President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis; First Lady of Romania, Carmen Iohannis; President and CEO of Kostopulos Dream Foundation, Mircea Divricean
What is SUCCESS? For some reason, the word “success” is one of the most important and used words in the world. Success describes the results of every simple activity we do on a small scale, and on a larger scale, describes our lives as a whole. Although there are over seven billion definitions of success, basically every single person on the planet has their own definition for success. We all agree to understand what success means when we talk about it. There are no two people the same on this planet, every single one of us has very different paths to learning and to experiencing life. Therefore, we all see and feel the world through our own lenses. The more we travel the world, and the more we get in contact with people from different backgrounds, we understand how small we really are as individuals. We all walk through life differently – however, all of us would like to say in the end that we lived a successful life. Success, again, might have different meanings to all of us.
In my humble opinion, being born and raised in a small city, having traveled around the world, having lived half my life on one continent and half on another, the differences that we make that count are the ones made in our own communities, in our own circles, in our own neighborhoods. I was blessed, at a young age, to have the opportunity to be around people with special needs and disabilities. That gave me such a deep understanding of our purpose in this world. We all come from different backgrounds and different beliefs. We all have different abilities, and we all wish for different things. However, we all want to make a difference, to leave our mark on society. We all want to make our parents proud. Well . . . people with special needs and disabilities are no different. They want the same things we all do. All people who have become successful in this life, at some point or another, they had someone believe in them, they had someone tell them they are amazing, and that they will accomplish great things. That is the seed of success. That was a seed planted in those individuals by someone, be it a parent, a coach, a teacher or somebody else. People with special needs and disabilities are no different, they want to be successful, they want to participate, they want to make their parents and communities proud – just like all of us. Unfortunately, our societies have not always been very supportive of them. It seems that we are afraid of what we don’t know. I invite and challenge you to stop being afraid. Please get involved, and be the change you would like to see in the world! Plant a seed of confidence, and support in the lives of people with special needs and disabilities. Believe in them, and they will surprise you by what they will be able to do. If you don’t know where to start, start with us here at Camp K: become a volunteer, become a supporter, and you will start seeing the world with different eyes. It will be like the stage of life has pulled the curtains, and the show is just starting. We are launching several new programs here at Camp K, where children without disabilities will interact with children who have disabilities, so that they understand at an early age that we not all that different. We should play, interact and help each other out – regardless of our abilities.
I have lived a blessed life. I am extremely grateful and thankful for all the enriching experiences and opportunities that I have had so far. They all molded me into what I am today. I have worked for a foundation that inspires support, confidence, and inclusion. A place that searches past our looks, and reaches deep inside into our souls to challenge us to become better people. Over the years, we have hired thousands of employees, we have had thousands of volunteers. I promise you, some of the deepest and most inspirational moments in their lives have been while serving at Camp K. It has been an honor and privilege to have worked for Camp K all these years. It reminds me every day of all the good we have in the world. I have said this before, and I will say it again: people with disabilities are amazing people, when it comes to kindness, honesty, bravery, selflessness and understanding we have a lot to learn from them. So please don’t be afraid. Get involved! And I promise you, it will change your life.
Last Friday, I was invited by the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, George Maior, to welcome the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis and the First Lady Carmen Iohannis for their first visit to Washington DC with the Romanian community. It was such an honor and privilege to welcome them, to meet them, and to represent Camp K and our State of Utah to DC. I can say the First Lady is a very warm person, and wanted to learn more about our state of Utah. I have dedicated my life to service, and I appreciate all people who dedicate their lives to service of others. Although there are not many ethnics from Romania who live in Utah, I know Utah has a lot of love and appreciation for Romania. Many Utah residents have served an LDS mission in Romania during the last 25 years. I know our Attorney General, Sean Reyes who serves on our Advisory Board, has appreciation for Romania because his wife served a mission over there. So did the son-in-law of our Governor, Gary Herbert. And, very important for me, one of my dear friends and mentors, also a member of our Advisory Board, Clark Ivory now serves as the President of the LDS Mission in Romania. I will take this opportunity to thank him for his service to the people of Romania! Thank you Clark and Christine for your service and dedication!
I have lived in Utah now for over fifteen years, and I love our state. I love our people, and our culture. We certainly live in one of the best places on earth. I have worked and served all these years at Camp K. I love our community, and I am extremely grateful for such a dedicated community towards service. Camp K is so great because of the community we live in. I will take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, supporters, board members and donors!
A couple of weeks ago I was at a function and one of my friends, Lew Cramer, former President and CEO of World Trade Center, currently the President and CEO of Coldwell Banker’s said something very flattering. He turned to me and Mike, our COO, who’s been serving at Camp K for over 10 years and said: “You two are the best imports to Utah since Stockton and Malone”. I appreciate Lew very much for his very kind words!
