  It's peaceful and quiet and beautiful.  We have access to a gorgeous dock that we can fish from and relax on.  We get to swim twice a day.  There are huge, old oak trees that provide shade and a little respite from the oppressive Florida heat.  I would not be at all surprised if this is what heaven looks like. 

6. Our New Office Building

As wonderful as our campsite is, I am very thankful that we are in the process of expanding.  We are planning a post soon to update you on the progress of our new office building, but for now, let me just say how thankful I am that we have some visible progress on the building and how thankful I am for everyone who has played a role in making this a reality.

7. Our Development Team

As I've said a few times already, making camp happen each year is a team effort.  I've mentioned our volunteers and staff, but we couldn't do what we do without the development team at Catholic Charities who supports this program.  They support our fundraising efforts and our plans for the program.  Their support enables this program to continue year after year.

8. Our Supporters

Camp has grown so much over the last 30-plus years, and that couldn't have been done without generous support.  So many people rally behind us and help us to reach our fundraising goals and help provide scholarships for our Campers, and for that, we are extremely grateful.  

9. Our Vendors

Most of our camp activities are run by our Camp Leaders, but we do bring in some vendors each summer.  Some have been with us for many years.  Some are newer.  But we love them all and are thankful for the joy they bring to our Campers.  From the hay rides and petting zoo to the theater performance to our DJs, they all add something special to our weeks.

10. Our Mission

I am truly thankful to work for this organization.  Camp has had a special place in my heart for more than half of my life.  I love being able to be part of making it happen now.  I am thankful to have a job that I love!



We are always thankful for these things, but it is nice this time of year to take some time to reflect on them.  We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

What are you thankful for this year? 

Buddy Walk 2014

Last weekend, Rebecca and I attended the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville's Buddy Walk with a team of camp friends and supporters.  It was a great event!  Thousands of people came out to participate in the walk and we saw a bunch of familiar faces throughout the day.

Prior to the walk, there was a great carnival area set up for everyone to enjoy.  Though the day was overcast, it was perfect weather for an outdoor event.

Right before the walk began, several cheerleading teams from around the city performed.  My personal favorite were the STARS!  Several of our camp friends participate on this team.  They did a great job and it was the perfect way to kick off the race. 

Here's just a small glimpse of the crowds walking down the beach!  I loved the supporters lining the path, cheering on all the walkers.

All in all, it was a great afternoon. The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville did a great job with organizing this event.  Thank you to everyone who walked on our team!

If you didn't get a chance to participate this year, keep an eye out for the event next year!  We definitely plan to participate again!

October Super Saturday

After a busy week full of meetings, I'm finally getting around to blogging about our October Super Saturday.  Our Super Saturday program offers respite for our Camper families for 6 hours on a Saturday.  It gives our Campers a chance to come play and socialize, and our Buddies a chance to have fun with our Campers during our "off-season", plus a chance to earn those service hours too!

Super Saturdays are really laid back and relaxed.  We just go with the flow of what our Campers want to do.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous this past Super Saturday and we played outside for the majority of the day.

We came inside to eat lunch and do a few fall crafts and activities.

We painted pumpkins and painted fish with shaving cream.

We also got to investigate a pumpkin and scoop out it's insides.

All in all, it was a wonderful day.  Thank you so much to Stephanie, Kelly, and Marlana!  These sweet girls were on our summer staff and volunteered their day to staff this event.  Thank you to our Buddies who came on a Saturday and made the day as fun as possible for our Campers.  Thank you to our Campers for spending the day with us.  Super Saturdays are some of my favorite days of the year!  It's a time when I can truly relax and enjoy watching our Campers and Buddies interact.  It's a great "off-season" time together.  I miss everyone when camp isn't in session, so days like Super Saturday give us a nice boost in the midst of meetings, planning and fundraising!

Our next Super Saturday is November 22nd.  You can find the Camper application online here.  Buddies can email campiamspecial@ccbjax.org to sign up!