The Michigan Braille Tran-

scribing Fund has established

an endowment fund to sup-

port the summer camp ses-

sions for visually impaired/

blind youth at Lions Bear

Lake Camp. An initial check

for $100,000 was presented

to the Board of Directors

on October 30, 2013. The

Michigan Braille Transcribing

Fund intends to provide

further funds up to

$500,000 to support the

development of a strong

foundation for the endow-

ment fund. The Michigan Braille Tran-

scribing Fund has successful-

ly transcribed print infor-

mation for blind and/or visu-

ally impaired constituents for

many years. It is their desire

that Lions Bear Lake Camp

receive sustaining support for

its continued services extend-

ed to families with blind and/or

visually impaired children,

without charge. According to

Director, Dennis Tomkins,

“The generosity of the Michi-

gan Braille Transcribing Fund is

a significant event for us. The

endowment fund is a huge

addition!!” Its existence will go

a long way in assuring the

Board of Directors ability to

continue providing quality out-

door programs for the visually

impaired and blind. The "Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund Endowment” is a

Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund

Establishes Endowment Fund for Lions Bear Lake Camp

February, 2014 Volume 3, Issue 1

Camp News Notes

About Our Campers

This Camp has truly

provided me invalu-

able experiences that

I believe that has

bet-ter prepared me

to be independent,

good role model,

caregiv-er, leader,

etc. It al-so prepared

me for any other jobs,

work-ing with people

who have disabilities

that I would do for

my new job!

Thanks so much for

providing this camp.

Someday in the fu-

ture, I plan on to be

a member and vol-

unteer of the Lions

club in my district

and encourage the

club to donate money

for this camp!

Kristin Shultz

Lions Visually Impaired Youth

Camp, Inc. is a 501(c)3

organization.

great opportunity for individu-

als and organizations to pro-

vide financial gifts that will last

for perpetuity. A charitable

gift towards the endowment

fund is tax deductible, since

Lions Bear Lake Camp is a 501

(c)(3) organization. Please

consider giving to the endow-

ment fund so that many more

visually impaired/blind children

can have a camp experience.

Your donation can be sent to

Lions Bear Lake Camp. In your

correspondence please note

that the purpose of the dona-

tion is M.B.T.F. Endowment

Fund.

Pictured: Dick Foust, M.B.T.F. Treasurer; Dave Dykstra, L.V.I.Y.C. President; Dennis Tomkins, L.V.I.Y.C. Director; Stuart Goodrich, MBTF Board Member; Cindy Olmstead, MBTF Executive Director; Jeanie York, MBTF President;

Dennis Kotenko, L.V.I.Y.C. Vice President

Kristin as a Camper

Contributed by Dennis Tomkins,Director

With many months of careful

planning and strategizing about

the building of our new uni-

versally accessible climbing

tower, the Lapeer office of

DTE Energy were there to

assist. Not only did they do-

nate our telephone poles, they

also wholeheartedly donated

their time and energy to help

in the building process. Gary

Tolar, the Lapeer office DTE

Energy overhead supervisor

stated, “I got involved with

this project because of the

cause and the opportunity

to be part of something so

awesome for special needs

children. To give them kids

the chance to experience

something that they would

otherwise never be able to

do made it all worth the

effort.” Gary Tolar and his

crew received the Sarah

Sheridan Award in recogni-

tion of all the hard work for

Lions Bear Lake Camp. This award, is given to DTE em-

ployees once a year. The

award recognizes efforts by

employees that have gone

above and beyond their

normal roles to help the

community or their compa-

ny to obtain positive cus-

tomer satisfaction and ser-

vice. This includes volun-

teerism as well as cost sav-

ing measures to the compa-

ny or organization. When

asked, “What is your overall

feeling of being part of this

project?” Gary told us,

“That is almost to hard to

put into words, ecstatic

would be a good one and

proud that my company gave

me the opportunity to be part

of something so special for the

people and children that might

otherwise never get to experi-

ence a chance to feel whole.”

With gracious gratitude, the

staff, campers, as well as the

community would like to say,

THANK YOU for all that you

allowed us to achieve. With

your kindness and support we

are now able to provide a

unique fun filled experience for

all at Lions Bear Lake Camp.

