Scott Helmer will break the Guinness World Records title for Most Live Concerts in 24 Hours on #GivingTuesday – December 1, 2015 – to benefit Camp K
Independent touring and recording artist, Scott Helmer, plans to break the Guinness World Records title for Most Live Concerts in 24 hours on December 1, 2015 – a date that coincides with #GivingTuesday. His goal is to raise $1 Million for Kostopulos Dream Foundation, home of Camp K. All money will be used exclusively by Camp K to improve facilities, ensuring that Camp K can continue to provide high quality service in a safe environment for people with disabilities and special needs. Additionally, Scott and Camp K will raise awareness about the unique needs, challenges, and abilities of people with disabilities throughout the world.
Camp K is near and dear to Scott’s heart. He first visited Camp K in 2014, and was impressed by the Camp K’s mission, setting, staff, and campers. Scott shares a message of hope and of overcoming challenges. His message goes hand-in-hand with Camp K’s message, where people with disabilities and special needs are encouraged to overcome their challenges and accomplish things that they never before believed possible. At Camp K, everyone CAN!
Video produced by Don Hudson and ABC 4 Utah
Here is how this event will work:
Scott’s full Press Release can be viewed here.
Click on the story below to view the TV news video.
As summer camp comes to a close, I would like to reflect on what we have accomplished so far here at the camp this season. With 4 weeks of summer camp left, we have served a record of 700 campers so far. Our campers represent all ages and all abilities; they come from different socio-economic backgrounds and geographical areas. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and special needs through education, recreation and growth experiences which promote personal growth and foster independence.
Last week, Don Hudson of ABC4, came to camp and interviewed our campers. He asked me at the end of our visit, “What moves you here at the camp?” In February, Utah Business presented me with the “Forty Under 40” recognition and asked, “Who is your hero”?
My heroes are all of the campers we serve here at the camp. I get my inspiration from all the wonderful campers who, despite their challenges, go through life with courage, determination, and love. I learn so much from our campers. They are the ones who move me every day.
Mircea and Jullian
I will share with you today a story, the story of Jullian. Jullian has NeuroFibromatosis (NF), a disorder that affects 1 in 3,000 babies. Today, Julian is 20 years old. He has been coming to Camp K for about 10 years. Several of our campers with NF come from communities where there are not many other children with NF; so they have to endure a lot of misunderstanding, bullying and hardship because of this situation. When they come to Camp K, there is a good chance that it is the first time they get to meet somebody else who has the same disorder as they have. Our NF campers come from all parts of the world. Jullian is from Canada.
NF is a disorder that causes the growth of tumors at the end of nerve cells. They can grow anywhere in the body, inside or outside, on the skin. Most of the children have several surgeries in order to remove the tumors, depending where the tumors grow. Jullian has been coming to camp every year where he feels loved, accepted, normal and independent. When I met him the first time, I couldn’t tell that he had a disability. As the years went by, he came to camp in a leg brace. Two years ago, when I picked him up at the airport, he was in a wheelchair. Every year, he comes joyous and excited to do all the activities at Camp K, where there are no limits. At Camp K everybody “can”, there is no “can’t”.
Two years ago, Jullian’s mom came with him to Salt Lake City. At the end of the week, she came into my office to thank me, and to tell me that right after camp he will go home to have another surgery. She started crying. She said, “Julian will have his leg amputated.” Julian missed camp last summer due to his recovery, but I was so excited to see that he was going to join us again this summer to enjoy everything Camp K has to offer: joy, independence, friends, understanding. Julian came to camp last week, and what an amazing week he had. He was able to participate in all the amazing activities that we have here at the camp. We were so amazed to see him climb the ropes course and the climbing wall, ride the horses and go swimming. Please watch this short video to see Jullian. You can also see pictures from our NF Camp last week here.
Jullian is my hero; he is an inspiration to me. When I asked him last week, how many surgeries he had so far, he responded: “8 or 10, I lost count Mircea, it doesn’t matter”. He is an amazing human being who we have so much to learn from.
Please watch this video from Madeline to sum up in 30 seconds last week of camp.
Disability is the number one cause for poverty. More than 50% of our population comes from families making less than $25,000 per year. We work really hard so we can provide scholarships to make our services available to all. I would love to ask you to join us in support of our mission as we continue providing great services to people like Julian. This is Camp K.
Seven, Bonsai, Howie, Alpine, Willow, Grizzly, Ducky, Kombucha, Cheddar, Phoenix
This year, Camp K welcomed our 18th National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) AmeriCorps Team. This amazing team of 10 was a valuable part of our Summer Camp Staff during the months of June and July.
We are grateful for the service that they provided for our campers this year. We also appreciate the unique perspective that they bring to Camp K, as part of their year of service.
Amanda, the team’s leader, told us that “Camp K genuinely serves as a place of growth, not only for the campers, but for every person who serves there. Our experience serving as AmeriCorps members there was no different. We laughed, we supported, we cried when the campers left at the end of the week, and we grew. What more could we ask for in a service project?”
