Everyone had a lot of fun at our 2015 Family Fun Day and Concerts in the Canyon!
In total, we raised more than $17,500 to help support Camp K’s year-round programs – benefiting our amazing campers.
At Camp K, we’ve made it our mission for close to 50 years to improve the lives of people with disabilities, by helping them access and enjoy their community, the arts, sports, education, and adaptive recreation in the great outdoors. We also encourage them to stretch their imaginations, teach practical life skills, maximize their potential for independence, and build healthy bodies, minds, and spirits.
Photos from the events are posted to our Facebook page:
Videos from the concerts are on our YouTube Channel:
On Saturday, Camp K hosted our annual Family Fun Day and Concert in the Canyon. More than 400 people spent the day at Camp K, enjoying everything that Camp K has to offer, including horseback riding, ropes course, swimming, fishing, and field games, plus a BBQ, face painting, and bounce house for the kids. Scott Helmer also performed – which was especially a hit with the kids, as they danced on and around the stage.
Photos from this event can be viewed here
We would like to thank Scott Helmer, our amazing staff, and our sponsors for helping us make this a wonderful day for everyone! We would also like to thank Jazz Bear, Lil’ Bear, and Dustin Kasai and the Heroes of Kids Heroes Foundation for adding their magic to the day.
On Friday night, Camp K hosted a VIP Dinner and Concert. About 100 people joined us for an evening of great food, music, and fun!
Red Rock Brewery provided a wonderful dinner and drinks, and Scott Helmer delivered an amazing concert – he had everyone on their feet dancing!
Photos can be viewed here:
We would like to thank Red Rock Brewery, Scott Helmer, and our sponsors for helping us make this a memorable event! We would also like to thank Craig Paller for the sound system, Cactus & Tropicals for the flowers, and Aimee McConkie of Milcreek Venture Out for the stage.
Camp K would like to thank Larry H. Miller Charities for their generous grant of $10,000, for our Summer Camp Scholarships. This grant helps us achieve our goal of providing our services to all people, regardless of ability level, income, or place of residence.
Because of the generosity of Larry H. Miller Charities, we are able to provide a Scholarship for 20 campers to attend Summer Camp.
During Summer Camp, campers participate in a variety of activities, including riding horses, swimming, fishing, traversing a high/low ropes course, climbing wall, arts and crafts, nature, sports, games, and much more. We also encourage them to stretch their imaginations, learn practical life skills, maximize their potential for independence, and build healthy bodies, minds, and spirits. The benefits from our programs create a ripple-effect, impacting not only their lives, but the lives of their families, friends, and ultimately our entire community.
Employees from KeyBank Utah selected Camp K as one of their projects for their 25th annual “Neighbors Make a Difference Day”. 15 employees donated their time and talents at Camp K, including Utah Market President Terry Grant, who also serves on Camp K’s Board of Directors.
Projects completed include planting new flowers, spreading mulch, cleaning/painting equestrian equipment, and other projects which helped Camp K prepare for Summer Camp.
KeyBank Utah also presented Camp K with a $500 check, which was used to purchase the supplies for these projects.
Thanks, KeyBank, for your support!
We are excited to partner with Medical Review Institute of America (MRIoA). 
MRIoA has pledged to raise $25,000 through fundraising and donations, to purchase a new Yurt for Camp K. They have also committed to several service projects during 2015.
On April 25, 20 employees from MRIoA came to Camp K for their first service project. They dug the trench for the electrical supply to the Yurt, built retaining walls, and spread gravel and mulch around the Yurt.
Camp K appreciates MRIoA for everything they are doing to help Camp K.
The Kostopulos Dream Foundation has gone through many changes and additions in the past forty years; however, our mission statement still reflects the original vision of the founding members. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through education, recreation and growth opportunities. Our goal is to make our services available to all people, regardless of ability level, gender, sexual persuasion, ethnic background, income, or place of residence. With the continued support of the community and donors, we will keep the original dream alive. Together We Dream, Together We Do!
On May 1st, we hosted our Annual “Send a Kid to Camp” Gala, and it was a tremendous success! Thanks to all of our staff, Board of Directors, sponsors, and community for supporting this event. This was the best Gala we have had – and we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you!
Congratulations to the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the 2015 recipient of Camp K’s Children’s Humanitarian Award. We are very grateful for the support that they have provided to Camp K, and to our entire community.
This year, Camp K started a new tradition. Every year we will choose an Ambassador who will represent our agency. This year, our Ambassador is Celina. She has Cerebral Palsy, and has been coming to Camp K for several years. Her mom told us that Camp K has given Celina a rewarding environment in which to grow, and has helped her find herself. Celina said, “When I come to Camp, I feel like I have no wheelchair.” You can watch her speech, as well as the other speakers here.
Photos from the Gala can be seen on our Facebook page. A new video was created for our Gala, and we are proud to share it with everyone. Please click here to watch the video.
