New Webpage Highlights Volunteer Opportunities at Camp

Check out http://www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/campvolunteer.aspx?FromNavPK=698 for more information on volunteer opportunities at our camps.

Excited About Summer Camp? Four Ways to Prepare for the Perfect Camp Experience- From the American Camp Association

Families are encouraged to check out http://www.acacamps.org/media_center/about_aca/tips090424.php for some helpful tips on how to prepare your child for camp this summer

Roger Upcraft Leaving Camp Courage

It is with mixed feelings that I announce that Roger Upcraft will be leaving his position as manager of Camp Programs at Camp Courage, Maple Lake. Roger joined Camp Courage in the summer of 1967, working for eight summers in a variety of positions before starting full time in 1974. Throughout his distinguished career with Courage Center, Roger has been instrumental in developing many of the programs currently offered at Camp Courage. In addition to the partner programs such as College Preview, Augmentative Communication, Literacy, and others, he also developed the Environmental Education program offered for many years to school children from all over the state.

Roger’s last day will be Friday, April 24. He plans to pursue other interests as well as continue as a volunteer at Camp Courage. Roger has been generous in sharing his knowledge and expertise based on his many years of dedicated service; this continues to be an important part of a successful transition. Mimi Fogarty will be serving as manager of Camp Programs this summer at Camp Courage.

Roger has requested that there be no formal event to mark this career milestone, but I know that you will join me in thanking him for all he has done to create a successful camping program and in wishing him the very best in his future endeavors.

Tom Fogarty, Director of Camping Services

Clean Up Weekend Was a Success

During the weekend of April 17-19, 2009 40 Courage North Alumni, family and friends participated in the annual spring clean up weekend. The volunteers ranged from alums who had been campers and staff when Courage North first started in 1972 to a six month old baby and a toddler in a red wagon.
On Saturday everybody pitched in on a variety of projects including lawn care, cleaning, log splitting and building remodeling.
It was a great weekend at Courage North with an awesome group of people, working together and completing projects, big and small.We appreciate our volunteers' hard work and dedication to our programs! We could not get camp ready for the summer without them.

Courage North will host another clean up weekend in fall. For more information contact Mimi Fograty at mimi.fogarty@couragecenter.org

Alumni Volunteer Opportunity

We are looking for staff alumni who are nurses that would be interested in helping with intake days. Check out the alumni page at www.couragecenter.org/camps for more info or drop us an e-mail at camping@couragecenter.org

Top Ten Top Ten reasons to choose Courage North this summer

Based on the recent almost-scientific survey of camp parents and campers, the following were among the top ten reasons for selecting our camps:

1. Camp is FUN – a variety of activities all in one place.
2. Friendships – meet friends who are Deaf /hard of hearing themselves.
3. We provide opportunities for mentoring from Deaf/ hard of hearing adults who are on our staff
4. Several options: traditional youth and teen session and three NEW adventure trips
5. American Camp Association Accredited Camp- quality assured.
6. Our 54th Season in 2009. We are doing it right!
7. A friendly and caring staff provides positive role models for today’s children, and is the key to creating summer camp memories to last a lifetime.
8. Camp should be considered an investment that helps develop independence and important life-skills, providing a solid foundation for successful living.
9. The camp setting is one of the few remaining outdoor experiences that enhances adventure and an appreciation for our natural world. 10. Grace's cooking- over 35 years of experience providing delicious home cooked meals

Good Camp Resources for Parents

Parents are often looking for good resources related to the summer camp experience. The American Camp Association has gathered all sorts of related information on www.campparents.org.

Another great resource is http://savvyfamily.com/?p=815

As always, any questions about Camp Courage or Courage North can be directed to our main office at 866-520-0504 or camping@couragecenter.org



Remember all camper applications are due into our office by May 1, 2009

Long Lasting Relationships

Anyone who has worked at Courage Camps can remember those special relationships that were sculpted with the people who worked beside them. Many become lifelong friends. Every so often there is a special connection that is made between two people and it changes their lives forever.
In the summer of ’91, Cody Morrow attended the very first hemophilia session at Courage North. He soon found that this would be an annual trip and a life changing opportunity. Seven summers rolled by and young Cody hadn’t missed a beat; going on adventures with his friends and comrades at camp.
In the summer of ’98, a visitor came to camp and changed Cody’s life forever. Meghan came to camp for the first time with her mother who was a hemophilia nurse. Soon after Cody and Meghan met they grew to be friends. Cody and Meghan started working together for the first time in 2000. Meghan was the “camp-sitter” for one of the camp families and Cody was in the cabins and involved with programming. Their lives at camp advanced and their friendship grew. In the summer of ‘03 Cody and Meghan became an official “camp couple.”
Cody and Meghan’s relationship grew and blossomed throughout their years together. Through camp they visited the B.W.C.A. and Voyagers’ National Park, leading and teaching their campers and fellow staff. Cody and Meghan worked in a variety of different camp jobs, including Counselors, Cabin Leaders and Program Staff.
Coming back to the place where it all started, Cody and Meghan were married at Courage North “deep in the pines” in the late summer of 2008. Camp was filled with friends and family who were a part of their lives, and who were all somehow tied to the place where Cody and Meghan’s relationship began.
Cody and Meghan Morrow now live together in their new home in Duluth, Minnesota. They are both still involved with Courage Center programs, as volunteer for the Alpine Skiing program through Courage Center Duluth. Cody says “It seemed like a great way to stay involved with the Courage Center organization that we’d been a part of for so many years”.
Courage Center programming has changed the lives of so many people. Meghan said “I love what the Courage programs do for all people. They allowed me to be involved in so many great programs that give people the opportunities to enjoy being active, to feel inspired and to empower others.”
Meghan and Cody’s story is a wonderful example of the amazing relationships that develop from an experience at Courage Center Camps and how the connection with Courage Center can be a long lasting relationship.

Camp Courage Open House

Camp Courage Open House
April 26, 2009
2:00-4:00 PM



Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Minn. is hosting an Open House on Sunday, April 20, for prospective families and the general public interested in learning more about Courage Camps.

Camp Courage staff will be on hand to give tours and answer questions from 2:00-4:00p.m. Camp Courage is located at 8046 83rd Street NW, Maple Lake, Minnesota.

For more information or for directions call (866) 520-0504 or e-mail camping@couragecenter.org