McGough Construction Volunteers Construct New Accessible Ramp at Camp Courage

A brand new accessible ramp leading to the dining hall will greet campers in 2010 at Camp Courage on Cedar Lake. The new ramp was made possible by volunteers from McGough Construction and Tree Trust, Inc., both of St. Paul, Minn.

Spanning 220 lineal feet, the new ramp is part of an ongoing project to increase accessibility of the Woodland Campus Dinning Hall. The project was started in May by volunteers from Tree Trust Inc., and was completed on Saturday, Sept. 12, by a team of 25 volunteers from McGough Construction.

“It was fun to see a finished project. My crew felt very good about helping out an organization like Courage Center,” said Brad Wood, executive vice president, McGough Construction.

"Camp is an Oasis of Freedom and Independence".

On the referral of a friend back in 1978, the parents of then 7-year-old Mark Kranz made a fateful decision. They sent their youngster to Camp Courage.

“I attended a week-long session for kids with physical disabilities,” Kranz recalls. “The kids all had different types of challenges. Mine was cerebral palsy. That first camp experience was very frightening,” he admited. “However, after a few days, I didn’t want to go home!”

That was nearly 30 years ago. Now 38, Kranz still remembers his favorite camping activity with fondness. “The horses, by far!”

Since that first session, Kranz has returned to Camp Courage seven times. Now married and raising his own children, he brings his family to Family Camp. “My kids, Jon, age 9, and Emily, 6, really like all the staff at Family Camp,” he said. “The staffers are very friendly, kind and helpful. And we make new friends at every camp we attend.”

For Kranz, Camp Courage has always meant freedom. “Camp has always been the place to try new things and learn to be independent.”

Today, Kranz works as an accredited wealth manager and assistant vice president of RBC Wealth Management. “My job requires me to talk with people all day. I meet new people all the time.” He credits camp with helping him develop his social confidence. “Camp helped me grow as a person. It made me more confident and more independent. As a result, my life has been far more exciting and rewarding.”

Kranz encourages those who might have some apprehension about going to Camp Courage to, “Go anyway. You’ll be glad you did.”

And to parents who might have reservations about sending their child to Camp Courage, he advised, “Give your child a chance to grow without you. You’ll be amazed how outgoing your child is when he or she is reunited with you.”

Did little Mark Kranz’s parents foresee the benefits of sending their youngster off to Camp Courage nearly 30 years ago? Perhaps. Today, grown up Mark Kranz summarizes its effects: “Camp Courage is an oasis of freedom and independence. I will be forever grateful to the men and women who had the vision to build this wonderful place.”

For more information about Camp Courage and Courage Center’s many camping programs, call 763.520.0504 or visit CourageCenter.org/camps.
- Story by Mary Jellison-

The Power of the Experience

Spending time at one of Courage Center's camps is a life changing experience. A number of years back we asked Camp Courage's camper and staff alumni to complete a survey regarding their experiences at Camp. The following quotes help to illustrate the power of the camp experience and cause us to start counting down the days until next summer!

" Camp is the place where I met life long friends,learned some lessons along the way and got to experience the beauty of the outdoors in all seasons as well as see the beauty of the human spirit at its best and brightest."
- John Nedden Durst-

" Simply put the people at Camp Courage allowed me to experience life. They were friends. They saw us for who we are and who we could be. I can honestly say that I would not be who or where I am today had it not been for all of my friends and staff that came out of Courage. Thank you."
- Jamie Head-

" Camp became the very best job I ever had or ever will. I may not return to Camp often, but it is in me daily."
- Cliff Dodge-

" The people I worked with at Camp Courage were the most real and decent people I've ever known. I was so sheltered, quiet and conservative before I started at Camp...I learned to truly live by working at Camp."
- J. Chris Leonard-

Another Great Summer Comes to an End But the Fun Continues

As August draws to a close so does another summer at the Courage Center Camps. Time flies when you are having fun! 2009 marks our 55th summer of providing camp experiences for individuals with disabilities and it was another great year. We were able to serve over 1350 individuals and families this summer!

People often ask those of us who are here year round what we do during the "school year." Much to their surprise, our camps are busy places year round. There is never a dull moment!

Most of the non summer months are spent preparing for the next summer. This includes a whole variety of tasks. The schedule needs to be finalized, staff and campers recruited and registered, activities planned, funds raised and buildings maintained. This is no small feat for a program as large as Courage Center Camps!

What many people do not realize is that the majority of our buildings stay open year round as retreat and conference facilities. Families, churches, businesses and a whole variety of other groups are welcome to use our facilities and enjoy the natural beauty of camp. For more information on this aspect of our business, click on the link above or e-mail ConferenceCenter@CourageCenter.org.

In October we will be offering our second annual Fall Family Camp Weekend at Camp Courage (October 15-18). This is a unique opportunity for families that include an individual with a disability to experience the sites, sounds and unique activities that the fall season offers at camp. There are still some openings for families. Please contact our main office for more information (866)520-0504.

A special thank you goes out to all of our staff, alumni, volunteers and donors. Without the hard work and dedication that they share with campers, our programs would not be what they are today.