FRIDAY, January 8, 2010 MEETING NOTES Volume 44, Issue 15

We had 20 Optimists & guests today. Our only guest was our speaker. The Mystery Greeter was Milt Rewey who greeted Gary Engelke. John Dutcher, John Urness, Tom Nall, Gary Engelke, Charlie Clark, Hap Daus and Ernie Thalmann wore their Optimist shirts today.

Today’s Speaker - Betsy Ralph – Badger Camp

Here is Betsy Ralph, Communications Director for Badger Camp, with President Tom Nall. Betsy talked to us about Badger Camp 2009, fundraising efforts and looking toward the 2010 year.

She said that Badger Camp 2009 was a successful year with over 800 campers from 45 Counties in WI and 6 states. They accept campers with all physical and mental conditions. They had financial aid requests for over $235,000. The cost per camper is $800. The fee is $600. So far, they have never had to turn away a camper on financial grounds.

She spoke about the 2 major fundraisers. She thanked the club for its assistance during the Telethon. They were a little down from the2008 total, but still raised over $64,000.

She said they intend to purchase about 30 acres, to give an access to Hwy 18. This will give them a total of 680 acres. They allow campers to use the entire grounds.

The other fundraiser was the Packer Tailgate Tour. They used this as a benefit for Badger Camp. Badger Camp will use these funds toward their building campaign to build another lodge. As Betsy said, a New Lodge = More Beds = More Campers served.

She talked about the Counselors. They generally are High School to college age. No experience is necessary. Each counselor is trained to care for their campers. They also have 5 – 10 staff members who are foreign counselors. They have a permanent RN and Nurse Assistants with a Doctor who checks in weekly.

They have 3 Lodges that serve 80 – 100 campers per week. They have the Main Camp, but they also have a Primitive Camp and a Trip & Travel Camp.

Primitive Camp is for the more able-bodied campers. They live outside the main camping area and have no running water or electricity. They cook their own meals on a campfire.

Trip & Travel is where they take a 3 day excursion to places like Spook Cave, Mall of America or the Fox Valley.

Thanks for the wonderful speech!

 

This Friday - Lin Wang – Platteville Shared Ride

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

January 22 – Park Place – Breakfast & Tour

Jan 29 – Ed White - SW Wis Regional Planning Commission

JOKER DRAW

Here is the proof that Milt Rewey pulled the Joker! John Urness should have the final tally next week, but it looks like the whole pot was at least $1100. That means that $550 will go to Childhood Cancer and the other half to Milt.

THANK YOU

We received a Thank You note from Badger Camp for our donation and service to the Telethon. We also got one from the School District for contributions to HERO and Middle School activities like 5/6 homework.

John Dutcher thanked those Optimists who helped out on last minute to help a family for Christmas. In the end, there were enough donations to help 2 families! Dee Bernhardt wrote a thank you in the Platteville Journal.

FIRST FRIDAY

John Dutcher and Milt Rewey won the contest for a free breakfast from those present. Dr. Ahmed and Dick Liddle are winners of a Free Breakfast in January from those NOT present.

UPDATES

Holly spoke briefly on the Essay & Oratorical Contests. She is working with Emily Doan from the Platteville Area (Noon) club to do a joint contest. There will be winners from both clubs going forward.

The District Tri-Star Basketball contest will be in March. Our contest should be a week or two before. Bucky Badger will be at the SWIS contest!

BOARD MEETING

The new board will meet on Thursday, January 14th at 7 AM at Badger Brothers.





















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Last Modified: January 14, 2010