October 2011
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"The ultimate expression of generosity is not giving of what you have, but in giving of who you are" Johnnetta B. Cole

 

North Star Reach is an organization dependent on the generosity of volunteers. In this edition we are featuring stories about our volunteers by our volunteers. Hearing their stories in their own words truly communicates the spirit and power of volunteerism and how camp not only impacts the campers, but those who help make it all happen as well. 

Two Special Nurses "On the Move"

In July, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital nurse practitioners Veronica Bastian and Shannon Laursen took a week's vacation and shared it with nine children diagnosed with heart disease. They served as cabin counselors at Victory Junction in North Carolina through North Star Reach's "Camp on the Move" program, which takes local children with serious health challenges to camp, until our new facility is built. Both Veronica and Shannon also helped recruit campers from the patients they see in their cardiology clinic.    

 Victory Junction

Veronica and Shannon: As pediatric nurse practitioners, we have had the opportunity to care for critically ill children that will have lifelong health problems; however we have never had the chance to spend time outside of the hospital with the children while they are feeling their best. Witnessing all of the children having 'firsts' in their lives such as riding a horse, kayaking, archery and zip lining was so incredible; to see the joy in their faces after they conquered their fears or to do something their parents would normally not have let them do. It is a feeling that is not easily put into words.

 

 On the way home from camp, we asked the kids "what does camp mean to you?"

- 'it let me be a kid without being a sick kid"

-"it has changed my life forever, this is my home, camp is where I belong, everyone there is family to me and I can't wait to come back to be a counselor"

- "camp made me realize that I don't need to worry about what others think of me, I can be myself and be ok with that" and

-"it's a place where people don't judge you; you can act yourself and not have to worry about what people say or what they think of you."

 

To hear these children speak so highly of their experience and to know the effect on their lives, their self-confidence and their self-esteem was very inspiring and powerful. We would encourage any parent of a child with a chronic health illness to consider camp for their child; it will be a life-changing event for them.

Itching to Help
You can count on Don Sanford like the sunrise.  His dedication to North Star Reach is seen in many ways, but none as evident as out at camp.  Working behind the scenes is not as glamorous as other roles, but it sure makes a difference.  His skills and expertise have single-handedly removed the fallen trees from blocking the road, fixed the leaking roofs and broken windows, beautifully maintained the grass and grounds, plowed snow and helped to re-establish the beach area.  Don has made it a personal mission to maintain the property and facilities at camp and eagerly awaits the construction phase.
 

Don: About three years ago Doug Armstrong and I were at a conference together for Haz-Mat response teams. Doug was telling me about a camp he was building near Pinckney. It turned out I knew the camp property, I had been there with my family when I was a kid. Well talking about the camp brought back a lot of memories of the great times we had out there, and I thought it would be great to help give some other kids those memories.

To read more click here.

 

"I volunteer my time and equipment because I have seen what kind of magic that camp can create and want the kids who have many more challenges in life than I ever thought of to have a chance to see that magic."
Start Your Own Story 
As you can see, volunteers play a vital role in daily operations and eventually will become the lifeblood of future programming. Right now, volunteers serve on our Board of Directors and committees to support marketing, fundraising, programming and advocacy. They give of their time and talent. "How can I help," are some of our favorite words and often the first thing people ask. 

 

Currently, North Star Reach needs help in two areas, fundraising and awareness building. Volunteering in fundraising could mean participating in or hosting an event and raising money. Volunteering your time to help build awareness could mean volunteering in support of an event or serving on a planning committee.
 
In the future there will be opportunities to help on-site in preparation for and during construction. No, you probably won't be able to live out that childhood dream of driving a grader or bulldozer, that's for the professionals, but you can help do other things like build picnic tables or activity shelters.
 
Once camp is operating, North Star Reach will need hundreds of volunteers (19 years and older) each year serving as cabin and activity counselors. We will also host work weekends where families and friends can get a taste of the camp experience in return for a weekend helping out. 
 
The volunteer spirit is alive and well at North Star Reach and will only grow as we do. Thanks for your generous gift of time and we look forward to seeing you all at camp soon. 
 
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In This Issue
Two Special Nurses
Start Your Own Story
Scouts
Itching to Help

Upcoming Events

 

Sat. Jan 28, 2012

Wild Game Dinner

Pinckney, MI

Details TBD

 

Sun. Feb 5, 2012

Super 5k 

Click Here for Info

Thank You 
ga-ga pit 

In August, Life Scouts Patrick Oakley and Brett McKinney completed their Eagle Scout Leadership Service projects at North Star Reach. The Scouts with the support of their troop, constructed four accessible picnic tables and a Ga-ga pit (above).  We are truly grateful to Patrick and Brett for their service and congratulate them on the completion of this important step toward earing their Eagle Scout award.
 

 To read more click here.


North Star Reach Camp:

1200 University Camp Drive

Pinckney, MI 48169

 

 

North Star Reach staff offices are located at:


300 North Ingalls Street, Rm NI4C01
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5475

Phone: (734) 936-1712

 

To learn more or sign up to volunteer, contact us  here

 

northstarreach.org

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North Star Reach aspires to become a member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.  We continue to work toward meeting a set of requirements that will allow us to apply for provisional membership within the Association.  These requirements are designed to ensure the highest level of safety, programming and financial sustainability at our camp.

Where anything is possible.