I will end this post by thanking our staff for all their dedication to our most amazing students. Finally, I would like to thank our students, and their respective families, for putting their trust in us to provide them with our programs as we strive to have an impact on their lives.
Kostopulos Dream Foundation has been selected as a charity in the 7th annual ‘IKEA Life Improvement Challenge’ – a program that gives Kostopulos Dream Foundation the chance to win a makeover from IKEA Draper. This makeover will help us redesign and update our Lodge to create a space that is functional, inviting and well-designed – a place our community and students can feel welcome and comfortable.
There are 6 days left! Please help us win this challenge by voting every day, from now until April 10. To vote, click the button below, enter your email address, select Utah, then vote for Kostopulos Dream Foundation.
Kostopulos Dream Foundation was spotlighted by SelectHealth and KSL NewsRadio during the week of April 4, 2016, as a part of their Utah Gives Back program. You can listen each morning during the week of April 4, at 8:27 a.m., on 102.7 FM, to hear the audio. Or, click below to listen now.
Since 1967, Kostopulos Dream Foundation (known as Camp Kostopulos) has been dedicated to improving the lives of people of all abilities through education, recreation, and growth opportunities. Services are available to everyone, including those with physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments, as well as special medical needs. Their year-round programs provide opportunities for participants to improve physical fitness levels, learn healthy lifestyle skills, access the great outdoors, and foster independence. Camp Kostopulos’ longest running program is Summer Camp, where kids, teens, and adults with disabilities or special medical needs experience a 5-day adventure. Residential and day campers fish, swim, ride horses, hike, traverse the high ropes course, and create arts and crafts projects. Camp Kostopulos also offers many additional programs to help students gain independence and build self-esteem. Join them at their 28th annual “Send A Kid To Camp” Gala on Friday, May 6th. Visit www.campk.org for more information. SelectHealth recognizes the inclusive opportunities provided by the Kostopulos Dream Foundation as another example of how Utah Gives Back.
We are proud to announce that Camp K received our 5th consecutive Safety 1st award from Markel Insurance.
The Safety 1st award recognizes Markel’s policyholders who have shown an exceptional commitment to the safety of their employees and customers.
Michael Swain, Senior Loss Control Specialist for Markel Specialty, stated, “Camps and clubs must meet stringent criteria to qualify for the Safety 1st designation. They must have a proven safety record, undergo formal assessments and inspections, and participate in continuing education and certification programs. These facilities deserve to be recognized for keeping safety a top priority.”
The team at Camp K is making the final plans for Summer Camp 2016! This Summer will be the best summer ever! We are excited to announce some new and exciting additions to our Summer Camp activities!
On Monday mornings, volunteers from Intermountain Therapy Animals will be at Camp K. Their dogs and cats will help us welcome all campers as the arrive at camp, and keep them company during the check-in process.
Once each week, representatives from Hogle Zoo will bring an animal encounter to Camp K. Our campers will be able to see, interact with, and learn about some of the animals at Hogle Zoo.
The First Tee of Utah will be providing a golfing activity each week. In this program, campers will learn to set goals, manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and communicate with others – all while learning about golf!
ProBar will bring a team of Food Scientists to Camp K each week for an interactive healthy eating session. Campers will learn about nutrition, and will build their own food bars!
There will also be new parties, celebrations, and traditions! We look forward to sharing more about these activities throughout the summer!
Saundie and Bill Stone have been supporting Camp Kostopulos’ mission and values for several years. They are always willing to help out, and are deeply appreciated by our staff.
Bill served on our Board of Directors. Together, Saundie and Bill have volunteered at our Equestrian Center, side-walking during lessons to help ensure the safety of our riders. They have helped our staff during our Community Education and Summer Camp activities. And, they have helped us many times with folding and addressing our mailers for our activities and other events.
Saundie and Bill are not only great volunteers, but they are great people! From seeing them interact with our students, to engaging in meaningful conversation about life, it is apparent that they genuinely care about others around them. They are also excellent role models for our new volunteers.
Thank you, Bill & Saundie!!!
Duke is a 20 year-old Quarter Horse who joined our herd in the spring of 2015. Before Duke came to Camp K, he was a “husband babysitter” for a horse centered family. He quickly settled into life at Camp K, and is a favorite of our students who appreciate his quirky demeanor and desire for attention. Duke can often be found with his head out of his stall door, looking for a student who might have a few treats in their pocket. He also spends time hanging out with his best bud, Jazz, as the barn’s resident “golden oldies.”