Contributed by Christina Wills,

Office Manager

Big Help From Our Local Community

We Are Expanding Our Summer Program

worries aside and join in

making friends and enjoying

new experiences. With a

fully knowledgeable staff of

doctors, nurses and counse-

lors, we are able to provide

these children with brittle

health issues a week of fun

that they will never forget.

New this year, Lions Bear

Lake Camp with the help of

the Arthritis Foundation,

will be adding a whole new

week to the excitement.

Week two will not only be

available to the children of

Michigan, but will also be

expanded to children in

other states as well. Lions

Bear Lake Camp has always

had a mission to produce a

year round program and

this is a positive step in that

direction. With everyone’s

continued support we will

be able to keep growing,

allowing children with spe-

cial needs a summer of fun

filled memories that they

will never forget.

Contributed by Christina Wills,

Office Manager

The Michigan Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation's Camp Dakota is a residential camp for

children living with juvenile

arthritis and other

rheumatoid diseases. It is

where Michigan children

with juvenile arthritis can

come and enjoy a wonderful

summer experience! The

Arthritis Foundations Camp

Dakota is held yearly at

Lions Bear Lake Camp. For

one magical week, Michigan

children with juvenile arthri-

tis can put their health

“...outdoor play

and exposure to

nature has long-

lasting effects on

children and

Camp News

“It was really

hard, but it

showed me I could

do hard things.

The zip line was

an amazing

adrenaline rush.

I can’t wait to do

it again.”

DTE Energy Employees

Setting Poles

Making Friends at Camp Dakota

adults..."

Lions Clubs Gold Sponsors

($1000+)

Algonac Lions

Almont Lions

Ann Arbor Host Lions

Armada Lions

Berville Lions

Bretton Woods Lions

Chesaning Lions

Clarkston Lions

Clawson Lions

Dearborn Heights Lions

Eastpointe Lions

Emmett Lions

Frankenmuth Lions

Fraser Lions

Grand Rapids Lions

Lake Orion Lions

Lathrup Village Lions

Macomb Twp. Lions

Madison Heights Area Lions

Marine City Lions

Muskegon Northside Lions

Novi Lions

Plymouth Lions

Port Huron South Park Lions

Rochester Hills Lions

Rochester Lions

Romeo Lions

Royal Oak Lions

Shelby Twp. Lions

Sterling Heights Lions

Trenton Lions

Utica Lions

Warren Lions

Waterford Twp. Lions

Westland Lions

Wixom-Walled Lake Lions

Lions Clubs Silver Sponsors

($500-$999)

Alto Lions

Bedford Twp. Lions

Birmingham Lions

Brighton Lions

Cass City Lions

Centerline Lions

Chesterfield Lions

Clinton Valley Lions

Detroit Renaissance Lions

Elk Rapids Lions

Fenton Lions

Garden City Lions

Grosse Point Lions

Hadley Lions

Hart Lions

Hazel Park Lions

Holt Lions

Lapeer Lions

Linden Lions

Livonia Hi-Nooners Lions

Michigan Center Lions

Midland Lions

Mount Clemens Lions

North Branch Lions

Onekama Lions

Ortonville Lions

Oscoda Lions

Rose City Lions

Sandusky Lions

Sebewaing Lions

Selfridge N. Macomb Lions

Stockbridge Lions

Washington Lions

Yale Lions

Lioness Clubs Gold Sponsors

($1000+)

Armada Lioness

Delta Lioness

Harsens Island Lioness

Lake Orion Lioness

Lioness Clubs Silver Sponsors ($500-

$999)

Almont-Dryden Lioness

Macomb Twp. Lioness

Paw Paw Lioness

St. Johns Lioness

Our Contributors

Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 1

Foundations 2013

Allstate Foundation

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Capital Region Community

Foundation

Community Foundation of

Northeast Michigan

Four County Community

Foundation

Jury Foundation

Katherine B. Miner

Charitable Trust

The King’s Daughter and

Sons Inc.

Kohl’s Foundation

Lapeer County Community

Foundation

Louise Tuller Miller Trust

Merkley-Youth Charitable

Trust

Michigan Braille

Transcribing Fund

The Phillip and Elizabeth

Filmer Memorial

Charitable Trust

Rollin M. Gerstacker

Foundation

Whiting Foundation

Mark Your Calendar

Lions Bear Lake Camp

3rd Annual Wine Tasting

Saturday Oct. 4, 2014

Note from parent-

My visually impaired daughters just spent 2

wonderful weeks at Lions Bear Lake Camp.