We are looking forward to Summer Camp, which starts on June 1st. Training for our new summer staff started this week. Counselors from all over the country joined us to put together the best summer camp experience our campers enjoyed so far. We look forward to welcoming our campers for another awesome summer.
Over the years, we have had a lot of amazing staff who worked at Camp K. I cannot say enough about all the staff who have worked so hard since the beginning of this camp. They come to work each day with a desire to make a difference in someone’s life.
Camp K would not be what it is today without all the volunteers that have given uncounted hours of service to our agency. After volunteering with our participants, they go away with a new outlook on life. They learn to accept people, regardless of their differences and, to their surprise, actually find that they have learned more from our participants than anything else. All of our volunteers learn that service to others brings balance in all of our lives.
Since the beginning of camp, many Board Members have been the stewards and supporters of Camp K. They deserve to be applauded for their work. They contribute their time, financial means, resources, and expertise. In addition to these volunteers, thanks go out to our friends, family, business partners, other partner agencies, and all those who have given in so many ways to support and make possible each growing, successful year at Camp K.
During my tenure with KDF, I have seen firsthand the impact that our services have on both the population we serve and their respective families. When appointed as the President and CEO, I said “it is my commitment to make our services available to new populations in an effort to provide them with experiences developed to enhance their lives. My personal goal is to create a nonprofit organization that is best in class, and one that provides a benchmark to other nonprofit organizations that serve the special needs population. My personal aspiration is that other organizations will pay it forward, further develop a successful nonprofit model, and share their learnings, so that together we continue to serve our communities around the world.”
I am proud to say that this year, we will host two weeks of camp for children with Muscular Dystrophy, in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy Association. We will are also provide seven weeks of Partner Day Camp for children without disabilities. Part of our mission is to provide education about people with disabilities and special needs to the general population. Our partner camps will do just that. Our campers with disabilities now have the opportunity to share camp with their non-disabled siblings. We feel really good about this new opportunity for parents who have children with and without disabilities to be able to bring their children to the same camp.
Kids without disabilities who attend our partner camps will be sharing our facilities with our campers who have cognitive and physical disabilities. They will learn that people with disabilities are just like them – they just have different challenges and abilities! Everyone loves to have fun, learn, and play!
We have partnered with many great organizations to provide a 2-in-1 camping experience for kids in elementary school, without special needs. We believe in inclusion, and want all members of the community to have the opportunity to come to Camp K! At our partner camps, the kids spend half their time at the community partner’s facility (art schools, museums, gardens, universities, and more), and half their time at Camp K participating in outdoor learning adventures and nature education. We switch sites in the middle of the day so that the campers can get the best of both worlds! Our partners for this summer are Natural History Museum, Red Butte Gardens, Tanner Dance, University of Utah Youth Education and Bad Dog Arts.
We have some great events coming up. First is a VIP Dinner and Concert with Scott Helmer on May 29th. For a limited time only, we are running a special promotion where you can get 2 tickets for the price of 1!Dinner and Social hour begins at 5:30 pm, and will be provided by Red Rock Brewery. Beer, wine, soda, and water are included. To purchase tickets: www.campk.org/concert
On May 30, we will host our Annual Family Fun Day and Concert in the Canyon. Bring your families to participate in the activities that Camp K offers. Scott Helmer is coming to Camp K again this year, as a part of his “Support Your Cause” Tour, where he is helping charities raise $1 million. More information is available on our website, at www.campk.org/family-fun-day
“Together we dream, together we do.”
President and CEO
We are happy to announce that Jamie Blaisdell joined the Camp K team as our new Program Manager. She graduated from the University of Utah in April 2013, after studying Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, with an emphasis in Recreation Therapy, and received her CTRS shortly after. She completed an internship with Primary Children’s Medical Center for residential therapy, and worked as a Recreational Therapist for Salt Lake Behavioral Health. Jamie also worked as a Recreation Coordinator for Marriott’s Summit Watch in Park City, Utah, before joining Camp K.
In her extra time, she volunteers in the community. She is passionate about recreation and the outdoors. Some of her favorites include hiking, camping, tennis, and travel.
On April 24, 125 employees from the Larry H Miller Companies came to Camp K, for their Annual Day of Service. These wonderful volunteers helped us get our 25-acre property ready for the summer by pulling weeds, planting new trees and shrubs, spreading mulch in flowerbeds and on trails, power-washing stalls in the equestrian center, painting, and other tasks.
We are also grateful that Greg Miller donated the use of his Bobcat (Mustang) and his expertise to help the team achieve amazing results during this Day of Service.
We also received a $3,500 donation from the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, which helped us purchase the supplies necessary to prepare and improve our property.
We appreciate all of their hard work. Thank you for choosing Camp K for your Day of Service!
On April 22, employees from Questar gathered at Camp K to help build a new Yurt. One of the members of this team was Gary Stidham, who serves on the Board of Directors for Camp K.
