Texas Lions Camp

Texas Lions Camp

Written by Tiffany Young Monday, 07 January 2008

A special camp for special needs

Last summer, 1,538 campers attended the Texas Lions Camp, a residential camping facility for children with physical disabilities, Type 1 diabetes and cancer. The camp is sponsored by the Lions Clubs of Texas.

Located in Kerrville, the 504 acres of hilly terrain has everything a typical camp would: a swimming pool, arts and crafts, trails, an extensive ropes course and many other activities for children to enjoy.

What makes this camp unique is its large staff and wheelchair accessibility that provides for campers with unique needs.

Also, each camper receives an award at the end of camp at an awards ceremony, making each child a winner.

“There are activities from the time they get up in the morning until they go to bed,” said Adrien Drouilhet, a member of the board of directors of the Texas Lions Club.

Drouilhet, a retired school superintendent, has been involved in the Texas Lions Camp for 22 years and has lost count of how many children he’s sponsored. He said he attended Boy Scout Camp as a child and loved it, so helping with the Texas Lions Camp made sense.

“I think it’s important for children with special needs to experience the camping experience,” he said.

About 120 counselors ranging in age from 18 to 26 years old are needed each summer, and 17 full-time staff members are employed to run the camp.

The camp is equipped for special needs campers, but there are some limitations, such as children who need 24-hour care.

In order to offer the camp at no cost to parents, Lions Clubs across Texas pay dues, sponsor campers and many participate in three weekend sessions in the spring to prepare the facilities.

The amount to sponsor one camper for a week is about $1,600, and all campers must be sponsored by a Lions Club.

Lions Club International is the largest service organization in the world. Texas has 31,000 Lions Club members serving in more than 970 clubs and 16 districts.

“So many other organizations were more business oriented and did service on the side,” North Austin Fundraiser chair Seth Brower said. “But the Lion’s Club does it the other way around, so it’s service first and business second.

Funds for the camp also come from donations from individuals and other service organizations.

“Once upon a time, service organizations worked on their own, but now we’re realizing it’s more synergistic to work together,” Drouilhet said. “That’s what it takes–everyone working together.”

Children are not chosen for camp based on financial need. All campers are given the same access regardless of their parent’s financial need or lack thereof.

This year’s application process began Jan. 15 and campers are chosen on a first come, first served basis with first-time campers given priority over return campers.

There are six one-week camps for physically handicapped children, two one-week sessions for diabetic children and a seventh week dedicated to day campers and children with cancer.

“Rarely do we turn a physically disabled child away,” said Drouilhet, adding that the diabetic sessions fill up very quickly since there are only 200 spots.

Though it is up to local Lions Clubs to make sure sponsored campers have transportation to the camp, Drouilhet encourages parents to drop off and pick up their children, since camping is a new experience that may be intimidating.

For more information, visit www.texaslionscamp.com.

Vision and health projects

In addition to sending campers to the Texas Lions Camp, the Cedar Park Longhorn Lions are active in providing eye examinations and glasses to children from the Leander Independent School District.

School nurses identify students with vision problems and make arrangements for them to visit a local optometrist. Longhorn Lions purchase the glasses. During the 2006-07 school year, more than 80 pairs of glasses were given to out, and 60 children have already been identified this year as possible candidates.

Longhorn Lions also provide mobile health screenings that test vision, glaucoma, hearing, blood sugar and blood pressure to detect potential health problems in the early stages.

Fund-raisers for the projects are held throughout the year, including fruit sales. The club wrapped up the orange and grapefruit sale in December, and fresh peaches will go on sale in the spring. Proceeds go to Cedar Park area projects.

Local Lions Clubs

Cedar Park Longhorn President - David Everett Meets at Fajita Warehouse, 22233 FM 620, at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. 431-2286

Leander President - Ruth Marsh Meets at Crystal Falls Village Clubroom, 202 Crystal Falls Parkway, at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month. 259-2999

North Austin Lions Club President - Sheila Ross Meets at Shipe Hall, 1103 Justin Lane, at 7 p.m. on the first three Thursdays of the month. 471-6312

Texas Lions Camp, www.texaslionscamp.com