Camp is coming, here we go!

Here we go!

It has been a productive start to our spring season and the energy, excitement and progress continues to grow at Camp Kudzu. We completed another successful Spring Family Camp with 200 participants and volunteers. We were able to see our families grow confidently in managing type 1 diabetes together, all while having fun and building new friendships within our Kudzu Family.
Photos from Spring 2018 Family Camp

Its an exciting time as we turn a corner and prepare to jump into summer programing with our first of five summer sessions about to commence! Later this month, (May 29) we look forward to kicking-off Session 1 at High Harbour. As part of our preparations, we're working with volunteers, finalizing programs, and hosting orientation and training programs. We spend all year planning the details and we are looking forward to our 19th summer of Camp Kudzu and cannot wait for all of you to see and experience what we have planned!

This year, campers may notice a new face among our Kudzu Staff Team. We welcomed Bianca Cato in mid-April as our Camp Kudzus Operations Manager. Bianca already has a considerable amount of operations experience under her belt, and she is already helping us better serve children and teens with type 1 diabetes. If you see Bianca at camp, make sure you give her a special hello!

Finally, our Outreach efforts continue to gain momentum with 85 new campers and families confirmed for this year's programs and counting! We are excited about growing the Kudzu Community and expanding our reach across the state of Georgia. This growth also translates to more scholarships being awarded so far this year than ever before, and it's all thanks to your help!

We're continuing to do great things, and we can't wait to see you again at camp.

-Rob Shaw
Executive Director

Almost Here...

14th Annual Kudzu Cup Fore! Kids

Monday, May 21, 2018

Benefitting Camp Kudzu

Registration: 8:30 AM
Driving Range: 9:30 AM
Shotgun Start: 10:30 AM

We are less than a month away for the 2018 Kudzu Cup Fore! Kids golf tournament! There are still players and foursome slots available. If you have not signed up, now is the time!

If you cannot join us, there are ways you can still participate in this signature event. Tee Sponsorships and Cart Path Sponsorships are still available! Get your name or company logo out there with a personalized Tee Sign prominently displayed around the course or on full color Cart Path stamp adhered directly on the cart path.

Do you have a special camper in your life? What better way to honor him/her than with a Tee Sign complete with your personal message of love, pride and/or encouragement that is his/hers to keep at the close of the tournament?

In order to have your Tee Sign or Cart Path stamp proudly displayed at the 14th Annual Kudzu Cup Fore! Kids , all logos and/or messages must be turned in to Doris Pierce-Hardy by Monday, May 11th. For additional information, or if you have any questions, please contact Doris at 404-495-4853 or [email protected] . Happy Golfing!

How we get ready for the summer: Working with staff

By Kat Shreve
In the upcoming weeks prior to our company arriving (translation: campers checking in at camp), the rest of the Camp Kudzu Staff and myself will spend a significant amount of time in person, on the phone, and online getting nearly 400 volunteer staff ready to be on our summer team.

FIND OUT HOW WE DO IT

85 and counting!

By Whitney Gillis LeHew
As we count down the days to summer, we are also excitedly counting up towards our goal of having 100 new campers at camp! So far, 85 new members of the Camp Kudzu family have attended a weekend camp program or are registered for summer camp. We cant wait to welcome the next 15 (and then more) into our fantastic community.

The best way for us to connect with families and children who could use our programs is through recommendations from the entire Camp Kudzu community. If you know of anyone that may be interested in camp, email Whitney at [email protected] , so that she can provide them with information about programs, scholarships and how camp is educating, empowering and inspiring kids all over Georgia and the Southeast.

EMAIL WHITNEY

¡La solicitud para inscribirse en Camp Kudzu ya está disponible en español! Sí, gracias a los señores Jesús y Consuelo Leon (padres de la anterior presidente de la junta Consuelo Ecuyer y abuelos de la ex campista y actual voluntaria Alina Bills), la solicitud ha sido traducida y está disponible para su descarga. Usted puede descargarla haciendo un clic aquí. Gracias a su trabajo Camp Kudzu atenderá mejor a más familias y se asegurará que todos los niños que viven con diabetes tipo 1 tengan la oportunidad de asistir al campamento y aprender a controlar su enfermedad. Para obtener más información sobre los programas del campamento haga un clic aquí.

Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el proceso de solicitud, becas o programas del campamento, comuníquese con nosotros al 404-250-1811 o [email protected] .