Because of Lions Clubs and their donors, the

camp was almost free. There are not many

camps that are or are even willing to accom-

modate to my daughters’ needs. Not only

does this camp accommodate, it is a camp

designed to fit their needs. All physically

challenged youth are accommodated. This is

one thing, you as donors, are making possible

for these children and I would like to thank

you all. Kathi Lash

Visually impaired campers challenging themselves with team building activities.

Michael Roy

Al Lindsey

Donna Wineman

Walter & Debra Kaltz

Jerry Wylin

Martin & Amy Butkovich

Ben & Barb Delecke

Michael & Laurie

Demanuel

Mauri & Betty Deprez

Lester, Shirly & Cheryl

Dobersky

Dave & Mary Ebert

Marjorie Fetty

Fraser Lions Club

Everette & Ruth Gerber

Evelyn Girardot

Joan Job

Bill & Pat Kierpaul

Gary & Margie Kirsh

Ann & Robert Klein

Joyce Kraatz

Larry & Judith Kukuk

Gordon & Jean Logan

Glennis Mosher

Owendale Lions

Danilo Riggio

Stephen & Bonnie Rojeski

Pat Sasseen

Dave Szlachta

Samuel & Carole Vitale

Rob & Gail Wylin &

Family

Dan & Charlene Yoke

Page 4 Camp News

Ronald DeBuck

Macomb Township Lions

Richard Fortier

Hubbard Lake Lions

Roger LaMothe

Sharon Bevan

Craig & Janis Bishop

Chuck & Phyllis Blackburn

Terry & Pat Bowerman

CCJ Board of Directors

Dave & Mary Dykstra

Ron Holler

Harry & Laura Johnson

Al & Desiree Lindsey

Lawrence & Colleen

McNeal

Jim & Lauraine Pettinato

Port Huron South Park

Lions

Vandercook Lake Lions

John & Carolyn Verbeken

Terry & Becky Walters

David & Nancy Winter

James Lunan

Lathrup Village Lions

Violet May Perry

Emmett Lions

James Rogers

Denise Benoit

Melissa Cardenas

Robert & Michelle

Chowen

Stephen & Susan Daley

Ron Diurba

Marvin & Marilyn

Featherston

Thomas & Tracy Golden

GP Strategies

Mike Koper

Neil & Robin Loughlin

Village of Ortonville

Michael & Donna

Pincumbe

Gene Probe

Kayla Ratz

Thomas & Ann Smith

Memorials

Blind and Visually

Impaired Session

Alto Area Lions

Laingsburg Lions

Livonia “High Nooners”

Lions (2)

Livonia Ophthalmologists

North Branch Lions

Northport Lions

Romeo Lions

Sandusky Lions

Selfridge North Macomb

Lions (2)

Deaf and Hard of

Hearing Session

Alpena Lions

Holiday Shores Lions

Lapeer Lions

Lewiston Lioness Lions

Madison Heights Area

Lions (2)

Michigan Center Lions

Midland County Health

Department

Sandusky Lions

Deaf and Hard of

Hearing Family Camp

Mayville Lions

Juvenile Arthritis

Session

St. Mary Catholic School

Camper Sponsors Honorariums Memorials

Dick Belloli

Richard Belloli, Jr.

