The Fun Continues

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 third annual Fall Family Camp Weekend at Camp Courage (October 21-24). 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.

The Power of the Experience- II

Spending time at one of Courage Center's camps is a life changing experience. Some of this summer's staff shared with us a little about their summer. The following quotes help to illustrate the power of the camp experience and cause us to start counting down the days until next summer!

"Before camp began I did not realize how much I would learn and discover about camping, caring and life in general. My favorite aspect of a day at camp is how it is like a tie dye ...you never knew how it was going to turn out, but it certainly would be colorful. ...Camp Courage is a very special place where both campers and staff can grow,floursih and discover their true potential. I am so grateful to have been part of it. This summer will not be forgotten.

"Working with a wide variety of campers and staff has allowed me to appreciate the differences in each person. Each day at Camp gave me so much to be grateful for, I made the most of every day and gained an even stronger appreciation for life."

" Being here taught me so much more about myself and really helped me grow into a better person. I defined my inner leader at Camp and enjoyed every second I spent with the campers. It was a truly amazing and life changing experience."

Camp Courage North Hemophilia Session 2010

Top Ten Top Ten Reasons to Choose Courage Center Camps 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 other campers with similar disabilities.

3. Redesigned sessions at both camps for youth and teens

4. NEW sessions: Find Your True North Leadership Session, Pedal Paddle and Sail & the Summer Sampler for youth

5. American Camp Association Accredited Camp- quality assured.

6. Our 55th Season in 2010. 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. Great Food-delicious home cooked meals

2010 Alumni Volunteer Nurse Opportunities

Do you find your self missing your days at good old Camp Courage? Consider this as your invitation to join us once again We are looking for a team of volunteer nurses to assist with intake days. Your responsibilities will include assisting with the health screening and checking in medications for registered campers. We would love to have you join us!






Time Commitment: Each intake day will start for nurses at 10:00 AMwith Brunch and a health center update for all volunteers. Intake starts at 1:00 and will wrap up by 6:00 PM






How to Sign Up: Visit www.couragecenter.org/camps and visit the alumi page. An application will be available for download by 4/21/2010




For More Information: Contact Maria Schugel at 320-963-4115 or maria.schugel@couragecenter.org

Roger Upcraft to Receive STAR Assistive Technology Award

Roger Upcraft, former Program Manager at Camp Courage will be one of Fourteen Minnesota citizens, educators and organizations to be  recognized April 13 in a ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda as champions of removing barriers to independence for people with disabilities.


The Minnesota STAR Program’s “Awards for Excellence in Assistive Technology” honor individuals and groups for championing the removal of barriers to independence through the use of assistive technology (AT). AT is any device that maintains, improves or increases function at home, school, work and in the community.

Roger Upcraft was the camp manager at Camp Courage in Maple Lake for over 30 years. Roger was instrumental in establishing the Augmentative Communication (AAC) Camp for Teens, an AAC session for adults and the Literacy Session. The AAC Session is one of a few AAC camps in the country. Campers learn the “power of communication” by using their aAACdevices during typical camp activities as well as during special events such as Camp American Idol, that provide motivational and fun opportunities to communicate.
The Literacy Session is the only of its kind in the nation and is under the direction of Drs. David Koppenhaver and Karen Erickson, national literacy experts. Koppenhaver and Erickson teach 20 educators how to assess literacy as well as literacy strategies and assistive technology solutions that address each camper’s area of greatest need. Each educator gets the opportunity to work with 2 campers and immediately apply the newly learned knowledge. While the educators are in class, campers get to experience the full range of camp activities.
Roger was always supportive of anything that was needed to support the AAC and literacy sessions. He made sure that his counseling staff were trained on how to support AAC use as well as how to include literacy into camp activities. Roger personally helped haul computers, books, and other equipment into the space for literacy camp, even after his retirement. Rog was someone who worked quietly “behind the scenes” but his management led to 10 years of successful aac sessions and 5 years of literacy camp.

The award presentation will take place in the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13th. A reception with light refreshments will be held in the Great Hall following the ceremony.

Mimi Fogarty Received Courage Center's MacDonald Distinguished Employee Award

Congratulations to Mimi Fogarty, Courage Center Camp's Program Manager on being a MacDonald Distinguished Employee Award recipient. Mimi was nominated by:Nominated by: LuVerne Anderson and Elizabeth Meyer. Excerpts from their nominations follow.

Luverne said: “Mimi has demonstrated willingness to adapt to numerous job assignments over many years with a most pleasant attitude. Most recently she has taken over the program management responsibilities of Camp Courage by volunteering to do so. Results were great and beyond what should have been expected. She always puts the client first, and knows and demonstrates the mission of Courage. She commits to and follows through on really good ideas, and gives encouragement to others.



Elizabeth said: “Mimi has devoted her adult life to Courage Center’s camping program. She has made many contributions, too many to list, but if you’ve worked with or for Mimi you will remember. The summer of 2009 will stand out from all the other summers for the incredible turnaround she orchestrated at Camp Courage. Under her direction, the morale of the staff improved, the efficiencies of the programs improved, the food services budget was reduced and processes improved, and the atmosphere of the camp improved.



Mimi achieved all this by engaging her staff in the process, encouraging them to think outside the boundaries of camp, being enthusiastic about the needed changes, and supporting her staff during the tough times with respect, a sense of humor and the willingness to get into the trenches with them. She is selfless, professional, ingenious, dedicated and a goofball. She knows many clients by name and treats them with respect and kindness. She personally ensures that every camper feels safe while participating in the camping program.”