Baby Birds at Camp ASCCA!
Take a trip over to the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center at Camp ASCCA, and you’ll get to view new “family additions” at the camp.As part of the Byrd Bird Observatory at the Center, there are two bird houses on the Lake Martin shoreline with cameras viewing into them. The bird houses have been there for two years, and FINALLY this spring, two bird families have “moved in!”
As best as I can see and count, there are 6 or 7 baby bluebirds in one house. For about one or two more weeks, we’ll get to watch as the mom and dad take turns feeding their young’uns. It is truly an amazing site, one that is not seen very often by most people.
In the other bird house, five eggs are resting in their nest and the mother bird frequently stays in the house to keep her eggs warm…
The Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center will be open to the public this Sunday afternoon, April 28, 2006, from 1-5:00 p.m. In celebration of Earth Day this weekend, please consider taking a little time out of your day to visit the birds and the other great displays about our environment in the Center. Bring your whole family!
Contact Camp ASCCA if you have any questions, or to learn more about the environemntal center, visit www.TheEnvironmentalCenter.org.
Tallapoosa County Gifted & Talented Classes - Day 1!
Gifted and Talented students from Edward Bell, Councill Middle, and Dadeville Elementary schools rolled in to Camp ASCCA this morning for a fun and environmentally educational day camp! These schools represent three in the Tallapoosa County school system and include 3rd through 6th graders.
I caught teacher Elizabeth Yarborough down at the zip line, where she was helping the young students off the Zip Line! I was very impressed to witness her encourging words of enthusiasm and support as Ellis soared down the 30 foot high zip line! And this was only one activity the kids experienced today…
Colonel Dick Bronson returned to the Camp ASCCA waterways today to conduct the “Living Streams” program on behalf of Lake Martin Lake Watch. Julia and Austin dug, splashed, and sifted through a stream to reveal mayflies, salamanders, crayfish, and other “bugs”. After a lesson in water quality and the macroinvertabrates found in the stream, the students learned that the stream was indeed of good quality!
Camp ASCCA Director of Environmental Education, Josh Rhodes, led the groups through a tour and an environmentally educational lesson in the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center. “Please discuss with your group and tell me what three pollutants to our lake may be…”, said Rhodes (one of many discussion points, by the way!)
The staff and volunteers of Camp ASCCA are proud to host day camps to this group of talented students for the first time. We look forward to more students tomorrow from other Tallapoosa schools!
Camp ASCCA will miss Mr. Billy Hitchcock
Unfortunately, I attended the funeral of a very great man yesterday - Mr. Billy Hitchcock, of Opelika, Alabama. Most people associate the name of Billy Hitchcock very easily with Auburn University sports and professional baseball… But I won’t go into great detail about that right now…
I only met Mr. Hitchcock one time since I’ve been at Camp ASCCA. He and his wife Betty Ann participated in one of our Tommy Tuberville Camp ASCCA golf tournaments. They both were very friendly, talked to everyone and smiled the whole time while enjoying the great atmosphere filled with Auburn pride, the game of golf, and the mission of Camp ASCCA.
Spring Board Meeting
Yesterday, Camp ASCCA’s Board of Directors held their April spring Board meeting in the theatre of the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center. Dr. Jim Krudop, Camp ASCCA Board Chair, precided over the meeting and Administrator John Stephenson provided the staff leadership role and input.In the morning, the Personnel and Finance subcommittees met and later, the full Board of Directors met. Staff members Matt Rickman, Cathy Jones, Nathan Waters, Robert French and Dana Rickman were also present.
The group discussed subcommittee updates, camp renovation progress, planning for selecting potential new board members, the “Project Renew” information for funding of the scheduled renovations, and went over an update on the Board Goals set for the year.
The meeting adjourned at noon and the group enjoyed a delicious lunch at the dining hall prepared by Mrs. Gaye and her staff! Oh, and our new nurse, Pam Williams, joined us for lunch too so everyone could meet her!
The next Board of Director’s meeting will be in July. We are very excited about this meeting too, because it takes place during summer camp and our volunteers can see first-hand all the activities taking place!