The above is news that we are truly excited about: Camp Kudzu's registration application is now available in Spanish! Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Jesus and Consuelo Leon (parents of former board chair Consuelo Ecuyer and grandparents of former camper and current volunteer, Alina Bills). This translation is available thanks to their hard work.

Lola Frankowski

Special thanks to Lola for stepping up and leading her Girl Scout Troop in supporting Camp Kudzu with art supplies for summer camp, including a very generous assortment of store gift cards!

Lola also delivered a very powerful and educational presentation to the girl scouts, teaching them the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, Camp Kudzu's mission goals, and why she is so passionate about Camp Kudzu!

Henry Banner

Camp Kudzu thanks Henry Banner for this Third-Party Fundraiser, Lego For a Rainy Day. This is Henry's Bar Mitzvah project, inspired by his 8-year-old cousin Andrew Connelly's battle with diabetes.

You can read more about Henry's story by clicking on this link . If you would like to host a special project or fundraiser to benefit Camp Kudzu, please contact Doris Pierce-Hardy.

Email Doris

What the new tax law may mean for you

By Sandy Yates
Camp Kudzu is extremely appreciative of the generous contributions it receives each year. Our campers benefit from volunteer time, financial support, and in-kind donations, like art supplies and insulin. While we continue to meet new supporters, we are also thankful for many long-term relationships that have grown and developed over the years.

In January, the biggest change in tax law in the last 30 years took effect, and the new law has changes that may make it easier to engage in charitable giving. This year, as you consider making contributions, it may help to research the impact that the new laws will have on your income taxes, even though we know that tax deductions you may have received in the past are not the primary reason for your generous support of Camp Kudzu's mission. In order to make it easier to learn more, here is an article about the new tax laws published by Forbes.

READ THE ARTICLE

Preparing to head to camp!

By Sandy Yates
Wow, after another successful Family Camp, were excited about preparing for four summer overnight sessions and Sprouts Day Camp. Weve awarded more scholarships than ever before and have registered 85 first-time campers who come from underserved communities. There are forty more campers who will need your support to attend camp this summer. Can you help them?

If so, please donate now through our site. You can also make your contribution impactful for campers and minimize the burden on your income by setting up a recurring gift.

Thank you!

DONATE NOW

Counselor helping camper check blood sugar levels

Surviving and thriving

By Anna Albritton, MS, RD, LD, CDE
As a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes, your ultimate goal is likely for your child to gain the skills necessary to successfully manage diabetes on their own. Yes, its possible (although at times it may not seem that way) and no, you dont have to settle for them living in your basement forever. Your childs endocrinologist, diabetes educators, camp staff, and camp support system can all play a role in figuratively packing a suitcase full of management skills to adequately prepare them for their future in managing diabetes successfully.

Bianca Cato, welcome to Camp Kudzu!

I am so excited to be a part of the Camp Kudzu team! I've always wanted to go to camp, but never had the opportunity to in my youth. As an adult, one of my lifetime goals has been to establish a camp for children in need, in order to create a place where they could escape and learn new skills. Now I have a chance to help many young people living with Type 1 Diabetes not only go to camp, but make life long memories and friends. I look forward to growing with Camp Kudzu as they continue to Education, Empower and Inspire children living with diabetes.

Bianca is Camp Kudzu's newest team member. As the Operations Manager, she supports the team, oversees volunteers and maintains the day-to-day operation of the office. Bianca is an Atlanta native and a Georgia State University Alumna. After graduation, she traveled and volunteered with various nonprofits in Las Vegas and Chicago. In 2015, Bianca moved to Los Angeles, where she started her professional career as an Operations Manager at a small nonprofit called End Malaria Now. During this time, she also earned her master's degree in Nonprofit Leadership. She has a passion for youth and nonprofit management, as well as art and traveling. She has recently moved back to Atlanta in order to be closer to her family and friends.

Questions about registration or the application process?

Contact Mandy Conroy, Registration Coordinator at [email protected] or 404-495-4863.

Email Mandy

Have questions about estate gifts?

By remembering Camp Kudzu in your estate plans, you are making a lasting commitment to helping educate, empower, and inspire children living with T1D. For more information about planned giving opportunities, please contact Doris Pierce Hardy.

EMAIL DORIS

2018 Kudzu Partners