In the morning, this team started with a bare concrete slab – and by the end of the afternoon, the Yurt was nearly complete. The addition of this Yurt expands the space where Camp K provides activities and services.
We appreciate the Questar employees for their dedication, skill, and willingness to help out. Our volunteers make it possible for Camp K to fulfill our mission.
Our 2015 “Send a Kid to Camp” Gala was a great success! Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, attendees, volunteers, staff, and community for helping us make this evening wonderful!
Together, we were able to raise more than $135,000 for our amazing campers. We were so proud to hear from our 2015 Camp K Ambassador Celina. She shared with us the tremendous impact that Camp K has had on her life.
At Camp K, we’ve made it our mission for close to 50 years to improve the lives of people with disabilities, by helping them access and enjoy their community, the arts, sports, education, and adaptive recreation in the great outdoors. We also encourage them to stretch their imaginations, teach practical life skills, maximize their potential for independence, and build healthy bodies, minds, and spirits.
Photos from the Gala can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/CampKostopulos
Our President and CEO, Mircea Divricean, was featured in the American Camp Association’s Southwest Newsletter in April.
It Takes A Village!
Mircea has a conviction for leading innovative partnerships to build a sustainable, collective social impact in our community – and Mircea is here to do just that for the Southwest Local Council of Leaders. Mircea is dedicated to the mission of ACA and wants nothing more than to be one of the many building blocks that are coming together to grow the strength and presence of the Southwest Local Office. He is committed to helping grow the membership of the Southwest through networking, events, and communication.
Mircea knows that it takes a village to truly get things done! Are you interested in helping Mircea bring on more members of our great organization? The more Individual Members, Member Camps, and Accredited Camps that we can bring in to the ACA the more opportunities we can offer for our community through the camp experience, professional development, and member resources.
Click here for the full newsletter.
Spring has arrived here at Camp K, and there is a lot for us to look forward to!
We are proud to announce that we have been Accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) again in 2015. This accreditation is evidence of our commitment to remaining in compliance with the ACA’s standards for health, safety, and risk management. I am honored to serve as the Southwest Membership Chair for the ACA. This month, I am honored to be featured in their newsletter, as “It Takes a Village” to build a sustainable, collective social impact in our community.
We are gearing up for an exciting Summer Camp Season, where we will build lasting relationships, stretch our imagination, challenge our potential, and create unforgettable memories. We are preparing our property and facilities, hiring and training staff, registering wonderful campers, and creating new activities.
Recently, we received an email from a former camper, Ashley Vacanti, which reminded us how important Camp K is in the lives of our campers. She said, “When I went to Camp Kostopulos for the NF Week several years in a row, it changed my life for the better. I found myself and became a confident person and along the way I made a lot of friends and I’m still friends with some of those people today. So thankful Camp K exists!”
We still have openings for Summer Camp positions. Jobs include assistant program coordinators, camp counselors, group leaders, lifeguards, cooks, nurses, and support staff. If you know anybody who is interested in a summer job, working in an environment where they will have the opportunity to change lives and make a difference in our community, please send them to this link: https://www.campk.org/employment/summer-camp
Our signature event of the year is approaching, and we look forward to seeing everyone at our 27th Annual “Send a Kid to Camp” Gala on May 1. This event will be a lot of fun, with entertainment, dinner, and much more. For more information, please visit: www.campk.org/gala
President and CEO
We are happy to announce that Kristy King has joined the Camp K team as our new Program Coordinator. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in December, 2013, with a dual degree in Therapeutic and Outdoor Recreation. She received her Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) endorsement in 2014. She completed her internship at Bradford Woods, in Indiana, where she worked with various ages and populations with disabilities in an outdoor camp setting. At Bradford Woods, she ultimately fell in love with helping others in the great outdoors, and also gained extensive knowledge in adaptive programs and equipment.
Kristy also worked as a Wilderness Therapy Guide for Aspiro, in Mount Pleasant, Utah. In that role, she guided youth and adults from various backgrounds in activities such as mountain biking, climbing, skiing, and backpacking.
In her spare time, Kristy is a foodie, film lover, avid animal lover, and reader. She also enjoys biking, roller blading, climbing, and travelling.
Enter to win a Travel Package, which includes:
Winner to select from one (1) of the following Grand Mayan Resort properties:
Grand Mayan Los Cabos | Grand Bliss Nuevo Vallarta | Mayan Palace Nuevo Vallarta | Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta | Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta | Grand Mayan Riviera Maya | Grand Mayan Riviera Maya | Grand Luxxe Riviera Maya | Grand Bliss Riviera Maya | Mayan Palace Riviera Maya
$25 = One Opportunity* — $100 = Five Opportunities*
*Suggested Donation Amount
Drawing will be held during the “Send a Kid to Camp” Annual Gala, May 1, 2015.
Tickets are available in advance at: www.campk.org/gala. Tickets will also be available for purchase the night of the Gala.
Winner need not be present to win.