Norway GSE Team Visits Camp ASCCA
Today at Camp ASCCA we had a few Norwegian visitors! Yes… Norwegian!
This group came to us as part of their stay here in Alabama with the Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of Rotary International.Camp Administrator John Stephenson and I are both members of the Alexander City Rotary Club, and our club was hosting the group for the weekend. Last night we were introduced to Team Leader Sverre and other team members Anita, Sissal, and Toleff and a Rotary dinner at Cecil’s Public House restaurant in Alexander City.
After a brief shopping trip to the Russell Retail store, the group stopped in at Camp ASCCA for a tour of our facilities. I was able to show them the camp video and share all the accessible recreation we provide here for children and adults with disabilities.
At the end of the tour, John and Camp Director Matt Rickman, hosted lunch for us with grilled food of all-American hot dogs, brats, and sausage. The grill masters also fixed up some grilled onions and pineapple as well!
This afternoon the group is headed over to Children’s Harbor for a tour of their facilities and an afternoon of touring Lake Martin. How beautiful it will be.
Rotary in Alabama has done so much for Camp ASCCA and we are always proud to show other Rotarians and Rotary visitors how much Rotary means to us!
Saint James School :: Day 3
Well, today is the final day of the St. James environmental education camp. The students and volunteers completed the final activity rotations and had a great morning!
But first, a note about last night’s astronomy program… It was an absolutely PEFECT night for star-gazing - very clear skies! Josh Rhodes, Camp ASCCA’s Director of Environmental Education, asked a few boys what the experienced and the general consensus was “Saturn, shooting starts, and star clusters.” Wow!
Here are some more pictures of “Project Wild” on the ballfield, inside the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center, at the climbing tower, and at group elements!
Josh Rhodes said, “I really appreciate the hard work our volunteers and staff members have put in to this science camp. It is one of my favorite weeks and it wouldn’t be so successful without the help of so many knowledgeable individuals who care.”
St. James Upper Elementary Principal, Jim Terry, commented proudly, “I’ve always said to our students, this is the best field trip you’ll ever take.” He also said that “we start counting down the days 
at the beginning of the school year… this trip is awesome - it relates the students knowledge and book learning directly to the science camp.”
Jim is obviously excited about the annual school science camp and evidently so are many other younger students at St. James. He stated that “we have many parents of younger students, 1st and 2nd graders, asking to make sure their children will participate in a few years… this trip is MUCH anticipated by the younger 
children.” Science teacher Karen Jabour also added she always hears comments from students relating to the fact that the WHOLE 5th grade class gets to go somewhere together. “I mean, how many trips do you take with your whole class?” she questioned.
We certainly hope all the students had a fantastic learning experience about our environment, and a little fun along the way. We look forward to seeing a new group of 5th graders next year! Thanks everyone!
Wal-Mart Distribution Center Makes Contribution
On Tuesday, I had the chance to visit Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6095 in Opelika, AL! Camp ASCCA had recently made a request for a Bonus Grant through the Distribution Center for a contribution to assist in buying new audio/stereo equipment for our chapel.
The chapel is a “high use†area each day during the summer, providing for a quite space for our interactive music therapy program. It is also the perfect location for our high-energy, fun weekly talent shows! We also serve many groups throughout the year, some religious-based. The groups often use the chapel for their worship services. We are in great need of updating our stereo system to provide these groups a better experience with music and singing. Wal-Mart made this possible!
Brian Henderson, the Community Involvment Coordinator for the Distribution Center, made this Bonus Grant of $500 possible for Camp ASCCA. I met him a few years ago at a Lee County United Way function, and he’s been a friend of Camp’s ever since!
By the way, Camp ASCCA received another Bonus grant 2 years ago for new theatre chairs in our Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environemental Center!
Back to my visit at the Distribution Center… This was my second visit to one of their associates meetings and if you’ve never been a part of one, you might be pleasantly surprised by the excitement of the associates. There is loud music playing, people laughing, and a lot of good news about Wal-Mart being shared. Associates especially like the interactive games and drawings that take place for safety awards and other bonuses!