Other members of the team also spoke of their experiences here. Parker said, “Camp K is a place where campers with varying abilities can be themselves and not feel different. That’s why my favorite part of every week was the talent show, where campers were encouraged to express themselves in front of a caring audience. It was great to see them so happy.” Christina especially liked working with the campers, and said, “My experiences and adventures while serving with Camp K were meaningful and worthwhile.”
Larry plans to return to Camp K. He said that Camp K was the best part of his AmeriCorps experience, and that it was “the perfect way to end an all around great year.”
About AmeriCorps: AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, community and faith-based groups. Since 1994, nearly 1 million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.2 billion hours in service across America. For more information about AmeriCorps, please visit: www.NationalService.gov.
Camp K has enjoyed partnering with several organizations in the community for our “Partner Camps”. Each week, we have welcomed campers from these organizations, including the Natural History Museum, Tanner Dance, Bad Dog Arts, and the University of Utah Youth Programs, and Red Butte Gardens.
The campers have the opportunity to participate in our classic Camp K activities, including swimming, horse back riding, high and low ropes course, fishing, hiking, water games, arts and crafts, skits, and making s’mores at the campfire. They also participate in some activities with Camp K’s Day Camp program, which gives them a unique opportunity to interact with our campers with special needs. We have seen some amazing success stories come from this interaction. Part of Camp K’s mission includes educating our community about the needs and special abilities of people with disabilities. Through this interaction at Camp K, these children are fortunate to learn that people with disabilities are just like them – everyone wants to have fun, be included, and just be a kid at camp.
In addition to participating in Camp K Activities, these campers were able to participate in activities designed by the partner organizations. Tanner Dance and Bad Dog Arts each offered an opportunity for the camper’s parents to visit Camp K at the end of the week, to see first-hand what their campers had learned during the week. Tanner Dance showcased their new skills in a dance performance, and Bad Dog Arts displayed all of the art projects.
The University of Utah Youth Programs offered “specialty weeks” at Camp K. The first was “Horse Camp”, where they spent extra time in the barn, and were able to groom, bathe, and ride the horses. They also learned about equestrian anatomy, and were able to paint some of our horses.
The next week was “Science Camp”, where they used binoculars and magnifying glasses to explore the nature and wildlife that visits us at Camp K. They also learned about the layers of the soil, and the anatomy of the leaves around us. They also were able to learn about fish anatomy by observing the dissection of a fish from our pond.
We look forward to seeing the campers from Red Butte Gardens in August.
Camp K would like to thank Daniel’s Fund for their generous grant, which allowed us to purchase a new Sprinter Van. This van allows Camp K to provide transportation for more participants, including those in wheelchairs.
Safe transportation is critical to fulfilling the mission at Camp K. This van has been equipped with a wheelchair lift, which enables us to safely load and transport campers who are in wheelchairs.
During Summer Camp, we provide transportation for Trip Camp, and to near-by Little Dell Reservoir for canoeing experiences. During the rest of the year, we provide transportation for all of our participants to attend our Community Based activities.
We are grateful for this van, and it will be used and loved by our campers for many years to come!
Mircea Divricean and Spencer Neeley, Modern Woodmen
Camp K would like to thank Modern Woodmen for their generous donation to the programs at Camp K.
In addition to making a cash donation to support our programs, Modern Woodmen has also contributed supplies to be used within our programs. Spencer Neeley attended Camp K’s Gala, and has visited Camp K several times this summer.
Thank you, Spencer and Modern Woodmen of America!
About Modern Woodmen of America: Modern Woodmen of America is a member-owned fraternal financial services organization. We secure futures with financial guidance and products. We touch lives with fraternalism. Since 1883, Modern Woodmen has brought people together, supported families and strengthened communities nationwide.
Mircea Divricean, President & CEO of Camp Kostopulos, discusses helping disabled children and adults with recreational therapy.
Grab your clubs! The 15th Annual Camp K Golf Classic is only a few weeks away on August 25th at the beautiful Stonebridge Golf Club in West Valley City, Utah.
If you are interested in playing, please fill out a registration form. Foursomes welcome. We also need golf-related prizes (clubs, balls, bags, etc.), corporate sponsorships and volunteers to help with registration, ticket sales, and hole games. Please contact us if you’d like to help.
Thanks again for your support. See you on the green!
Tammy Custer, from Hill Air Force Base, wrote a great article about Adventure Day at Camp K in the Hilltop Times. If you have a minute, please check it out.
Doug Wright will be broadcasting live from Camp K on June 18, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. This live broadcast will coincide with KSL and SelectHealth’s “Utah Gives Back” service project.
Doug interviewed Camp K’s President and CEO, Mircea Divricean, on air today. The full interview can be heard below.
There is still time to volunteer for the “Utah Gives Back” service project at Camp K. Please sign up, and help us beautify Camp K’s facilities, and keep our property safe for our campers. To join, please visit www.utahgivesback.com and fill out the form.