IPDG Dick Dettling

PDG Terry Walters

Goodrich Lions Club

Hadley Lions Club

Lila Hodgin

Romeo Lions

Roger LaMothe

Hanover-Horton Lions

PDG Jim Pettinato

Esther LaMothe

Lioness Traci Tribley IPDP

Brettonwoods Lioness

Club

Jeff & Veronica Dean

Greg & Theresa Hayes

John & Ruth Kriewall

Robert & Mireya Mackovyak

Ortonville Lions

Mark Your Calendar

Lions Bear Lake Camp

Spring Work Bee

May 10, 2014 Having fun in the Arts and Crafts Center

New and Exciting Things Happening at Lions Bear Lake Camp

Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 1

It has been many years in

the works, but Lions Bear

Lake Camp has finally fin-

ished its universally accessi-

ble climbing tower and zip

line with help from a lot of

major contributors. Our

unique climbing tower with

zip line works much differ-

ently than any other in the

state of Michigan. Each

route on our climbing tower

is approximately 40 feet,

each with a different degree

of difficulty. Side one is built

on a lean and is wheelchair

accessible. Side two has two

vertical routes, one route

with an overhang. Once a

climber reaches the top plat-

form a Certified Facilitator

will transfer the climber

onto the zip line. The zip

line is a hydraulic system and

lowers the zipper to the

ground or back into their

wheelchair. This program is

designed to adapt to the

style and needs of each indi-

vidual climber while also

being fun and highly motiva-

tional. With the expansion

of this new program, we

have also needed to add to

our staff. Our Certified Fa-

cilitators had a wonderful

time watching and assisting

the kids this summer. This

is Rob Trott’s third year

with us at camp as a facilita-

tor, “To watch the excite-

ment and expressions on

many of the campers faces

as they successfully com-

plete the biggest challenge of

their young lives…. price-

less!” Tiffany Adams first

year as a facilitator with

Lions Bear Lake Camp was

an exciting one, “It was a

great blessing for me to

have the opportunity to

help the young people have

an awesome experience on

the climbing tower and zip

line. To see the huge smiles

on their faces when they got

done showed just how spe-

cial this experience was for

them.” With this being the

first summer of using our

new tower, you could only

imagine the excitement

from our staff and campers.

Nick was one of our first

wheelchair bound individuals

to experience our tower, “It

was really hard, but it

showed me I could do hard

things. The zip line was an

amazing adrenaline rush. I

can’t wait to do it again.”

With Nicks help our staff

was able to practice assisting

with a wheelchair bound

individual before our camp-

ers arrived. Thanks to Nick

our staff was ready to per-

form. Another important

person to this project is

Jean Jones, our Challenge

Course Director. With

her ideas all of this was

possible. “I wasn’t at Lions

Bear Lake Camp for very

long before I had a

vision, a vision that

kept on growing. I

knew that our

campers needed a

climbing tower and

not just any climbing

tower; a tower that

each camper could

enjoy while facing

challenges. A well

thought out and

planned climbing

tower that would allow the

camper to grow emotional-

ly and physically from their

experience. It took six

years of determination be-

fore I was able to turn a

dream into reality. I am so

thankful for all the support

from Dennis, Christina and

my family. I am fortunate

to have a husband that

shared in my dream of the

perfect climbing tower

and zip line. Together

we were able to

design not only a

beautiful tower but

also a zip line even

a wheelchair

bound climber

could experience.

Through all the gen-

erous donation of

money, time and materi-

al, a 40 foot climbing tower

and 325 foot zip line was

built at Lions Bear Lake

Camp. I am very proud of

each camper that approach-

es the tower with determi-

nation to conquer their

fears or challenge their pre

conceived abilities. We had

a wonderful 2013 and I am

looking forward to 2014.”

Lions Bear Lake Camp

would like to thank every-

one that helped participate

in this project, from those

of you that made donations

to the ones that donated

their time. We would like

to give a special thanks to a

huge supporter of Lions

Bear Lake Camp, Delores

Charles and to the Greater

Lansing Foundation. With-

out all of your support this

project would not have

been possible.

Contributed by

Christina Wills,

Office Manager

3409 N. Five Lakes Rd.

Lapeer, MI 48446

Phone: 810.245.0726

Fax: 810.245.0750

www.bearlakecamp.org

LIONS

BEAR LAKE CAMP

Camp Wish List

Mark Your Calendar

For a Fun Event

Annual Golf Outing

May 18, 2014

We’re on the web

www.bearlakecamp.org

Lions Bear Lake Camp

3409 N. Five Lakes Rd. Lapeer, MI 48446

Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization

10 ft. Portable Shade $3,000

Universally Accessible Paddle Boat $2,800

Tents (3) $350

Archery Bows and Arrows $200

Basic Medical Supplies $500

Visual Impaired Games $500

Books for Deaf and Hard of Hearing $350

Camper Shirts $700

$200

$200

$100

$400

$200

$100

$500

$200

$25

8 foot tables

$40

Climbing Rope

Microwave Oven

Office Chairs (2))

File Cabinet

Life Jacktes (4)

Nature Center Equipment

Arts Center Supplies

Window blinds

Case of copy paper