On behalf of our campers, volunteers, and staff, my thanks goes out to Brian, Valencia, and the rest of the Wal-Mart Associates at the Opelika Distribution Center! You are making a difference in the life of a person with a disability! Keep up the good work!!!
Fun Fish :: Day 3
This is the last day of the Fun Fish Weekend. The tempature was cold again this morning, but it seemed to warm up a little faster by the afternoon!
We certainly hope everyone had a good time, got to catch some fish and even won a prize or two!
Lunch was a fun time today… We had a warm meal and Bobby Morgan celebrated his birthday!
And the winners are…
Doug Jones received the “Big Fish” Award by hooking a whopping 2 lb. bass!
Mark Carlo came in 5th with a grand total of 26 fish caught. Bryan Carpenter came in 4th with 28 fish and Heath Butler, in 3rd, caught 36 fish!
My goodness, was 1st and 2nd close… Just one fish difference! Steve Hicks caught 55 and the big winner with 56 was WAYNE LEE!
The volunteer boaters were also recognized with a few prizes, Bobby Brewer is shown here with his gifts! “We really appreciate all the volunteers who gave their time and brought their boats,” said Josh Rhodes, “All this really wouldn’t be possible without people like them.” Camp ASCCA also gives thanks to the donors who helped supply all the prizes that rewarded the campers for their fishing adventures. “Getting a prize for something is always special,” added Josh. “This weekend is always a great time for our campers, so we’d like to thank everyone who helped out.”
Camp ASCCA puts on Fun Fish every year, so we’re already looking forward to next year!
Fun Fish :: Day 2
Here we are at day two of Fun Fish Weekend. It’s only part-way through the day, and already, we have some fun stories!
The boat dock was busy today with all the boaters getting ready to take the fishermen and women! I caught Brian Carpenter and Heath Butler coming down to the lakefront from breakfast all ready to go! It was pretty cold this morning and a tad bit windy, but everyone was bundled up pretty good with hats, coats and blankets!
After checking in after lunch with counselors Amber and Angelyn at the dock, I found out that Mr. Brian Carpenter had a BIG morning! With an approximate 55-60 fish caught in the morning, Brian caught 24 of them! Thumbs up, Brian!
Many other campers and counselors also enjoyed great fishing success, casting off the dock. Throughout the morning, campers took turns with some of the boaters on their boats and fishing off the dock.
We also have a two brother team of camper NIcholas Sandlin and his brother Mitchell. They’ve most recently enjoyed one of our family hunts in December and are back again to fish. We love these two “outdoor-loving” boys!
The day ended up being very sunny and about 60 degrees. The wind is still a little strong at times. I suspect that tomorrow’s weather will be the same as today, but it’s definitely not stopping the fish from being caught!
Hopefully, we’ll have even more fun stories tomorrow and a great awards lunch!!!…
PUSH Camp :: Complete!
Well, another PUSH Camp is complete! We’d like to thank the 22 young men of PI KAPPA PHI Fraternity for their time, talent, and hard work! From March 4-9, 2006 these men completed various project at Camp ASCCA, such as an accessible driving range platform, guard rails for wheelchair paths, bocce ball courts, a lakefront retaining wall, painting a lodge and parking lot, and cleaning up the tennis courts.
These students came from all over the country, including states such as Michigan, Georgia, and Colorado. One man told me that they had 9 guys from their chapter at Michigan State University here for the week. Early on during the week, I asked him what he liked best so far and he replied, “The weather!†Yes, it was sunny and warm in the 70’s all week! I told him I thought it was great that such a big group came down from his school and he replied “yes, we are really encouraging participation in PUSH America’s programs in our chapter…really trying to get the younger guys involved from the beginning.â€
Matt Rickman, Camp ASCCA’s Camp Director, commented that
It’s hard for me to explain what PUSH America and PI KAPPA PHI has meant to Camp ASCCA over the years. I’m always amazed a how much work we’re able to get done and the amount of care and pride the men put into the projects. Each PUSH Camp has its own unique stories…
By Wednesday at quitting time the guys finished the main projects we assigned them except for one. The one project we had left was to pressure-wash the tennis courts. A group decided at dinner to finish that night, no matter what time they were to finish. I found out the next morning at breakfast that 2 guys stayed up until 4 a.m. THAT’S the type of character and pride that these gentlemen possess.
