July 07, 2009
Reception will honor Camp Little Giant donors
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- People with disabilities of all kinds find they “can do” at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Camp Little Giant.
An upcoming event will honor those whose generosity makes it possible for children and adults with disabilities to experience real summer residential camp at Touch of Nature Environmental Center. The Friends of Touch of Nature are hosting a donor reception at 3 p.m. July 15 in appreciation of the donations that make Camp Little Giant a reality. The festivities will take place at Sledgefoot Hall within Camp II at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the Friends of Touch of Nature donor reception at 3 p.m. July 15 at Sledgefoot Hall. It’s at the Touch of Nature Environmental Center, about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road.
“The donations come in a number of ways, from scholarship funding to help our campers afford the cost of camp to medical supplies to keep campers well and healthy to various other supplies that we would not be able to afford otherwise,” said Vicki Lang-Mendenhall, therapeutic recreation specialist and director of Camp Little Giant. “The campers so look forward to Camp Little Giant. For them, it’s ‘our vacation for the year’ and they are so excited about coming. Thanks to the generous donors, we are able to make it a fun and successful ‘vacation’.”
Since 1952, Camp Little Giant has provided youths and adults with disabilities an outdoor camp adventure. Camp Little Giant is the first university-affiliated residential camping program in the U.S. for individuals with disabilities.
The July ceremony honors the generous gifts of time and money to Camp Little Giant and Touch of Nature programs. Donations come via payroll deductions, individual contributions and on behalf of various organizations, including school districts.
“Without the generosity of our donors it would be difficult to continue with the programs,” said Susan Edgren, interim director of the SIUC Division of Continuing Education, under whose auspices Touch of Nature lies. “All of us at Touch of Nature are grateful and would like to thank all the donors past and present for their continuing support.”
Touch of Nature Environmental Center lies on a 3,100- acre site along the shores of Little Grassy Lake. The facility hosts assorted programs, camps, therapeutic recreation programs and activities throughout the year.
For more information about Camp Little Giant or Touch of Nature Environmental Center call 618/453-1121, e-mail tonec@siu.edu or look online at www.ton.siu.edu.