Duke is the favorite for many of our students, but one of his favorites is Charlie Warren. In their lessons, Charlie and Duke like to work on trotting, steering, and trail rides. Duke is also frequently used for our on-the-ground therapeutic horsemanship programs with the University of Utah. Duke’s calm, welcoming demeanor helps to place participants at ease.
Duke also entertained our guests in 2015 Halloween Fun Show, in his debut as the “Skeleton Horse”.
Kostopulos Dream Foundation is making a difference within our community in many ways. We participate in the Blue Sky program, and have solar panels on the roof of our Equestrian Center. Together, we are driving more renewable energy generation within our community.
During 2015, we reduced Camp K’s CO2 emissions by 10,738 pounds. This is comparable to not driving 11,588 miles, or planting 126 trees.
We look forward to expanding this program in the future, by adding more solar panels on our campus. We are committed to preserving and sustaining a healthy environment.
We are happy to announce that Kayla Gazdik joined the Camp K team as our newest Program Coordinator.
Kayla graduated from Brigham Young University in December, 2015, with a degree in Recreation Management and Youth Leadership, with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. She received her Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) endorsement in 2016.
Kayla completed her internship at Camp K in 2015. She liked Camp K so much that she wanted to stay! She applied for an open position, and we hired her. She is passionate about promoting recreational, social, and outdoor experiences for people of all abilities. Camp K is grateful to have her on our team.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, kickboxing, tennis, traveling, and enjoying good food.
Mae West said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” I believe that I have been blessed to have the opportunity to be involved in Camp K for more than 18 years now, and to have the unique opportunity to play a role in enhancing the quality of life for so many people and families. When I was 18 years old, in Romania, I enrolled in an exchange program. That same summer, while in college studying to become a banker, I ended up being a counselor at Camp K in Utah. I had not been around people with disabilities before that time. However, that opportunity, that summer, completely changed who I am today. That was one of those moments when you make choices, and the path of your life changes. I consider that moment to be the turning moment in my life, and an experience that I would not change for anything in the world. Getting to know, and getting to work for, people with special needs and disabilities has enhanced my vision on human nature and the human heart. Who are we, where do we belong, and why are we here? I certainly believe that living half my life in Europe and half my life in United States has given me an opportunity to understand different cultures and different lifestyles. People are people – it doesn’t matter where you go around the world. Everyone just wants to have a better life, and make a difference in the world. People with special needs and disabilities are definitely no different.
We all define success in different ways, and success does come in all sizes, forms, and shapes. However, encouraging and giving hope, bringing hope to people with special needs and disabilities during our interactions with them (just like they bring hope back to us), and working to make a difference in someone’s life every day is certainly a form of success. I believe I have been blessed, and I am humbled by the opportunity to work for Camp K, and to represent Camp K as the CEO. I am excited to help create the vision of what our world needs to look like in 5, 10, 15 years from now in regards to inclusion, and services that people with special needs and disabilities should have in our communities. Every person who has achieved success in the world has had at least one person in their life who believed in them, gave them hope, gave them support. In regards to participants at Camp K, it is no different. They need someone who believes in them, gives them hope, and support. Camp K would not be successful without all of the wonderful supporters, volunteers, board members, and donors who build bridges and create success every day for our agency and participants.
Once a year, Camp K holds our annual fundraising event, the “Send a Kid to Camp” Gala, designed to help us build our scholarship fund for the summer. Disability is the number one cause for poverty, and people with disabilities need our support to be successful and independent withinin our communities. Camp K believes in inclusion, and works hard to provide those opportunities for everybody, and to provide scholarships to those who need it most.
Last year, our gala was the most successful ever. We had a lot of fun, and we had a lot of great auction items – silent and live, small and large, trips all over the world, a lot of fun baskets. We want to thank everyone who helped us make the gala a huge success. I want to thank Don Hudson – he and ABC 4 Utah have been amazing ambassadors for our agency. Don Hudson was our emcee last year, and he is coming back to emcee again this year. I want to thank the Sorenson Family for all of their continued support, who came to our gala last year and were honored with the Children’s Humanitarian Award. I want to thank Celina Jensen, our 2015/2016 Ambassador, who is getting ready to pass on the title to a new Ambassador at the Gala.
This is a call to action to our community to come support us on May 6, and to have an amazing time while making a difference. The Dalai Lama said, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room.” The trouble is, we think we have time. Life goes by extremely fast. If you want to make a difference in someone’s life, you can by supporting Camp K. Please come join us on May 6, and be the voice of people with disabilities, and inclusion, around the world.
Help us make 2016 the best year in Camp K’s history!
Click here for more information.
