IN THIS ISSUE


Find out how you can make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities
True Friends Family of Services
NEWS & NOTES
Friday, September 25, 2015
JOIN IN FALL FESTIVITIES
with a weekend full of family fun! Register Today!
HAVE A WINTER BLAST
Find the winter camp schedule online and sign up today!
Camper Stories   Special Olympics Sports Camper Scott
Scott S. spent a week at camp with the Special Olympics Sports Camp program. He has been to this camp for the past three years, this being the first time it was held at Camp Courage. He loves being able to swim and play different sports. Scott is also involved with track and field through Special Olympics.

"I liked the heated pool," said Scott, "It was like getting to swim in a big bath." Scott was able to play the sports he loves and make new friends. "We joke around a lot, but having fun is the main thing for me," he says.

Camp has taught Scott how to stay healthy and active in his daily life. He has also learned how to cook healthy meals.

One of his counselors, Mackenzie, said "Scott's lighthearted attitude, his willingness to help others and his determination for sports makes him an extremely compassionate person."
Volunteers Be the difference.
Curt Proud (pictured, far right) has been volunteering at camp for nearly 10 years. His love for camp began when he volunteered here with a church youth group. He was so moved by the mission of True Friends, he came back on his own. Curt has volunteered with summer and winter camp. In 2015, Curt spent five weeks volunteering at three different sites. Amanda Sorell, Program Manager of Volunteer Services, said, "Curt is an amazing and dedicated volunteer. All of the campers and other staff members love him and he is always a positive and helpful individual to have at camp." Curt is nearing retirement and is looking forward to spending even more time volunteering with camp. 
Save the Date 
October 11 - Camp Courage 60th Anniversary Open House - A ll are welcome from 1-3 p.m. Join the event on Facebook and get the latest news. If you have any pictures from your time at Camp Courage, please scan and send them to our development team or share them with the Facebook page!

October 11
True Strides Open House - All are welcome from 3-5 p.m. Join us for pony rides, meet the horses, barn tours, live music, s'mores and a short program demonstrating hippotherapy techniques.

October 20
- Guardianships...Why? When?
Life Planning for Families of Children with Disabilities Seminar
 
- Don't miss this free opportunity to learn more about:
  • Guardianships and the seven powers of planning
  • The differences between supplemental needs trusts and special needs trusts
  • Naming successors
  • Creating and preserving benefits
  • Balancing present and future needs
  • Financial planning and estate planning issues you need to consider
The seminar will be from 7-9 p.m. at Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie. Contact John LeBlanc for more information and to RSVP.

October 23-25 - Fall Family Camp -Families rave about the stress-free environment they experience at family camp. Being surrounded by families similar to theirs, and having the support of caring staff members takes away vacation anxieties. You bring the family, we'll provide the memories. Register online for our weekend session at Camp Courage. All ages welcome, 5 & under are free.

November 12 -
Give to the Max Day - Join us for the seventh annual charitable giving event through GiveMN.org. We'll be rallying all Minnesotans to cheer on their favorite cause during this 24-hour extravaganza of generosity. This year we will be raising money to help send kids to camp, to participate in therapeutic riding and experience vacations through Ventures Travel. 
Alumni Connection
Renee Wooten first attended Camp Courage at age 11. She went to camp on and off until she was 17 and stayed involved later through sports camp with Courage Center.

During one of her first years at camp, Renee was selected as the Camper of the Year. This role allowed Renee to travel and attend events representing camp and talking about her experiences. She says, "I felt so special during my time as Camper of the Year. People came up to me and gave me so much positive feedback, I felt like a superstar." From her visibility in this role, Renee was asked to model for a Target ad! She was one of the first models with disabilities to appear in the catalog. Renee looks fondly on her time at camp stating, "Just being at camp was my favorite activity because I got to be around other people like me that I could relate to. I didn't have to worry about being different, because differences were accepted and you were never made fun of."

Today, Renee lives in California with her three children, and two of them have disabilities. As her son's homecare aide, she models both the caregiving and self-advocacy skills that she's acquired in her own experience. Renee is active in her community and promotes disability awareness.

Giving Tip #81: Make sure your retirement plan beneficiaries are current
Make sure you periodically review your beneficiary designations on your retirement plans such as your 403B's, 401K's and IRA's.  And while you are at it, think about including True Friends and other favorite charities as a percentage beneficiary.  It is simple, doesn't cost you anything and you get to make a bigger, longer lasting impact than you ever thought possible.  Contact your retirement plan administrator today and/or for more information, call John LeBlanc at 952-697-2281.
True Friends Can... read amazing stories from True Strides
True Strides provides hippotherapy, therapeutic horseback riding and horsemanship experiences to children and adults with a variety of disabilities. They have been very busy this fall with new and returning riders. Parents have been reporting great news from teachers and therapists. These professionals can see the incredible changes in core strength, ability to articulate speech, handwriting improvements and behavior changes. Like them on Facebook for more inspirational stories and awesome pictures!

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Check out our latest BLOG:
What is Literacy Camp?


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