We are very proud of the work PUSH Camp participates accomplish each year. I very much enjoy “bragging†about the projects as I give tours of camp each year. We were proud to have Jeremy Edmiston as the PUSH Camp Leader and to also have a visit from Executive Director, Chad Coltrane.
Oh, and NO our work with PUSH America is not over for the year… We’ll see them back in August for a Build America visit!
Please visit www.pushamerica.org for more information about the great things these guys are doing for people with disabilities!
Enterprise Rotary Club Visit - Camp ASCCA Speakers Bureau
On Tuesday, February 28, 2006 I made my annual trip down to the Enterprise Rotary Club! Jack Leib, the Program chair for the day, invited me to speak! The drive down to Enterprise was very nice. I feel that each year that I make the drive to Enterprise (www.enterprisealabama.com), the weather is always beautiful and “spring-likeâ€. There are already a few azalea’s beginning to bloom…
Enterprise Rotary Club have honored Camp ASCCA with their support for years.
We say,
“Thank You!”
The meeting room is always filled with many friendly and interesting people. As the meeting began at noon, and after hearing the club updates and news, I realized that their Rotary club IS very active and successful, only made possible by their members. I was impressed by each Rotarian that was in charge of different committees and events. It is a great club.
At the beginning of my presentation I showed the Camp ASCCA “A Day at Camp†video. This video remains to be a great way to show people about camp (of course ideally, I want people to actually visit our camp in person!). I then spent a few minutes describing our camp program and facilities, emphasizing that our camp is just like any other summer camp, just accessible for people with disabilities. I always like to spend more time on the camper-counselor relationship. This is a VERY special relationship and makes the camp experience memorable for our campers. I then highlighted updates on the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center, staffing, renovations at camp, the Rotary District 6880 (www.rotary6880.org) brick sponsorship program, and our new website!
I had some great questions from the members and great comments too. Two men have children who used to work at camp. Every year I get an update on one member’s daughter who worked here about 5 or 6 years ago. I think each year when I talk to her dad, she’s either pregnant, or just had another baby! One man has a daughter who’s attended camp as a camper. He described to the group how nervous he was dropping her off for a week of camp and even wanted to stay in a nearby hotel room. He reported she had the time of her life (as many of our campers do). We all need space away from home sometimes!
I, or another staff member, will look forward to returning to the Enterprise Rotary Club in April. It is then when they have their big “10K Giveaway†program, where they present checks to many deserving, quality non-profit organizations. Our yearly contribution usually goes to our Campership Fund, helping children and adults with disabilities to attend summer camp who cannot otherwise afford the full camp fee.
We are eternally grateful to be associated with such a wonderful group of caring community leaders. Thank you Rotary (www.rotary.org)!
If you would like to experience the Camp ASCCA Speakers Bureau, please either write to us or call us at 1-800-THE-CAMP (843-2267) or 1-256-825-9226.
11th Annual Ina Watson Memorial Valentine’s Dinner, Dance & Silent Auction - Camp ASCCA
More than 290 guests from the Tallapoosa County area celebrated Valentine’s Day at the Tallapoosa County Chapter of Easter Seals’ 11th Annual Ina Watson Memorial Valentine’s Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction held on Saturday, February 11, 2006. The event began with a candlelight steak dinner at 6:00 p.m. and was followed by dancing to the music of “Kidd Blueâ€. The event was held at the conference center at Camp ASCCA Dade
ville Campus (formerly Camp Civitan), which is located nine miles south of Dadeville on Highway 49 on Lake Martin.
The Silent Auction part of the evening was very successful and raised an additional $5,000 for the event. Many local individuals and businesses from the Lake Martin area and Auburn/Opelika contributed beautiful items that helped to raise the net proceeds. The fundraising event raised over $21,000 and will benefit both Camp ASCCA and the Camp ASCCA Dadeville Campus. Combined, Camp ASCCA and the Dadeville Campus have provided recreational, educational and camping opportunities to nearly 7,300 children and adults with and without disabilities last year.