“Together we dream, together we do.”
Space is limited! Sign up today!
Join Camp K for the exciting 2016 Summer Camp Season! Rekindle friendships from last year, build new friendships, ride horses, climb/traverse the high ropes course, explore and learn about nature, swim, fish, canoe, hike, and many other fun activities!
There will be many new, exciting activities added to our Summer Camp! Look forward to our next newsletter to learn what is coming! Summer Camp 2016 will be the BEST summer in the history of Camp K!
Camp K offers 4 different Summer Camp Programs:
Residential and Day camps take place on our 25-acre campus in Emigration Canyon, where campers interact with and ride horses, climb/traverse the high ropes course, explore and learn about nature, swim, fish, canoe, hike, and many other fun, recreational activities.
Trip campers journey to local destinations, or nearby sites of National, historic, or scenic interest, including destinations such as Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Zions National Park, Moab, and Bear Lake.
Partner Camp offers opportunities for kids our partner’s Day Camps to spend half of the day participating in Camp K’s activities, and the other half of the day at the partner’s facility. Partners for 2016 include Natural History Museum, Bad Dog Arts, Tracy Aviary, U of U youth programs, Red Butte Gardens, Hogle Zoo, and This is the Place.
** Registrations are processed in the order they are received.
Camp K is proud to host American Camp Association’s (ACA) Spring Training and Networking Event, on March 16, 2016.
This event is designed for New & Seasoned Camp Directors, Parks and Recreation Professionals, and Youth Development Professionals. Whether you run day camp, resident camp, or specialized summer activities, this day will provide all levels of professionals with great opportunities for learning, networking, and preparing for summer 2016!
The New Director Orientation (NDO) is a special 6 hour course (6 CECs) for seasonal or new camp directors, assistant directors, program directors, or persons that have been in other administrative positions and are considering directing a camp. The NDO course helps directors and supervisors develop the skills they need to be effective leaders for their camp program. The course covers five critical areas: camp management leadership, risk management, camper behavior, staff training, and staff supervision.
The Business of Camp Seminar (BOC) is designed for camp directors, administrators, and their staff. The seminar will discuss trends in camp and will provide easy “take-aways” for participants for the summer of 2016.
Featured Speakers:
Danielle Timmerman, University of Utah – Unstructured Play in Camp
Danielle Timmerman’s history is wrapped around camp. At an early age, she knew she wanted to work in the camp industry so pursued degrees in Outdoor Recreation and Administration to make her a better camp professional. She has served in many roles within the profession but currently teaches at the University of Utah preparing the next generation of camp professional. Danielle professional experience includes directing a day and residential YMCA camp, spearheading education initiatives with the National Recreation and Park Association, building partnerships around play with KaBOOM! and teaching at nationally accredited Universities.
Jim Sibthorp, University of Utah – ACA’s Youth Outcomes Battery
Jim Sibthorp is a professor at the University of Utah in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. He teaches courses on youth programming, outdoor education, and research design and analysis. Jim’s current research focuses on youth development through outdoor and adventure programming. Through his work with both the American Camp Association (ACA) and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Jim continues to design, implement, and translate studies that bridge research and practice. Jim has written extensively on topics involving outdoor and adventure education and is the Coordinator of the Adventure and Outdoor Programs Emphasis at the University.
Greg Hughes, Utah Speaker of the House – Outdoor Recreation and Youth in Legislation
Utah Speaker of the House Greg Hughes resides in Draper, Utah with his wife Krista and their three children. After a childhood in Pittsburg, PA, he moved to Utah to work on a political campaign and ended up staying. He attended Utah Valley State College and Brigham Young University. He is a small business owner, working in real estate development and property management. Hughes was first elected to the Utah Legislature in 2002. In 2010 he was elected Majority Whip in House Leadership and in 2014 was elected Speaker of the Utah House.
Camp Connections will happen after the speakers, and is our time as a camp community to connect, network, share ideas, discuss common issues and enjoy each other’s company. NDO participants are welcome to stay and join the Business of Camp Seminar at no extra charge. Snacks and appetizers provided during this time. Participants who are members of ACA will receive 2 CEC’s for attending.
This event is FREE for ACA members or $45 for non-members. Not a member yet? Take advantage of ACA’s trial one-year free membership.
Want to join us from out of town? Not a problem! Camp K has generously offered to provide overnight accommodations, either the night before or after the event, for additional $15.00 per person (lodging/no meals). Participants must bring their own bedding and towels. To arrange accommodations, please contact Mircea Divricean directly.
Not a member yet? Take advantage of ACA’s one-year free trial membership. Members receive a discounted rate for this event registration, so sign up today!
