IN THIS ISSUE


Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities
True Friends Family of Services
Conference & Retreat
Make your meeting matter. Host your retreat, event or meeting at camp. Visit us online for more information and availability.
Work with camp!

+Learn new skills!
+ Part-time & Year-round positions available
+Flexible hours 
NEWS & NOTES
Friday, April 29, 2016
TRUE FRIENDS ON THE GO
Big thanks to the Lions for the vans and Luther Auto for the graphics!

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON: Spots are filling fast, find your perfect session and register today!


Camper Stories   
Ed performing at the talent show with staff member, Hayley
Ed Wald is a long-time returning camper at True Friends. Every session he attends fills him with a new joy and excitement for camp. Each year offers new experiences and friendships. " One camp I got to go to a movie and the other camp I was in a parade," said Ed. This past summer, Ed most enjoyed a hayride with all of his cabin mates.

His favorite activities are swimming and nature walks. One of his counselors, Nick, tells the story of Ed anticipating the group's next trip to the pool or lake. Ed kept asking Nick when they would swim next so he could splash Nick. " The water was great to help Ed relax, and he definitely kept his promise to splash me at the pool," said Nick. Ed's favorite memory from camp is simply being at Camp Friendship. " I just like being here," said Ed.
Partnerships with camp
We're excited to announce our first staffing partnership with Teachers on Call!
 
TOC is a substitute staff service that hires licensed teachers, paras, and early child care staff who partner with over 70 school districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This partnership will mean teachers, etc., will work in seasonal and year-round roles with TF in addition to sub-teaching.
 
We're excited for this partnership for many reasons. Let us tell you a few...
  • Quality Enhancement - through hiring licensed teachers to work for our numerous programs we will to continue to build on our pre-existing strong staff foundation.
  • Professional Development for teachers - TOC teachers etc., will supplement their current teaching schedules with more hands-on experience with kids and adults with disabilities thus bringing techniques learned at camp, and person-first philosophy, into the classroom
  • Building Connections & Tomorrows Workforce - TF seasonal and part-time staff entering the education field have a career resource for post-camp and post-graduation.
"This is an amazing opportunity for the substitute teaching industry in MN and WI and True Friends. These individuals will provide amazing care for our participants and we are excited to have them," said Manager of Volunteer Services, Amanda Sorell.

Together, in camp, and in the classroom, we will provide life-changing experiences for kids and adults with disabilities. Welcome, Teachers on Call, to our community!
Save the Date 
May 1 - OPEN HOUSE: Camp Friendship & Camp Eden Wood - From 1-3pm, all are welcome to take a tour, explore the cabins, chat with staff and see first-hand why we love camp so much.

May 4-15 - Picha Plant Sale (Eden Prairie) -
12-7 pm weekdays and 10 am - 5 pm on weekends. Annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees and shrubs will be offered at near wholesale prices. Proceeds from the sale will benefit True Friends. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

May 6 - Spring Steak Fry - From 5:30-8pm, all are invited to the Camp Friendship Dining Hall for amazing food, great company, BYOB (set ups provided), raffles, a silent auction, door prizes and more. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance from Larry Greene at 320.260.1551. 

May 15 - OPEN HOUSE: Camp Courage & Camp Courage North -
From 1-3pm, all are welcome to take a tour, explore the cabins, chat with staff and see first-hand why we love camp so much. If you plan on attending at Camp Courage North, please RSVP to 952.852.0110 x6. 
Giving is Good  Philanthropic Four Finish in BFG
TF Development Officer, Brooke, with our Division Champions, banner!
We raised an amazing $16,426 in the Brackets for Good tournament. We may not have taken home the tournament championship, but we feel like true winners considering the awesome generosity in each round. An extra $16K will go a long way in creating experiences and adventures for children and adults with disabilities.
 
THANK YOU!

True Friends Can... get camp prepped for the summer!
In early April, we held the annual Spring Cleanup Weekend at Camp Courage North. It was an absolute blast! What a wonderful chance to spend time with friends, new and old. We are so grateful to all of the fantastic volunteers who worked so hard to get camp up and running for the upcoming summer season. We really couldn't do it without them. We tackled a number of projects including: chopping wood, deep cleaning the site, organizing historical materials, overhauling our waterfront equipment, testing out the sauna, planning for dock put-in, turning on water and much more! If you are interested in volunteering, there will be another chance to join in the fun with the Fall Cleanup! 
We built a new deck at Camp Courage North!

We recently passed 4K likes on Facebook... Thank you for being our friends!


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