Major sponsor Piggly Wiggly of Dadeville was honored as an “Orchid Sponsor†this year. Laeman Butcher of Piggly Wiggly made the steak dinner possible as well. Over 100 businesses, organizations and individuals were involved and sponsored the event, making it a tremendous success!
This year’s event committee was made up of individuals from across Tallapoosa County, and included: Wanda Ryals, President, Judy Amstutz, Alice Blythe, Mary Ann Burns, Doris Butcher, Cheryl Bynum, Yvonne Crispin, Kay Fincher, Katie Knepp, Pat Merrett, Tillie Parks, Dana Rickman, Lydia Staples, Teri Stephenson
, Louise Washburn, Karen White, Judy Woodard, and Dawn Yerkey.
To learn more about this event and Camp ASCCA, please contact Dana Rickman at dana@campascca.org. Camp ASCCA is an Easter Seals facility that serves children and adults with physical and mental disabilities and is open year-round. Programming provides educational, recreational, and camping activities for people of all ages and disabilities. Activities are accessible and include fishing, tubing, water skiing, tennis, tree house, zip line, wildlife and farm area, and dances, to name just a few!
Decatur Pilot Club Meeting
What a great trip I had to the Decatur Pilot Club on Wednesday, February 7, 2006 for a dinner presentation! I was greeted by many, many friendly women and felt very welcome from the start. By the way, Pilot Club is an international volunteer service organization that focuses on service related to brain-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, chemical dependency, developmental, emotional, and mental disabilities.
I first met Teresa Howell, who is the president. Then I noticed a woman with a very familiar face… It was Melvye Cooper. Mrs. Cooper is a past district governor and a one-time member of Camp ASCCA’s Advisory Committee. She has a history of making good things happen for Alabama Pilots and Camp ASCCA. She asked me about camp and how our previous administrator, Jerry Bynum, was doing. I kept on meeting people, as I was setting up my audio/visual equipment, and AGAIN saw a familiar face. This time it was Kay Chandler, the current District Governor for Alabama District Pilot International! She has also been a great support of our campers with disabilities and has initiated a “Lighten up for Camp ASCCA†fundraiser for the District. At each monthly meeting, members pass around a bucket and “lighten up†their purses and pockets and throw in their spare cash and coins! We all can’t wait to hear about their results at their convention in April.
We had a very nice dinner and I sat with seven other extremely interesting women of all ages and backgrounds. It was here that I met Ven King, the woman who had invited me to speak and who is also the incoming president of the club. I’ve never been to Decatur, Ala., before and I learned much about the city and about the huge fundraisers the Pilots do each year. In one long weekend the 40 women and many other volunteers and participants successfully pulled off a bride and groom extravaganza and their annual Bean Dinner! It was so nice to hear about how the community benefits from their work.
When it was time for me speak about Camp ASCCA, I introduced myself, updated them on the “happenings†at camp (staff updates, facilities, camp groups, etc.) and showed the camp video. The video still touches everyone deeply – I love to watch the viewer’s faces as they watch it for the first time. The camp recreation and friendships portrayed in the video is amazing. I also thanked them for their participation in Pilots. The District and the clubs in the District have a long history of support with Camp ASCCA. The ‘Pilot Queen’ pontoon boat, two ski boats, aquatic equipment, tubes, skis, and many camperships have been given by Pilots over the years. Very soon, the District will complete a $25,000 commitment to support the ‘water display’ in the Oscar C. Dunn Rotary Environmental Center. The have also supported the entrance displays leading in to the Center.
Ven and I spoke after the meeting and she’s excited about the possibility of borrowing a van, roundin’ up a group of Pilots, and driving down to visit Camp ASCCA this summer. I can’t wait to show them around and introduce them to our fabulous campers and wonderful counselors and program staff.
I can’t express enough how much fun these women have, how big their giving hearts are, and most importantly, how much they mean to everyone at Easter Seals Camp ASCCA!
(Contributed by Dana Rickman)
